Wigan Have Grand Designs After Edging Home in Classic

Wigan won the match of the Super League season so far to make a persuasive statement of their own credentials as potential grand final challengers and raise further questions about Leeds's ability to keep going until the autumn.

The Rhinos launched a thrilling second-half fightback after trailing 17-0 and 23-6, and had the chance to snatch the most unlikely victory when they were awarded a penalty 40 meters out in the last minute. But Rob Burrow's attempt fell just short, condemning the champions to a third defeat in four matches and leaving them in danger of being knocked off the top of the table for the first time since February should St Helens score enough points against Harlequins at the Stoop tonight.

Even more worrying for Leeds was the sight of their captain Kevin Sinfield, who would normally have taken that penalty, being helped from the field towards the end of a dramatic night.

Wigan's coach Brian Noble had sniffed that his team were ready to produce a big performance, but even he could not have expected two tries in the first nine minutes. Cameron Phelps grabbed the glory with both of the early tries. Each took some scoring, but this was a scintillating team performance from Wigan with no one better than Stuart Fielden.

Fielden charged into the heart of the Leeds defence with relish, and had one memorable clash with his former his Bradford team-mate Jamie Peacock which ended with them eyeballing each other from close quarters - but crucially, with Wigan receiving a penalty.

They had taken the lead on 53 seconds after an opening to the game that could not have been bettered, with Gareth Hock instigating a 70-meter attack that ended with Phelps touching down Trent Barrett's delicate kick.

Phelps's second came after short snappy passes from Thomas Leuluai and George Carmont, and although Pat Richards was unable to add a second conversion he kicked a penalty four minutes later after Fielden had won his stirring clash with Peacock.

Leeds had plenty of pressure in the Wigan half but Fielden led an equally impressive defensive effort, showing remarkable fitness to tidy up a dangerous Danny McGuire kick. The Rhinos then conceded a soft third try before half-time as Liam Colbon touched down Leuluai's chip, with Richards adding a drop goal in stoppage time.

Fielden had been forced off by then, staggering to the sideline after a heavy clash with Ryan Bailey in the 38th minute. He did not resume at the start of the second half either, although even he would have struggled to do anything about Leeds's first try, which was scored by McGuire after a thrilling 60-meter scamper by his half-back partner Burrow.

That was the cue for Noble to reintroduce both Fielden and Hock, who had been withdrawn midway through the first half, and Wigan were quickly back in control. First a remarkable pass by Hock was equally well taken by Carmont to set up the position for another Richards penalty, and then Carmont provided the pass for his fellow center Darrell Goulding to stumble over on the right.

But Leeds were far from finished, with McGuire brilliance setting up three tries in 10 minutes for Ryan Hall, Keith Senior and Gareth Ellis. This was an absolute classic.

Wigan Warriors: Richards; Calderwood, Goulding, Carmont, Phelps; Barrett, T Leuluai; Fielden, Higham, Coley, Hansen, J Tomkins, Hock. Interchange: Colbon, McIlorum, O'Carroll, Tuson.

Leeds Rhinos: Webb; Hall, Ellis, Senior, Donald; McGuire, Burrow; K Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield. Interchange: Bailey, Smith, Burgess, Allan.

Referee: A Klein (Silsden)