Warriors fight back in style

Wigan came back in fine style after getting off to a slow start against Leeds, the Warriors ultimately scoring a 28-10 Super League victory at the DW Stadium.

The defending champions dominated proceedings for the bulk of the first half and with Danny Buderus pulling the strings they scored tries through Danny McGuire and Scott Donald.

However, the home side established a foothold when George Carmont pulled one back towards the end of the opening period and then went on to dominate the second half.

Further tries came courtesy of Harrison Hansen and Joel and Sam Tomkins, with Pat Richards also on target with four conversions and two penalties.

The Rhinos did themselves no favours in terms of indiscipline - a penalty count of 14-7 telling its own story - and their defence also found itself increasingly unable to cope with bursts from the opposition through the centre.

Leeds could have gone ahead in the very first minute after Paul Prescott lost possession from the kick-off but, handed a set deep in Wigan territory, Keith Senior knocked on after being tackled by Amos Roberts.

They had another chance just two minutes later after some quick passing released McGuire but, sprinting towards the left-hand corner, Roberts was again on hand to delay the stand-off.

Roberts could have handed Wigan the lead after Hansen burst through in the 10th minute but the move came to nought after Martin Gleeson's pass to the winger instead found touch.

Chances

He forced Senior to knock on again moments later - the halfway point of the first half being reached without points on the board but nevertheless seeing plenty of chances.

The deadlock was soon broken, however, and it was McGuire who touched down after some superb build-up play through the centre by Buderus and Rob Burrow.

Making his 300th starting appearance for Leeds, Kevin Sinfield converted and Buderus was again on hand to release Mike Ratu who, making his full debut, made a strong break towards the right flank before being bundled down.

Ratu cropped up once more seconds later as Leeds scored their second, his offload towards the blindside allowing Donald through in the right-hand corner, Sinfield albeit missing the extras.

Wigan were second best at this stage - a rollicking break by Iafeta Paleaaesina a notable exception until the giant prop tripped over himself - until, with Leeds having conceded a penalty, Carmont arrived on an angled run in the 35th minute to score.

Richards converted and although the home side went into the interval 10-6 down, there were clear signs towards the end of the half that they were back in the game.

The momentum continued to build early in the second period and Wigan took the lead in the 43rd minute when Carmont again made an angled run having received an inside pass from Sam Tomkins.

His pass to Thomas Leuluai fell short but the scrum half then hacked it over the line for Hansen to run on to - Richards again converting for a two-point advantage.

Knife-edge

The game was still on a knife-edge at this stage and Leeds had a chance to retake the lead when Andy Coley was penalised for holding down. However, Richards' presence was enough to halt Ratu when the latter overlapped on the right-hand flank.

Joel Tomkins then had a try turned down - the video referee deciding Richards had knocked on - but soon touched down after interference by McGuire handed Wigan another set.

Richards converted to place Wigan two tries ahead and Leeds' woes increased in the 67th minute when Buderus was stretchered off with an apparent ankle injury after a collision with Coley.

There was to be no Wakefield-style comeback for the Rhinos this time, however, with Sam Tomkins sprinting clear 10 minutes from time - Richards converting and kicking two late penalties before his 100 percent record fell with a miss right on the hooter.