In a gritty local derby that had fans on the edge of their seats, the Wigan Warriors emerged victorious with a hard-earned 10-6 win against determined rivals Leigh Leopards at a packed DW Stadium.
The match proved to be a defensive masterclass from both sides, with scoring opportunities at a premium throughout the eighty minutes of intense Super League action. The Warriors' victory consolidates their position near the top of the table, while Leigh will rue missed chances that could have secured them a famous win.
Warriors Strike First in Tight Contest
The home side drew first blood when Australian centre Adam Keighran successfully converted a penalty kick, giving Wigan an early advantage. The Warriors continued to press, and their persistence paid off when veteran forward Luke Thompson powered over the line for what would prove to be the game's only try.
Keighran added the extras with a confident conversion, pushing Wigan to an 8-0 lead that they would carry into halftime.
Leigh Fight Back in Second Half
The Leopards emerged from the break with renewed determination, gradually building pressure on the Warriors' defence. Their efforts were rewarded when full-back Gareth O'Brien sliced through to score a crucial try, giving the travelling supporters hope of an upset.
O'Brien converted his own try, narrowing the gap to just two points and setting up a tense final quarter where every possession became critical.
Nervous Finish Sees Wigan Home
As the clock wound down, both teams had opportunities to change the outcome. Leigh thought they had scored a second try, only for the effort to be ruled out by the video official, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Wigan sealed the victory with a late penalty from French goal-kicker Marc Sneyd, who calmly slotted the two-pointer to ensure the Warriors would take the derby honours.
The result sees Wigan maintain their strong start to the Betfred Super League season, while Leigh will take encouragement from a performance that demonstrated their capability to compete with the league's top sides.
