Wigan Warriors know just how important building momentum could be at this point of the Super League season. The Cherry and Whites returned to the top of the table on Tuesday night as they ran in five tries against local rivals Leigh Leopards to record a 28-6 win at the Brick Community Stadium.
It was a win they needed as they push to claim yet another League Leaders’ Shield, but it was also one that silenced a few doubters after ending July with two defeats on the spin. The loss to Hull FC came as a shock to say the least, while seeing their side ship 40 points against Warrington will have been difficult to stomach for Wigan fans.
Matt Peet’s side came from behind against Huddersfield to stop the rot, but the win over Leigh certainly set the record straight and the Warriors will be flying high in confidence now as they approach Saturday’s trip to Leeds Rhinos on the back of a four-day turnaround.
Adam Keighran was one of the tryscorers against Leigh, breaking the line and powering home from distance to touch down and he kept his cool to kick all but one conversion, too. He will have been delighted to get on the scoresheet, of course, but he’ll have been happier to get the victory in their game in hand.
“Obviously getting the win at home is a good thing anyway, but it’s a bit of a rivalry we have too, so it’s good to get it over them and turn a bit of form around. It’s great in that sense,” Keighran told Wigan’s official site.
“Our intent was to come out, start well, and set the tone – I think we did that. They got a bit of a roll on in the second half, but I felt like we controlled it back and ended up getting over it – we’re happy with it.”
On this weekend’s fixture at Headingley, he added: “Leeds are a top side. Travelling out there is tough and playing at their home ground is going to be even tougher, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.
“It’s that point in the season where you have to start stringing some good games together as we start to lead into the back end of the competition.”
