Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards player ratings with five 8s and one 4/10

Wigan Warriors moved two points clear at the top of the Super League table as they beat Leigh Leopards 28-6.

The Warriors ran in five tries on the night to ensure they went top of the pile and with seven games remaining they are now in pole position to go on and win the League Leaders’ Shield. In doing so the Warriors landed a huge blow to Leigh’s hopes of reaching the top six come the end of the season with the Leopards remaining five points off the pace.

Wigan weren’t necessarily the dominant side from the off at the Brick Community Stadium, but they were given the opportunity to open the scoring early following Jack Hughes’ sin bin and they duly took it. Junior Nsemba was the man who got it, picking up a loose pass and drifting inside before evading the challenge of three defenders to touch down under the post.

Nsemba started the move that led to Wigan’s second, too, picking up a loose ball once more before turning and pushing the ball down the left flank before watching on as Liam Marshall and Jake Wardle did the rest with the latter touching down.

Adam Keighran took advantage of some woeful defending from Matt Moylan to stretch Wigan’s lead before Patrick Mago proved too strong to dot down just before the break.

Leigh came out swinging in the second half and touched down through Lachlan Lam following a Kai O’Donnell break.

Harvie Hill wrapped it up for Wigan, though, as he touched down Kruise Leeming’s grubber through the line.

Man of the match

Kruise Leeming. He’s missed a lot of action of late but the hooker played 80 minutes for the Cherry and Whites and remained effective throughout. Set up Mago’s and Hill’s tries, firmly underlining his class with the latter. Leigh struggled to deal with his energy around the ruck.

Stand out moment

All five Wigan tries were impressive but Wardle’s has to be the pick of the bunch. Starting with Nsemba, the ball passed through the hands of Zach Eckersley and Wardle before Liam Marshall broke down the line. The winger found the support run of Wardle, who touched down and made their numerical advantage count.

Wigan Warriors v Leigh Leopards player ratings

Wigan Warriors: Zach Eckersley 7; Abbas Miski 7, Adam Keighran 8, Jake Wardle 8, Liam Marshall 7; Ryan Hampshire 6, Harry Smith 7; Ethan Havard 7, Kruise Leeming 8, Luke Thompson 7; Junior Nsemba 8, Liam Farrell 7, Kaide Ellis 7.

Bench: Patrick Mago 8, Tyler Dupree 7, Harvie Hill 7, Sam Walters 6.

Leigh Leopards: Matt Moylan 4; Darnell McIntosh 6, Umyla Hanley 5, Ricky Leutele 6, Josh Charnley 6; Jack Hughes 5, Lachlan Lam 7; Owen Trout 6, Edwin Ipape 6, Robbie Mulhern 6; Kai O’Donnell 6, Frankie Halton 5, John Asiata 5.

Bench: Brad Dwyer 6, Zak Hardaker 6, Aaron Pene 6, Matt Davis 6.