Rugby League: Wigan 0 - 1 Leigh

A dramatic night in Wigan and incredible way to start the new Super League season

Leigh Leopards stunned reigning champions Wigan Warriors with a golden-point victory in extra time on the opening night of the 2025 Super League season – after the two sides played out the first-ever 0-0 draw in the competition’s 29-year history.

Author - Amy W

Gareth O’Brien sealed the win with a decisive drop-goal three minutes into extra time, handing last season’s quadruple winners a losing start to their title defence.

Both teams displayed remarkable defensive discipline in a fiercely physical derby between these local rivals, with neither able to break the deadlock during an intense but gripping 80 minutes.

O’Brien’s one-pointer sparked jubilant celebrations, securing Leigh’s first victory at Wigan since 1983.

The evening began with a real sense of occasion, featuring live music from The Lathums, pre-match pyrotechnics, and legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer welcoming the teams onto the pitch.

A closer look at what happened

What followed that fun introduction was a match short on points but packed with grit, defensive brilliance, and late drama.

Leigh’s defence stood firm to deny Jake Wardle and Tyler Dupree in the first half, while Wigan’s Jai Field saw a second-half try ruled out by video referee Jack Smith due to an illegal ball steal earlier in the play.

At the other end, Leigh’s new signing David Armstrong – having brilliantly evaded three Wigan defenders – was unable to find a teammate to finish off the move, as Wigan maintained their defensive resilience, having not conceded a try in any of their final four matches last season.

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A crazy and chaotic finale 

The closing stages provided plenty of drama. Leigh half-back Lachlan Lam leapt high near his own posts to claim Harry Smith’s dangerous lofted kick, which looked destined for the onrushing Bevan French.

However, as Lam hit the ground, he was tackled dangerously by Adam Keighran, earning the Wigan centre a spell in the sin-bin.

With Wigan down to 12 men and having survived the hosts’ first attacking set in extra time, Leigh moved swiftly upfield to set the stage for O’Brien’s match-winning drop-goal.

Wigan captain Liam Farrell – who had also spent time in the sin-bin earlier in the match – made Super League history in the second half by becoming the first player to use the competition’s newly introduced captain’s challenge system, which allows skippers to contest certain refereeing decisions.

Farrell’s appeal against Liam Moore’s ruling of an illegal ball steal was, however, dismissed after a video review.