Weakened Wigan overturn 18-point deficit to wreck Leigh’s big return

Depleted Wigan came from 18-0 down to claim a 20-18 victory and deny neighbours Leigh a winning return to Super League.

The Centurions had beaten Wigan 50-34 in their last season in Super League in 2017, and were on course for another famous victory after running in three tries without reply after 25 minutes. But the Warriors dug deep, especially after losing new signing Jai Field with a hamstring injury 19 minutes into his debut, to score four unanswered tries, two of them from Jake Bibby.

Wigan went into the game without high-profile Australians Jackson Hastings and Bevan French, and three first-choice three-quarters.

Leigh went in front in the sixth minute when captain Liam Hood forced his way over and full-back Ryan Brierley converted.

Former Wigan centre Iain Thornley added a second try, and it got even better for the new boys when

Ben Hellewell crossed. Brierley added a third conversion to make it 18-0, and Joe Mellor missed a glorious chance to extend the lead when he failed to pick up a loose ball.

The miss began to look costly when the Warriors responded with two tries in four minutes through Bibby and Zak Hardaker. Joe Bullock and Bibby again completed the fightback.

St Helens showed glimpses of their class as they got their title defence off to a successful start with a convincing 29-6 victory over Salford.

They ran in five tries through Tom Makinson after just two minutes, Regan Grace, Mark Percival with his first since the 2019 Grand Final, centre Kevin Naiqama and prop Alex Walmsley, who charged through for a solo effort to round off the scoring. Makinson was successful with four kicks.