Warriors hold off Rhinos charge

Leeds lose in Wembley showpiece for second year in a row

Last updated: 28th August 2011   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Warriors hold off Rhinos charge

Jeff Lima: two tries and the Lance Todd Trophy

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Wigan held off a spirited Leeds fightback to win the Challenge Cup 28-18 in a classic final at Wembley.

The Super League champions looked on course for a straightforward afternoon after racing into a 16-0 lead midway through the first half.

But the Rhinos scored 14 unanswered points to muscle their way back into the game and looked to have the momentum to go on and claim a shock victory.

But Jeff Lima's second try on his way to a Lance Todd Trophy-winning performance and an opportunistic effort three minutes from time from Thomas Leuluai sent the trophy back to Wigan for the first time since 2002.

Wigan made a predictably fast start and could have scored when Ryan Hoffman broke from deep and had the Leeds defence desperately scrambling back.

It was a suprise that the first try took all of 10 minutes to arrive, as Wigan finally took advantage of a kick out on the full from Danny McGuire. After the ball was shipped out to the right wing, Josh Charnley cut inside and wrong-footed the covering defenders before finishing in the corner.

Pat Richards missed the kick but Leeds were hanging on and paid for another error whan Sam Tomkins' spiralling high bomb was knocked on in the shadow of his own posts by Brent Webb.

Two plays later a delicate short pass from Steve Prescott put Lima over from two metres out and Richards stretched the lead to 10-0.

Tomkins' magic

The try of the game came with Leeds making a rare foray into Wigan territory. Sam Tomkins collected a kick and ran laterally across the advancing defenders, before jinking outside and sending his brother Joel racing clear.

The centre still had plenty to do, but fended off Ryan Hall and cut back inside Jamie Peacock to score under the posts.

At 16-0 Leeds had to score next and they did - twice.

After a high shot on Rob Burrow the ball was quickly spun out wide and Karl Ablett sent Hall sliding in at the corner.

Burrow then set up the next try on the brink of half-time, scampering from dummy-half for Ben Jones-Bishop to finish superbly in the opposite corner.

Sinfield kicked that conversion and Leeds went in six points adrift.

The second half was a tension-wracked war of attrition, but after Hoffman lost the ball close to his own line and Ablett powered over, Leeds were within two points.

But Sinfield - normally so reliable - missed again and Lima took advantage of a clear forward pass by Lee Mossop to score, with Richards stretching the lead to eight.

Rhinos roar

But back roared the Rhinos once again with nine minute left, a bullet pass from Danny McGuire putting Ryan Hall in at the corner for his 99th try for Leeds.

Suddenly Wigan looked vulnerable despite another missed kick from Sinfield. But a couple of tight knock-on decisions went their way and then the most crucial one of all - the video referee awarding Leuluai the match-winning score after he darted in from 10 yards out and managed to get a loose ball down under intense pressure.

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Comments (18)

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Robert Newby says...

As a neutral if a respected commentator JONATHAN DAVIES says the referee is favouring Wigan which i totally agree with, surley the match officials should be investigated.or is Wigan rugbys answer to Barcelona.

Posted 12:23 30th August 2011

Ian Fishwick says...

Strange no-one is mentioning any of the following: the incorrect play-the-ball by Ablett which lead to a try for Leeds, the forward pass in the build-up to Ryan Hall's first try, the second Hall try not being grounded and him being tackled into touch, the blatant fight-starting by Danny McGuire at the end of the match (When he tries to head-butt Tommy Leuluai after threatening him). Most RL fans know that you win some, you lose some, the bad decisions AT LEAST evened out, if not more in favour of Leeds rather than Wigan. At the end of the day, the best team still won. Well done to Wigan, fully deserved.

Posted 10:00 30th August 2011

Gary Wane says...

Well what a final. On edge all the way through it and I think Wigan deserved the win in the end but can see why Leeds feel hard done by. The decision for Tommy's try at the end was 50-50, I've seen them given and not given, last Saturday it went for us. And to say Ganson gave Wigan the cup on that decision is ridiculous, he's from St Helens. And Sam Tomkins needs to grow up. On his day he's one of the best players around and unstoppable. Stop being stupid and just get on with playing rugby.

Posted 09:04 30th August 2011

Neil Evans says...

Just how does a team make rugby leauge a laughing stock. Ref's and linesmen video judges ect make the desisions. we see this week in week out and some are wrong but it happens in every game to EVERY team. It seems their are alot of sour grapes hear. was the extra time penalty against cas for a high tackle correct. NO he was slaped on the chest and maguire went down like a girl. Like i said weldone to the Warriors, We all just need to get to their level

Posted 13:35 29th August 2011

Rabbit Warrior says...

please lets not let refs calls spoil what was a great win for wigan.yes jeff lima's second try WAS forward but Leeds fans take a closer look at BJB's try. the pass was also forward from watkins but no one even mentioned it on the telly. as for Leeds fans complaining of Tomkins "v"-sign, what do you expect after booing him whilst playing for his country at your ground.i bet Sinfield and Peacock although reluctant to comment would also agree that this was disgusting behaviour from a number of the Leeds supporters

Posted 13:33 29th August 2011

Peter Mosby says...

