Danika Priim says Wigan Warriors were ‘very lucky’ against Leigh Leopards in the first half

Saturday afternoon’s Battle of the Borough between Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards is going the way of the cherry and whites after a closely contested first-half at the DW Stadium.

It was Challenge Cup finalists Leigh who opened the scoring early on thanks to a rampaging close-range run from prop forward Tom Amone, with the visiting fans hoping for another memorable Saturday afternoon after last week.

But Wigan responded well as Bevan French went over, the sides locked at 6-6 for most of the first period with the home sides handling errors providing Leigh with most of the field position.

However, five minutes before half-time the game changed as the Warriors through the ball wide, and Abbas Miski put in a kick more in hope than expectation, with the ball flicking up perfectly into the hands of Toby King to score.

Then on the half-time hooter the hosts got a crucial third try as again they through the ball wide, this time a more controlled kick from Miski hit French’s leg before he touched down – that try making it 16-6 at the break.

The score was probably harsh on Leigh and during the half-time talk on Channel 4’s live coverage of the game, former Leeds Rhinos women’s player Danika Priim claimed Wigan had been lucky.

Reflecting on the first half she said: “I think Wigan have been really fortunate because they have made a lot of errors. I think a word to describe that first-half from their point of view would be lucky.

“I think the try here, when Miski kicks the ball is very lucky, and then the French one again is very lucky. I think even he would say that was fortunate.

“Wigan have been so scrappy in that half, they have looked very scatty at time and even disorganised, but they go into half-time in front. It’s a bit odd really. Just odd.”

If Priim though Matt Peet’s side were fortunate in the first 40 minutes, she would have trouble saying the same about the second half with the Warriors racing clear of the Leopards on the way to a valuable two competition points.