Super League: Wigan Warriors 24-6 Leigh Leopards

Try: French 2, Marshall, Farrell Objectives: Keighran 4

Super League leaders Wigan Warriors strengthened their position thanks to a derby win against Leigh Leopards.

Bevan French got Wigan going in the first half, weaving his way past the Leigh back line to cross.

Brad Dwyer hit back for the visitors as they moved within two points of Wigan, but the cherry and whites’ lead was extended moments later by Liam Marshall.

French’s second came from an audacious kick and chase that opened up the Leigh defense and Liam Farrell capped a night to remember with the fourth.

It was a typical derby at the Brick Community Stadium, with both teams losing players to head injury assessments and yellow cards.

Ethan Havard replaced Mike Cooper for Wigan in the first four minutes after coming off for the first HIA of the game.

Despite the lack of points on the board, it was a high-tempo start and Leigh were reduced to 12 when Robbie Mulhern was sent to the basket after 20 minutes for a high tackle on Kaide Ellis.

Adam Keighran took Wigan out with the boot from the ensuing penalty and they made their lead count soon after French headed over from a 40-yard run to set up Jake Wardle.

Wigan’s Brad O’Neill was sent off before half-time for a lifting challenge on Mulhern, which saw him sent off for an HIA of his own.

Dwyer stunned Wigan as he broke in from the idle half to edge Leigh to two points 10 minutes into the second half, but Marshall stretched to the corner to send Matt Peet’s side further in front.

Wigan weren’t finished and French ran through the middle and managed to follow up his own shot on goal to score – with Farrell working to offload Jake Wardle to cap a morale-boosting night under the lights.

Wigan: French; Miski, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall; Farrimond, Smith; Cooper, O’Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Farrell, Ellis.

Exchanges: Havard, Mago, Dupree, Walters.

Leigh: Moylan; Hanley, Hardaker, Leutele, Charnley; O’Brien, Lam; Amone, Ipape, Mulhern, O’Donnell, Chamberlain, Trout.

Exchanges: Pene, Dwyer, Hughes, Asiata.