Cheated out of it..too soft a phrase. Delaney lifted above the parallel and looses ball..scrum to Wigan. Ball in touch off Charnley..scrum to Wigan. Forward pass..try to Wigan. Dropped ball rolled over by Leuluia..try to Wigan. Anybody notice the connections? Meanwhile, Tompkins does what he always does..tries to referee the game, pushes away when a Wigan player is tackled, and generally moans and groans and gives a V sign at the end.It is a shame because he is a natural talent that spoils himself by always trying to be the centre of attention. Shame on the refereeing standards of today which robbed a great occassion of a true result.

Posted 13:03 29th August 2011

Simon Jackson says...

A great game full of skill ,power passion and determination, again demonstrating that it is the best spectator sport in the world. It is just a shame it isn't fully appreciated especially by the visual and written media. Wigan played a fantastic game for the first 30 minutes strangling Leeds' chances , but I think Leeds deserved more as they were clearly the better side for the last 50 minutes, once they started to defend aggressively and promote the ball. It was clear it wasn't going to be the rhinos day when Sinfield's kick hit the upright. Furthermore it seemed as if every decision went against them - especially the tipping up of Delaney in the first half, the forward pass the non 40/20 at the end which completely changed the direction. I do think Bentham is a good referee and all make mistakes, but not to use the video evidence is criminal. Overall 2 excellent contrasting sides with non error rugby overcoming flair. I do hope the Rhinos get some reward before the end of the season even though the sport was the main winner

Posted 11:34 29th August 2011

Derek Greenhalgh says...

chris baker and everyone else else slagging wigan seem to forget it wasnt the players who made the decisions no doubt leeds players would have accepted them if in their favour, and ill give widnes 12 month in super league :) even with betsie as coach

Posted 10:34 29th August 2011

Derek Greenhalgh says...

interesting comments from leeds supporters wonder if the decisions reversed would they be saying the same thing, point is leeds are past their sell by date , bailey just wants a fight mcguire needs motivation jones bishop to grow up other than those the rest of leeds team just mediocre players and you need a coach who can do the job

Posted 10:27 29th August 2011

Andy Cartwright says...

Leeds must be gutted, they nearly did it, what a come back! To come back from 3 tries down and nearly win it, was amazing. I think they probably deserved to win over all but they just couldn¿t cope with Wigan in the first half hour and it cost them. Can't really blame it on the two crucial bad ref and touch judge decisions, although they did play a direct and vital part in Wigan winning. At least the Leeds fans got a better show this year than last, when they were embarrassed by Warrington. It showed that Wigan are very good but they also have their flaws and weaknesses.

Posted 18:16 28th August 2011

Laurence Escreet says...

Isn't it odd that that refs wrong decisions always seem to go to the "top" team - or maybe not. Why does RFL chose two Lancashire officials for top games? A good game spoilt by poor officials

Posted 17:50 28th August 2011

Brett Fortune says...

Good ginal for the neutral, Dissapointed the officials made a couple of mistakes that both lead to Wigan trys otherwise it could well have been a different result. Well played Leeds MOT

Posted 11:57 28th August 2011

Andy Tow says...

Fantastic, I'm very drunk and loved the win, Wigan I love always have always will, common the Wigan.

Posted 22:16 27th August 2011

John Bickers says...

Very good match the result should have been much closer were it not for linesman faulty calls,and forward passes going on unoticed,and scores resulting from both occations. Well played Leeds you ran Wigan scared,and congrats to the winners.

Posted 20:33 27th August 2011

Alex Laycock says...

Well Leeds didn't disapoint us the had a dodgey patch in the first 20 mins and after that i thought they were the strongest team. The thing leeds lack is just strength in depth and I feel Ali should have been picked to give the edge of the bench. But all round I can say I am a proud Rhinos supporter after that game. Well done Leeds lets now foucus on the league. Come on the rhinios!

Posted 19:16 27th August 2011

Nadine Beardsmore says...

Well Done Wigan!!-so proud of you all!

Posted 19:10 27th August 2011

Barry Cattan says...

well done wigan made the game of rugby league a laughing stock forward pass try wigan put ball in touch wigan feed? leading to a try that was never grounded tomkins v-sign will go unpunished because he plays 4 wigan already planning 4 next game solly gets ban hanson cleared same offence rl bosses need a long hard look in the mirror certain teams get away with blue murder every week feel so sorry 4 the leeds lads u were cheated

Posted 18:04 27th August 2011

Chris Baker says...

Absolutely disgraceful decisions hand the cup to Wigan who were on the ropes and looking desperate. Forward pass for Lima's try, and forget Leuluei's "dropping" of ball over try line to clinch it, it was obvious that the ball went into touch off Charnley, not Burrow, and therefore scrum should have been awarded to Leeds. The smug, sneering faces of the Wigan players turned me into a Leeds supporter for the day .....and I'm from Widnes.

Posted 17:36 27th August 2011
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