Wigan coach Brian Noble was singing the praises of both his side and the crowd following their 28-10 victory over Leeds.
Wigan coach praises his side's energy and vigour
Wigan coach Brian Noble was singing the praises of both his side and the crowd at the DW Stadium following their 28-10 victory over Super League champions Leeds on Friday night.
The Warriors came back from 10-0 down to record their fifth win in succession and maintain their charge towards the play-offs, standing now just one point behind fourth-placed Hull KR.
After Leeds stole an early march, Noble's side came roaring back to score four tries in front of a bumper attendance of 20,295.
"I thought the second half was up there with what we have done because of the crowd, the emotion and the fact we were playing the champion team," Noble said.
"I thought they punched holes in us in the first half, they were all over us.
"But, boy, did we respond. We had energy, we had vigour, we were meeting their bigger blokes as we should have done in the first half.
"We also looked after the ball a bit better, forced a few errors and we know we will score points if we get to the right end of the field."
Leeds had looked on course to regain top spot in the table after tries from Danny McGuire and Scott Donald in the first half.
Fightback
However, George Carmont began the Wigan fightback before half-time and Harrison Hansen put the hosts ahead early in the second period.
Joel Tomkins added a third before brother Sam sealed victory - Pat Richards also kicking six goals.
Noble picked out Sam Tomkins for praise after another fine individual effort from the 20-year-old.
"He's still a work in progress," he added. "I love him to bits, and I think he loves himself to bits!
"He's very exciting and it is great for the game we have someone like that coming through - but let's not put him in the universe team yet."
The result ended Leeds' run of six consecutive victories and coach Brian McClennan admitted the best side had won.
"Wigan were very, very good," he said. "They got momentum in the second half and never let go.
"Well done to them, they kept the pace up and they did a job on us.
"I don't think we were going that well even at 10-0. Our execution was down a bit.
"I think they just kept building pressure and did a good job on us. They were the better team on the night."
