Wigan Warriors delivered a ruthless statement of intent as they ran in nine tries to hammer local rivals Leigh Leopards and maintain their impressive start to the new season. In a high-tempo, physically charged contest, Wigan combined power, precision and pace to overwhelm Leigh, underlining why many consider them early front-runners.
From the opening exchanges, Wigan looked sharper and more aggressive. Their forward pack laid the platform, winning the collision battle and generating quick play-the-balls that allowed the halves to dictate territory. It didn’t take long for the scoreboard to start ticking over. A sweeping move to the left edge created the first opening, and slick handling sent the winger over in the corner to ignite the home crowd.
Leigh attempted to respond with direct carries through the middle, but Wigan’s defensive line speed shut down space and forced errors. Each turnover was punished clinically. A clever grubber kick forced a goal-line dropout, and from the repeat set Wigan crashed over under the posts. The momentum was relentless, and by the midway point of the first half, the Warriors had already built a commanding lead.
What stood out most was Wigan’s variety in attack. Some tries came from expansive, flowing movements that stretched Leigh from touchline to touchline. Others were crafted through sheer persistence, with multiple drives at the line before a forward powered through. Their third and fourth scores highlighted that balance perfectly — one finished off by a slick inside pass, the other by a bruising close-range effort after sustained pressure.
Leigh showed flashes of quality, briefly reducing the deficit with a well-worked try of their own. But any hope of a comeback was quickly extinguished. Wigan responded almost immediately, shifting through the gears and exposing gaps in a tiring defensive line. The half-time hooter arrived with the Warriors firmly in control and the contest already leaning heavily in one direction.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Wigan refused to ease off, demonstrating the kind of ruthless edge that defines championship-winning sides. Their spine controlled territory with smart kicking, repeatedly turning Leigh around and forcing them to work out of their own half. Fatigue began to creep in for the visitors, and missed tackles proved costly.
Two quick-fire tries shortly after the restart effectively sealed the result. One came from a dazzling break through the middle, the support runner timing his line to perfection. Another arrived via a pinpoint cross-field kick that was plucked from the air and grounded with confidence. By the time Wigan crossed for their eighth and ninth tries, it felt like a showcase of depth and attacking cohesion.
For Leigh, it was a sobering afternoon. They battled gamely but struggled to contain the wave after wave of red-shirted pressure. There will be lessons to take, particularly around defensive resilience and composure under sustained pressure. However, the gulf on the day was undeniable.
For Wigan, the victory keeps their strong start intact and sends a clear message to the rest of the league. Nine tries in a derby clash is no small feat, and the blend of structure and flair on display will delight supporters. If they maintain this intensity and execution, they will remain one of the sides to beat as the season gathers pace.
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