Wigan stay top as Leeds are put to the sword

Betfred Super League

Wigan (14) 38

Tries: Wardle, French (2), Marshall, Ellis, Miski, Keighran Goals: Keighran (5)

Leeds (0) 0

Wigan Warriors remain in pole position to win the League Leaders' Shield after brushing aside Leeds Rhinos with a seven-try show.

The Warriors still need to win their remaining regular-season game, at home to Salford Red Devils next week, to clinch top spot in Super League but they were in red-hot form against a resurgent Rhinos side which still has eyes on a play-off spot after winning four of their previous five matches.

Wigan began brilliantly, with Jake Wardle’s spectacular try and further scores from the brilliant Bevan French (2), Liam Marshall and Kaide Ellis putting them firmly in control.

Leeds were rarely in the contest, and the only way they can nail a top-six place is by hoping rivals lose and they win away next week against Hull KR, the only team who can still catch Wigan.

Leeds have revitalised their season under new coach Brad Arthur, but they ran into a Wigan side that has now won five on the bounce since they were surprised 30-4 by the Rhinos at Headingley five weeks ago.

The memory of that shock was still fresh as Wigan were out of the blocks like lightning, scoring two tries in the first eight minutes.

The first was quite stunning. For once, the influential Harry Smith’s kick to the flank was slightly overhit but winger Marshall showed balletic qualities to leap over the touchline and somehow flipped the ball back over his head for Wardle, who produced a diving one-handed finish tight in the corner.

With their tails up, Wigan roared forward again as Ellis raced clear, and with three men in support, slipped a pass for French to go under the posts.

Leeds showed some of the steel that Arthur has introduced to fight their way back into the game but they ran into a defence in uncompromising mood.

Just before half-time, Wardle returned Marshall’s earlier favour with a lovely flipped pass to give the competition’s leading try scorer his 25th of the campaign.

Wigan were relentless in the second half as Leeds wilted under the constant pressure, as the power of replacement Patrick Mago, the delicacy of Smith, and the irresistible running of Jai Field and French gave them no respite.

Ellis scored his first try of the season, crashing through a gap in the Leeds defence, and Miski ran on to a sharp dabbed kick from Smith for another score.

Keighran rounded off the rout by grabbing Smith’ dainty lobbed kick and converted it himself to finish with 14 points to his name.

Wigan: Field, Miski, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall, French, Smith, Havard, Leeming, Thompson, Nsemba, Farrell, Ellis.

Interchanges: Byrne, Mago, Dupree, Forber.

Leeds: Edgell, Fusitu'a, Momirovski, Newman, Lumb, Croft, Frawley, Oledzki, Ackers, Sangare, McDonnell, Martin, Smith.

Interchanges: Lisone, Bentley, O'Connor, Donaldson.

Referee: Liam Moore