Wigan without certain key players produced a fantastic 80 minutes of Rugby League to overcome the champions at an electric JJB stadium.

The home side started the game on fire, and good work by Gareth Hock put the Warriors on the front foot. Stand off half Trent Barrett was in fine form and drilled a pin point kick through for Phelps, and the winger made no mistake to score his first try of the afternoon.

The Wigan pack were on top, and looking dangerous. Stuart Fielden and Jamie Peacock exchanged words which resulted in a penalty for the home side, Wigan used the good field position with Carmount setting up Phelps superbly for the wingers 2nd try of the night!

Leuluai and Barrett were constant thorns in the Rhinos defence, and on the 29th minute Leuluai produced a great little chip over for Colbon to eventually score to extend the home sides lead to 16-0.

Just before the hooter Pat Richards, who was operating at fullback, kicked a one pointer to make it 17-0 with the two teams going into the sheds for a much needed break!

10 minutes into the 2nd half, Rob Burrow produced a scintillating break beating around 7 Wigan players showing great speed and power, eventually he was caught up by the Wigan defenders, Danny McGuire was present in support to give Leeds a real chance of a comeback.

Moments later, it was Wigans turn to make a super break, with Hock, Hansen and Higham combining. It looked a certain try until Ryan Hall made a great covering tackle. Unfortunately for him he gave away a penalty in front of the posts allowing Richards to add another two points – 19-6 to the home side.

58 minutes in, Wigan gave themselves even more breathing space. Carmount put in a good ball to youngster Darrell Goulding to power over. Richards crucially missed the conversion leaving the Leeds side still just 3 converted trys behind.

The Leeds side were far from buried, and Danny McGuire was on the top of his game throwing a great ball to youngster Ryan Hall to keep the Yorkshire side in the game. Sinfield was off target with the kick, leaving the scores 23-10.

McGuire, curtsey of a Jamie Jones offload, went half the length of the field to gain his side great field position. Burrows was at hand to take advantage, and his cross field kick to the wing was palmed back by Donald and Senior beat the Wigan players to touch down, to ensure a nail biting final 15 minutes!

With Kevin Sinfield off the field, Leeds were up against it. But with Danny McGuire and Rob Burrows finding their way into the game, and with the Warriors tiring, it was Leeds who had the momentum! Burrows moved it wide, and Gareth Ellis crossed over the line. Burrows added the two points to cut the deposit to 1 point. 23-22.

With literally seconds to go, the game took another twist! With Sinfield off the pitch, Leeds received a penalty from 40 meters out. It was left to Rob Burrows to kick and attempt to win it for the Rhinos. Burrows was off target with the goal, and Wigan had hung on to a fantastic victory in an electric game!