MATT PEET was delighted with the defensive efforts of his Wigan Warriors – and two young stars in particular – as they won the derby with Leigh Leopards.
Wigan came from behind to triumph 20-8, their tenth successive win in all competitions.
That was despite one of their star performers this season, centre Adam Keighran, suffering a groin injury in training which ruled him out.
Zach Eckersley shifted inside from the wing and Noah Hodkinson came in, with both scoring tries.
“Leigh throw a lot at you, so we had to be very good defensively particularly,” said Wigan boss Peet.
“Everyone was good but Zach Eckersley and Noah Hodkinson on that right edge, apart from the try (conceded) in the first half, I thought they came up with some big plays and some of the turnovers led to points as well.
“We didn’t get to practice with those two in the wing‑centre combination, so it was really good to see how well they adapted.”
Peet added: “I think structurally we were very good defensively, as well as all the effort things and energy things that you look for as a coach.
“I thought we made good decisions within our defence as well when Leigh were playing their shape.”
Wigan trailed 8-0 before Jai Field’s try three minutes from half-time – going the length of the field from a tap penalty which caught Leigh off guard – shifted momentum.
Peet admitted: “It was against the run of play, wasn’t it?
“We nearly got a breakaway from Jake Wardle and that got pulled back. Similarly, we get that one and it was a big moment.
“We had the character to get in at half‑time when we hadn’t really nailed it, identify what needed to be better, and then go out and implement that.
“You’re going to have weeks where you don’t put an 80‑minute, ideal performance together, but having that character to be able to identify it and fix it is an important one.
“With the ball, we found our way a little bit in the second half, but I think it was more (a win) for our defensive connection. We kept turning up for one another.”