Super League: Wigan see off Leeds to make it 11 wins in a row
Wigan put an end to Leeds' perfect record at Magic Weekend with a hard-fought 20-16 triumph at the Etihad Stadium.
Last Updated: 28/05/13 1:46pm
First-half tries from the prolific back three of Sam Tomkins, Pat Richards, who also kicked four goals, and Josh Charnley proved enough for the table-topping Warriors to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 games.
Joe Vickery's first Super League score made for a tense finish and the Rhinos thought they had won it late on with a solo effort from Danny McGuire, only for it to be ruled out for obstruction.
The no-try decision by the video referee consigned Leeds to a third straight defeat in all competitions, though this was a much-improved display on their recent losses to Huddersfield and St Helens.
Traded blows
Two of the biggest heavyweights in the English game had traded blows in the opening 40 minutes before Leeds let their guard slip in the closing stages, gifting their opponents eight valuable points with costly errors of judgement.
Wigan had started the game impressively and Sam Tomkins continued his hot streak with the opening try in the left corner after nine minutes courtesy of Ian Thornley's excellent offload.
Leeds did well to weather the early storm before being given the chance to get points on the board when Michael McIlorum's shoulder charge on Kevin Sinfield was spotted by referee Richard Silverwood.
The Leeds skipper picked himself up off the turf to kick the resulting penalty, then pushed his side 8-6 ahead when he converted his own try that came off the back of a Zak Hardaker break down the right.
However, a mistake almost immediately from the re-start put Wigan in prime position to respond, and they duly took the opportunity with Richards running in on the left.
The winger successfully added the conversion and also a further penalty to make it 14-8, though the gap was cut down to just two points when Kallum Watkins somehow managed to ground the ball one-handed as he was spun 360 degrees into touch.
Yet the crucial period of the contest game just before the break; a needless shove by Ryan Bailey on Logan Tomkins allowed Richards a bonus shot at the posts before Sinfield's brave attempt at a short grubber deep inside his own half only resulted in a Wigan try for Charnley right on the hooter.
The second half failed to see the same number of points but was not short on drama, the most notable moment coming seven minutes from time when McGuire's score was disallowed for running around the back of a team-mate.
It meant the Warriors were able to hold on and avenge their 18-14 loss to the same opponents at Headingley back in March, while the match provided the perfect finish to Super League's two-day stay in Manchester.