Two late tries helped Wigan record a comfortable victory over Leeds and go top of the Super League table
For Wigan, Harry Smith directly replaced Tommy Leuluai at half-back, while Joe Shorrocks was named on the interchange bench.
Leeds had two major boosts as Bodene Thompson made his debut and Konrad Hurrell returned. 19-year-old Tom Holroyd made his first start at front-row.
Liam Farrell opened the scoring with a powerful drive towards the try-line to celebrate his 100th score in Wigan colours.
Leeds equalised through Tom Briscoe, but Rhyse Martin’s conversion hit the right-hand upright.
The Warriors re-gained their lead two minutes before the break, as Bevan French collected a loose ball and crossed unopposed.
HT: Wigan 12-4 Leeds
Wigan capitalised on a back-field scuffle for their third of the evening, when six quick passes provided Dom Manfredi with a simple finish.
Liam Sutcliffe collected Luke Gale’s short ball to phase through the line and, after Martin’s conversion, restore some hope. However, a sin-bin to Gale for a dangerous tackle made this comeback tougher.
In a late surge, Jake Bibby and Bevan French both crossed in the final five minutes to seal a comfortable victory for Wigan, who go top of the table as a result.
FT: Wigan 28-10 Leeds
Wigan: French, Marshall, Bibby, Hardaker, Manfredi, Smith, Hastings, Bullock, Powell, Byrne, Farrell, Isa, Havard; Interchanges: Clark, Greenwood, Joe Shorrocks, Smithies
Leeds: Handley, T. Briscoe, Hurrell, Newman, L. Briscoe, McLelland, Gale, Holroyd, Leeming, Prior, Martin, Thompson, Cuthbertson; Interchanges: L. Sutcliffe, Smith, Oledzki, Dwyer
A full match report from all Super League and NRL action this weekend will be available in Monday’s League Express
