Over The Years: Leeds

[josie andrews]

WIGAN WARRIORS TRAVEL TO AMT HEADINGLEY STADIUM THIS SUNDAY TO FACE LEEDS RHINOS IN ASH HANDLEY’S TESTIMONIAL.

Ahead of our final pre-season friendly, we revisit three meetings at Headingley from over the years:

Leeds 8-20 Wigan, Championship, 1991.

Fixture congestion towards the end of the season forced Wigan into playing eight games in 19 days – a run labelled ‘Mission Impossible’ by coach John Monie. Despite the challenge, Wigan won seven and drew one to win the title on the final weekend at Headingley.

The first of three Bobbie Goudling field goals gave Wigan a 1-0 lead after seven minutes before Andy Goodway touched down the only try of the first half. Goulding and Ellery Hanley slotted field goals to put Wigan 9-2 ahead at the interval.

Goulding added his third one-pointer after the restart before Martin Dermott twisted through the defence to widen the lead to 14-2. A converted Leeds try reduced the points to six, however, Frano Botica’s penalty alongside a late Denis Betts try ensured a crucial victory which meant Wigan sat two points ahead of Widnes in the final standings.

Leeds Rhinos 22-23 Wigan Warriors, Super League, 2003.

The Warriors struck first in an incredible Super League Play-Off Final Eliminator when Brian Carney accelerated 50m before exchanging passes with Kris Radlinski to touch down in the corner. Three tries and two goals from Leeds saw Wigan fall 14-4 behind, however, a powerful drive from Sean O’Loughlin reduced the points difference before the break with Andy Farrell converting.

Rob Burrow extended Leeds’ advantage with his second of the match before O’Loughlin spotted a gap in the defensive line to double his points total. Although Kevin Sinfield’s penalty took the score to 20-16, the Warriors went ahead when Carney shrugged off two tacklers before sprinting 95m to score with Farrell adding the extras.

With extra time fast approaching after Sinfield’s leveller, Danny Tickle stayed calm and composed when the opportunity came to slot his left footed drop goal through the posts for a one-point lead. In a dramatic ending, a quick Leeds break saw the hosts make more than 90m, however, solid defence from Wigan secured a place at Old Trafford.

Leeds 22-22 Wigan Warriors, Super League, 2011.

An excellent piece of play from Thomas Leuluai helped Wigan take the lead when Joel Tomkins touched down in the corner. Quick-fire tries saw the Rhinos build a 12-4 advantage when Jamie Jones-Buchanan crashed over from close range before Danny Buderus grounded his own kick.

A Sinfield penalty put Leeds further ahead before Wigan were reduced to 12-players when Jeff Lima was sent to the bin six minutes after the restart. Leeds built momentum from a Warriors error as Brent Webb broke through the tackle to make the score 22-4 on the hour.

A powerful break on the third tackle saw Liam Farrell make 40m before a clever chip over the top from Sam Tomkins saw the fullback reduce the points difference to 12. Wigan crossed for a third try with seven minutes remaining when Darrell Goulding finished for an unconverted score in the corner.

After forcing a goal line drop out, a short pass to Paul Prescott allowed the forward to ground the ball with S. Tomkins adding the extras from a central position. A blistering break from the Tomkins brothers saw the Warriors stopped short, however, Leeds conceded the penalty which allowed S. Tomkins to snatch a draw with the last play of the match.

Tickets for Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium remain available to purchase online HERE.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2025/01/ ... ars-leeds/

[morley pie eater]

A memorable Headingley match for me was around 2014 or 2015 with a young John Bateman.
Wigan were playing towards the uncovered western terrace and a kerfuffle involving Batty and Jamie Peacock broke out behind the line in the corner nearest to the cricket ground.
The ref sorted it but Peacock was well fired up and young Batty just pointed and laughed at him.

[fozzie58]

The sport needs a strong Leeds side this isn’t that side to me what is it now 8 years of rebuilding and still no nearer the finished product

[josie andrews]

A memorable Headingley match for me was around 2014 or 2015 with a young John Bateman.
Wigan were playing towards the uncovered western terrace and a kerfuffle involving Batty and Jamie Peacock broke out behind the line in the corner nearest to the cricket ground.
The ref sorted it but Peacock was well fired up and young Batty just pointed and laughed at him.

Think that was a magic weekend game not Headingley

[Johnone]

The match that sticks in my memory to this day was Leeds v Wigan cup tie in 1957 Boston scored two length of the field tries David Bolton broke his leg late in the 1st half . Despite scoring 2 of the finest tries that I have ever seen Billy still finished on the losing team . Billy also lists the match has the match he Most remembers in the book “ The Match of his life” . Leeds 13- Wigan- 11. Eric Ashton missed a penalty kick in the last minutes of the game which would have drawn the match and given Wigan an home replay .