Wigan Warriors Reserves 20 Leeds Rhinos Reserves 6

(Picture credit Bryan Fowler)

Leeds Rhinos Reserves suffered their first defeat of the season against Wigan Warriors at Robin Park Arena in wet condition.

Wigan made a strong start to the fixture, with Lukas Mason going close after a powerful run through the middle of the park before George O'Loughlin got over for what looked like the opening try of the game after charging down a kick and getting the ball back from Shea O'Connor, but the referee ruled a forward pass.

The Rhinos then made Wigan pay for these missed chances, and were first to get on the scoreboard after 20 minutes. Oliver Smart was driven into touch but were awarded a penalty which allowed Presley Cassell to crash over in the following set to break the deadlock. Harley Thomas added the conversion to make it 6-0.

The conditions made it difficuly for both teams but the home side eventually found a way through ten minutes later via Jonny Vaughan who took a short pass from Loose Forward Taylor Kerr before racing for teh line. Jack Farrimond converted from close range to level at 6-6 going into the break.

The hosts took the lead on 49 minutes, after a ruck infringement from Leeds resulted in a penalty for Wigan.  Farrimond succesfully adding the conversion from 30m out to make it 8-6 going into the final half hour.

A Leeds error for failing to play the ball correctly led to the next score for Wigan.  Making the most of their full set from close range, Farrimond weaved through the Rhinos defence to go over under teh posts. He then converted his own score to make it 14-6.

Farrimond continued his impressive performance with his second of the game minutes later.  The half back collected a loose ball from a Leeds kick and then raced the length of the field and score in the corner and then added the extras from the touchine to give his side a comforable lead of 20-6.

Leeds kept pushing, despite little time left on the clock and had a late surge and with an overlap on the left they looked like they were in for the try, but a huge tackle from Jonny Vaughan denied the visitors.

Wigan Warriors Reserves: Noah Hodkinson, Nathan Lowe, Josh Cartwright, Riley Dervan, Dayon Sambou, George Marsden, Jack Farrimond, Shea O'Connor, Jack Purtill, Lukas Mason, George O'Loughlin, Jonny Vaughan, Taylor Kerr.

Interchanges: Evan Buckley, Leo Wadsworth, Lucas Fetherston, Lewis Daniels.

18th Player: Jaiden Drachenberg.

Tries: Vaughan (33'), Farrimond (65', 71')

Goals: Farrimond (4/4)

Leeds Rhinos Reserves: Harley Thomas, Marcus Qareqare, Ned McCormack, Oscar Brown, Riley Lumb, Fergus McCormack, Harry Smith, Joseph Butterfield, Joe Diskin, Jacob Stead, Oliver Smart, Jacob Hardy, Presley Cassell.

Interchange: Harvey Butterworth, Hughie Tinkler, Robin Smith, Dacx Jones-Buchanan.

Tries: Cassell (20')

Goals: Thomas (1/1)