Academy beaten by Leeds in Round 1
Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2025 9:16 am
* Match Report as Wigan Warriors Academy fell to defeat against Leeds Rhinos Academy.
* Jaiden Drachenberg scored the Warriors’ only points at Stanningley RLFC.
* FT | Leeds Rhinos Academy 24-4 Wigan Warriors Academy.
WIGAN WARRIORS SUFFERED A 24-4 DEFEAT TO LEEDS RHINOS IN THE ACADEMY LEAGUE FIRST ROUND AT STANNINGLEY.
Despite Jaiden Drachenberg’s first half try for the Warriors, four Leeds Rhinos tries earned the home side the two points in West Yorkshire.
Report
The hosts opened the scoring after three minutes when Presley Cassell powered over from close range after sustained pressure on the Warriors defence. Harley Thomas made no mistake from the tee in adding the extras.
A Warriors crossfield kick forced a Leeds knock on, and straight from the scrum Jaiden Drachenberg cut through the Rhinos defence to score Wigan’s first try of the season. Alfie Maden’s resulting kick was off target as the Rhinos remained in front.
Having led 6-4 at the break, Leeds extended their advantage three minutes into the second half. After Jacob Hardy initially broke the line, Zak Lloyd was well-placed to collect an inside pass to score with Thomas adding the extras.
The Warriors were reduced to 12-men on 47 minutes when Joe McGann was shown a yellow card for a late hit on George Brown. The home side made the extra player count soon after when Hardy spotted a gap in the Wigan defence to dive over, as Thomas kept his perfect record from the tee.
Despite having a try ruled out for an offence in the air, Leeds crossed for their fourth try of the evening when Webster’s kick ahead was gathered by Brown to score. Thomas kicked the additional two points to widen his side’s lead to 24-4 just after the hour.
An altercation in the closing minutes saw referee Sam Jenkinson show a red card to Leeds’ Thomas and a yellow card to Wigan’s Shea O’Connor for their involvement. The Warriors were unable to add further points to their total as the Rhinos claimed the two points.
Leeds Rhinos: Dylan Hutchinson, Callum Webster, Noah Whittingham, Harley Thomas, Dax Millington, George Brown, Harry Smith, Joe Butterfield, Joe Diskin, Lore Jones-Buchanan, Zak Lloyd, Jacob Stead, Presley Cassell.
Interchange: Alex Cowley, Daniel Stelfox, Jacob Hardy, Dacx Jones-Buchanan.
18th Player: Oscar Brown.
Tries: Cassell (3′), Lloyd (42′), Hardy (49′), Brown (60′).
Goals: Thomas (4/4).
Red Card: Thomas (76′).
Wigan Warriors: Jaiden Drachenberg, Thomas Bridge, Austin Daniel, James Gleeson, Samuel Dickenson, Finlay Yeomans, Alfie Maden, Shea O’Connor, Joe McGann, Leo Wadsworth, Bailey Jones, Harlen Smith, Joe Hollins.
Interchange: Corben Ashurst, Jack Bibey, Lewis Daniels, Mike Porter.
18th Player: John Perry.
Tries: Drachenberg (15′).
Goals: Maden (0/1).
Sin Bin: McGann (48′), O’Connor (76′).
https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2025/03/ ... n-round-1/
* Jaiden Drachenberg scored the Warriors’ only points at Stanningley RLFC.
* FT | Leeds Rhinos Academy 24-4 Wigan Warriors Academy.
WIGAN WARRIORS SUFFERED A 24-4 DEFEAT TO LEEDS RHINOS IN THE ACADEMY LEAGUE FIRST ROUND AT STANNINGLEY.
Despite Jaiden Drachenberg’s first half try for the Warriors, four Leeds Rhinos tries earned the home side the two points in West Yorkshire.
Report
The hosts opened the scoring after three minutes when Presley Cassell powered over from close range after sustained pressure on the Warriors defence. Harley Thomas made no mistake from the tee in adding the extras.
A Warriors crossfield kick forced a Leeds knock on, and straight from the scrum Jaiden Drachenberg cut through the Rhinos defence to score Wigan’s first try of the season. Alfie Maden’s resulting kick was off target as the Rhinos remained in front.
Having led 6-4 at the break, Leeds extended their advantage three minutes into the second half. After Jacob Hardy initially broke the line, Zak Lloyd was well-placed to collect an inside pass to score with Thomas adding the extras.
The Warriors were reduced to 12-men on 47 minutes when Joe McGann was shown a yellow card for a late hit on George Brown. The home side made the extra player count soon after when Hardy spotted a gap in the Wigan defence to dive over, as Thomas kept his perfect record from the tee.
Despite having a try ruled out for an offence in the air, Leeds crossed for their fourth try of the evening when Webster’s kick ahead was gathered by Brown to score. Thomas kicked the additional two points to widen his side’s lead to 24-4 just after the hour.
An altercation in the closing minutes saw referee Sam Jenkinson show a red card to Leeds’ Thomas and a yellow card to Wigan’s Shea O’Connor for their involvement. The Warriors were unable to add further points to their total as the Rhinos claimed the two points.
Leeds Rhinos: Dylan Hutchinson, Callum Webster, Noah Whittingham, Harley Thomas, Dax Millington, George Brown, Harry Smith, Joe Butterfield, Joe Diskin, Lore Jones-Buchanan, Zak Lloyd, Jacob Stead, Presley Cassell.
Interchange: Alex Cowley, Daniel Stelfox, Jacob Hardy, Dacx Jones-Buchanan.
18th Player: Oscar Brown.
Tries: Cassell (3′), Lloyd (42′), Hardy (49′), Brown (60′).
Goals: Thomas (4/4).
Red Card: Thomas (76′).
Wigan Warriors: Jaiden Drachenberg, Thomas Bridge, Austin Daniel, James Gleeson, Samuel Dickenson, Finlay Yeomans, Alfie Maden, Shea O’Connor, Joe McGann, Leo Wadsworth, Bailey Jones, Harlen Smith, Joe Hollins.
Interchange: Corben Ashurst, Jack Bibey, Lewis Daniels, Mike Porter.
18th Player: John Perry.
Tries: Drachenberg (15′).
Goals: Maden (0/1).
Sin Bin: McGann (48′), O’Connor (76′).
https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2025/03/ ... n-round-1/