Wigan Win Derby Clash at Leigh
Leigh Centurions 28
T - Brown 2, Kay, Higson, Brierley
G - Ridyard 4
Wigan Warriors 36
T - Burgess 4, Bateman, Sarginson 2
G - Hampshire 4
Att 2988
Match Report
Wigan ran out 28-36 winners against near neighbours Leigh in their opening pre-season game of 2014.
Winger Joe Burgess was the stand out performer for the Warriors grabbing four tries to make an early claim for the left wing position for the season ahead following the departure of Pat Richards.
Wigan trailed 16-12 at the break but a commanding start after the interval as the Warriors ran in five tries in quick succession to move into a 16-36 advantage was enough to see Wigan home.Leigh did grab a couple of tries to give Wigan a scare but it was a young Warriors side that celebrated the win.
Wigan crossed for seven tries, Dan Sarginson grabbed a brace in addition to a John Bateman try and with Burgess stealing the show Ryan Hampshire struck four goals.
Wigan gave debuts to new signings Dan Sarginson and John Bateman in the starting line-up with former Centurion Sam Hopkins coming on off the bench. Leigh included four former Warriors in their squad in Oliver Wilkes, Bob Beswick, Martin Aspinwall and Tom Spencer.
It was the home side who opened the scoring on 15 minutes, Leigh putting pressure on the Wigan line forcing a goal line drop out and from the next set of six the Centurions spread the ball out to the left and Winger Alex Brown was in for the try. A couple of minutes before that Brown wasted a chance for the first score knocking on with the try line open. The conversion was missed from out wide 4-0.
Wigan responded on 23 minutes, a swift passing move to the left and a great off load from Ryan Hampshire sent Joe Burgess in for the visitor's first try. Ryan Hampshire added the extras, 4-6.
Soon after Wigan were in again, this time it was debutant John Bateman with the try from a short pass from Sam Powell as Leigh were opened up by the Warriors attack. Hampshire added the goal, 4-12.
On 33 minutes the home side got themselves back into the contest this time a break in centre field from Bob Beswick sent Liam Kay in for the Leigh try, Martin Ridyard added the goal to make it 10-12.
On the stroke of half time, Leigh extended their lead with Alex Brown in for his second try of the game, Ridyard added the goal to make it 16-12 at the break.
It took the Warriors less than a minute to draw level, Ryan Hampshire with the break and Joe Burgess was in support to race away for his second try of the game. Hampshire added the goal and Wigan were back in front 16-18.
Within a couple of minutes, Burgess was in again to complete his hat-trick, this time Hampshire missed the goal, 16-22.
Wigan were on a role and on 47 minutes, the visitors were scoring again this time, great dummy and break from Dan Sarginson and a Hampshire goal 16-28. Sarginson grabbed his second try soon after and Wigan were beginning to run away with the contest, 16-32, Hampshire missed a difficult goal.
On 55 minutes a measured cross field kick from Sam Powell and Joe Burgess was on hand to gather out wide, his 4th try of the game. Hampshire missed the goal but the Warriors with five tries in quick succession had well and truly given themselves a commanding lead.
Leigh grabbed their fourth try of the game through Adam Higson on 62 minutes which Ridyard converted, Leigh 22 Wigan 36.
A kick spilled by Lewis Tierney allowed Ryan Brierley in for a try which Martin Ridyard converted and at 28-36 it was game on again but Wigan held on despite late Leigh pressure for the victory.
Team News
Leigh Centurions - Greg McNally, Adam Higson, Stuart Littler, Tom Armstrong, Alex Brown, Liam Kay, Ryan Brierley, Oliver Wilkes, Bob Beswick, Ryan Duffy, Matt Sarsfield, Tommy Goulden, Sam Barlow
Replacements - Martin Aspinwall, Tom Spencer, Andy Thornley, Steve Maden, Matt Gardner, Martin Ridyard, Jake Emmit, Jamie Acton
Wigan Warriors - Ryan Hampshire, Dom Manfredi, Dan Sarginson, Anthony Gelling, Joe Burgess, George Williams, Sam Powell, Dom Crosby, Logan Tomkins, James Greenwood, John Bateman, Connor Farrell, Greg Burke
Replacements - Iain Thornley, Sam Hopkins, Lewis Tierney, Ryan Sutton, Ben Austin, Rhys Pugsley, Callum Wright, Rob Lever
Referee - Jamie Bloem
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