Ruthless Wigan seize on Leigh errors to go second

Betfred Super League Leigh (8) 8 Tries: Senior Goals: Cook 2 Wigan (6) 20 Tries: Field, French, Eckersley, Hodkinson Goals: Smith 2 Wigan made it ten wins in a row in all competitions as careless Leigh were made to pay for their mistakes in an enthralling Battle of the Borough . The Leopards, crushed 54-0 in the first meeting between the sides this season, dominated the opening half-hour and led at the break but self-destructed with a string of errors in the second period at Leigh Sports Village. Wigan cashed in with four tries from Jai Field, Bevan French, Zach Eckersley and Noah Hodkinson in the space of 22 minutes either side of half-time to secure a comeback win that moves them up to second in Super League. The defeat ended a run of five successive wins for Leigh who drop to fifth place in the standings. Connor stars as pacesetting Leeds thrash Toulouse Burgess scores 200th try as Hull KR beat Bradford Leigh had Wigan on the back foot initially and after Adam Cook put them ahead with a straightforward penalty, the Leopards delivered the opening try in the 13th minute through Innes Senior. It was the wing's tenth try of the season from a slick assist by centre Andy Badrock, recalled from his loan with Widnes Vikings. But they were left kicking themselves after switching off in defence to allow man of the match Field to show his scorching pace three minutes before half-time with a breakaway try. It was quick thinking as well as quick feet from the Wigan full-back who raced 80 metres through a dozy Leigh defence after tapping a penalty. Four minutes into the second half French gave Wigan the lead with Leigh again contributing to their own downfall. Jack Hughes' offload attempt to Gareth O'Brien went to ground allowing Wigan wing Hodkinson to pick up the loose ball and feed French who went over. Another offload error from Lazarus Vaalepu in the 51st minute as French drove him back in the tackle saw Eckersley intercept and speed in from halfway for his 22nd try of the season. Then a poor pass from Owen Trout presented Wigan with the position to strike just before the hour and they took it with some terrific handling as Hodkinson scored in the corner from Eckersley's tip pass. Harry Smith added two goals for Wigan with Adam Keighran ruled out because of a groin injury. Wigan's defence did the rest as the visitors closed out victory with room to spare. 'It had a play-off feel about it' - reaction Leigh head coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Merseyside: "There were three tries from poor skill and a fourth one where we fell asleep at the wheel. It's not a whole team issue, it's just three or four moments that really hurt us. "It was individuals that didn't nail skill at really big moments for us. "I'm not going to get angry at the team. For 40 minutes I thought we were unbelievably good. I think we're very close to being very, very good and I'll hold onto that fact. "I thought we dominated in most areas in that first half; we just have to put an 80-minute performance together." Wigan head coach Matt Peet told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I'm very proud. It is a tough place to come against a team that's flying. We had to overcome a bit of adversity. Leigh were excellent in the first half and we had to get a lot right to get the result. "It had a play-off feel about it from minute one against a quality team who throw a lot at you. "It will stand us in good stead. There are things that we can improve but the character of the team is very strong and defensively we looked very strong as well." On Jai Field's try: "It was a game-changing moment. He's got that capability and instinct and obviously his pace. He's a pleasure to watch." Leigh: O'Brien; Armstrong, Badrock, Hanley, Senior; Cook, Lam; Ofahengaue, Horne, Liu, Trout, Hughes, Brogan. Interchanges: Mulhern, Vaalepu, Alick-Wiencke, Davis. Wigan: Field; Hodkinson, Eckersley, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Harvard, O'Neill, Thompson, Walters, Partington, Ellis. Interchanges: Mago, Kerr, O'Loughlin, O'Connor. Referee: Chris Kendall.