|
Andy Farrell has broken the Super League point-scoring record for a season
as Wigan moved back into a share of top spot with Bradford.
The Great Britain captain scored a try and seven goals to beat Sean
Long's record of 352 and leave Leeds Rhinos sweating on a play-off place.
And to add insult to injury the hosts had to watch one of the former
players run the Wigan show.
Terry Newton laid on the final passes for Wigan's first three tries and
then crossed twice himself as his team held on despite the second-half
sin-binning of Gary Connolly.
The Rhinos took an 18th minute lead with a try from Kevin Sinfield who
stood in at stand-off for the injured Karl Pratt.
But either side of the break that early lead became nothing but a
distant memory for the home crowd as the Warriors put 24 points on the
board.
Connolly scored Wigan's first try despite claims of a knock-on that
left the Headingley crowd bemoaning the video referee's verdict which he
made after only looking at the replay once.
Wigan's other Ashes centre contender Paul Johnson crashed over in
similar fashion from a short Newton pass before Adrian Lam benefitted from
the hooker's all-action style to score.
A minute into the second Newton finally crossed himself after good work
from Kris Radlinski.
The Rhinos finally imposed themselves on the game but only after
Connolly had been sent to the sidelines for holding down Darren Fleary
after making a try-saving tackle.
Mark Calderwood and Robbie Mears both crossed to cut the deficit to six
points but that was as close as they got.
Newton forced his way over from dummy half for his second try before
Farrell crossed for a sixth Wigan score to consign Leeds to their third
defeat of the season at the hands of the Warriors and one that may prove
damaging to their play-off hopes.
The best team won but I've never been as angry as I am at the moment -
It's very tough refereeing, but it's a little bit easier with the screen
because you can take your time
|