Super League: Leeds survive Wigan fightback to win 18-16
By Press Association
Last Updated: 16/07/16 7:12am
Leeds continued their late-season revival with a fourth win in five matches to halt Wigan's eight-game winning run with an 18-16 victory.
The Rhinos, who have rediscovered their form too late to climb out of the bottom four, knocked Hull off the top of the Super League table a week ago but helped them reclaim the spot by defeating their nearest rivals in a tense Grand Final re-match at Headingley.
The reigning champions looked to have the game sewn up when they led 18-4 after 65 minutes but they were forced to withstand a late rally from their visitors before clinching a victory that lifts them off the bottom of the table.
England centre Kallum Watkins was back to his best and half-backs Jordan Lilley and Rob Burrow sparkled but it is the recent addition of hooker James Segeyaro, who made his home debut, that has finally made the Rhinos a more rounded team.
Wigan, who gave a debut to new signing Frank Paul Nuuausala for his first game for three months, had nine senior players missing through injury or suspension but played their full part in a rousing encounter in front of a 16,712 crowd.
Acting captain Burrow led from the front and might have opened the scoring with an early trademark dash only to be thwarted by second rower Willie Isa's last-ditch tackle.
It was no surprise when the home side went in front, with Watkins taking Lilley's pass and evading the tackle of Wigan centre Oliver Gildart before beating five other defenders to force his way over the line.
Liam Sutcliffe's conversion made it 6-0 but Wigan struck back on 15 minutes when winger Josh Charnley easily won the race to touch down George Williams' pinpoint kick to the corner.
Matty Smith was unable to add the goal as the visitors trailed 6-4 at the break. They fell further behind five minutes into the second half when Leeds second rower Carl Ablett produced a tremendous break and had time to wait for an
onrushing Adam Cuthbertson to take his pass for his side's second try.
Sutcliffe's second goal opened up a two-score lead but the Rhinos were never comfortable as Williams tormented them with his tricky footwork and pace.
Wigan thought they had scored on 62 minutes when Charnley forced his way to the line but referee Robert Hicks ruled a double movement and Leeds looked to have made sure of the win when substitute Brett Ferres profited from a ricochet from Burrow's high kick to the line.
Sutcliffe's third goal made it 18-4 but Charnley worked substitute Jack Higginson over for his first try for the club on 69 minutes and Williams jinked his way over for a solo effort two minutes later.
Smith added both conversions to set up a tense finish but Leeds hung on for a famous victory.
