Leeds Rhinos got back to winning ways thanks to tries from Ryan Hall, Joel Moon and Jamie Jones-Buchanan at Headingley Carnegie.

The main talking point before the game was the absence of Wigan's superstar Sam Tomkins who suffered a dead leg in the team's final training session and then failed a fitness test before kick off. Leeds Head Coach Brian McDermott also made changes with Ryan Bailey returning after four weeks out following knee surgery to start at loose forward with Chris Clarkson missing out and Mitch Achurch replaced Paul McShane on the bench. 

Leeds took the game to Wigan from the kick off and opened the scoring after ten minutes. Rob Burrow was causing problems for the visitors early but it was Danny McGuire that struck the decisive blow when he spotted a gap down the short side. He timed his pass to perfection to Ryan Hall leaving Josh Charnley caught in no mans land. Hall still had plenty to do with Pat Richards the last line of defence but the winger stepped back inside and flew passed the Irish international to score. Kevin Sinfield added the conversion to make it 6-0.

Leeds were guilty of making errors with the ball in hand and that allowed Wigan field position to attack the Rhinos line. The Warriors hit back eight minutes later when Liam Farrell brushed off the attempted tackle by Kallum Watkins and showed tremendous pace for a forward to burst clear and score. Video referee Ian Smith checked for a knock on by hooker Michael McIlorum at the previous play the ball but content that the ball had not left his wingers the score was awarded. Matty Smith added the conversion to level the game.

The home side were looking well drilled in defence after that as Wigan tried to utilise the high kick to threaten the Leeds line. However, the option of kicking towards Hall nearly came unstuck on two occasions as the winger jumped to take the kick and broke up field.

Wigan hit the front with half time approaching when Jamie Jones-Buchanan was penalised for a high tackle and Smith coolly slotted over the penalty to give his side a 8-6 lead.

The Rhinos were denied a try in the final minute of the half when Hall, who had earlier missed a chance under pressure from Richards from a kick, took Sinfield’s reverse kick on the run and initially looked to have got the nose of the ball down. Video referee Ian Smith judged Charnley had got his fore arm under the ball to prevent the try however to leave the Rhinos trailing at the break.

Leeds needed to make the most of their chances and they did just that after five minutes of the second half. Sinfield kicked across the field with Charnley conscious of the threat by Hall, he failed to take in the ball and knocked on straight into the path of Joel Moon to score. The video ref took an age to award the try but eventually did and Sinfield added the conversion to give his side a 12-8 lead.

That lead should have been extended on two occasions when first Ian Kirke broke through, drew the last man but his pass to McGuire went to the ground. Then Moon produced a fine break down the North Stand side only for Burrow to knock on as he snatched at the pass at the second attempt.

Leeds did increase their advantage on the hour mark when Jones-Buchanan cut a great line and powered onto a short pass before rounding Richards to score between the posts. Sinfield added the conversion to make it 18-8.

Wigan were always going to come firing back and they scored next through former Leeds Carnegie player Iain Thornley on his return to Headingley, as quick passes created a gap outwide. Smith added an excellent touchline conversion from in front of the South Stand to set up a grandstand finish. Wigan threw everything at Leeds in the remainder of the game but Leeds held on for a well earned victory.