Leeds Rhinos 12 Wigan Warriors 26: Top-four finish now uncertain as Rhinos are stung

Engage super league: MORE damaging to Leeds than this loss against leaders Wigan could be Monday's RFL match review panel.

While last night's bitter defeat leaves the Super League champions' hopes of a top four finish and more Grand Final success in real danger, they have genuine hopes of reaching Wembley and lifting the Challenge Cup for the first time in 11 years.

But, with St Helens arriving at Headingley for the semi-final next Saturday, Leeds coach Brian McClennan will now be sweating on the availability of two of his key men.

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Carl Ablett was lucky not to receive a straight red card after a high tackle – with his elbow appeared raised – on Sam Tomkins moments after the Wigan full-back collected Kevin Sinfield's steepling kick.

Only 15 minutes had passed but, given referee Steve Ganson once sent off Adrian Morley after just 12 seconds of a Test match, the Leeds second-rower was fortunate only to be placed on report.

Less obviously, aggressive prop Ryan Bailey also suffered the same punishment for allegedly raising his knees while trying to add the impetus his side needed in the first half.

Both will be fearing suspensions but, one thing is certain, Wigan last night showed just why they are favourites to end Leeds's three-year reign as Super League champions.

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Michael Maguire's side are destined to finish top for the first time since 2000 after showing all the calm, poise and ruthlessness which has deserted their hosts this season.

Gaining revenge for the Challenge Cup quarter-final loss at Headingley two months ago, they rode out Leeds's fiercest pressure and then made the most of their limited opportunities to open up a six-point gap at the top.

Leeds had named their strongest squad in months with the returning Rob Burrow only able to find a place on the bench and Lee Smith – who scored the last-ditch try that sealed that cup victory – left out for the first time since his Easter return from rugby union.

But they got off to the worst possible start when Kevin Sinfield's kick-off failed to go 10 metres and there was a constant sense – despite battling back from a 12-0 deficit to draw level early in the second half – they would just fall short given Wigan's growing force.

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Amid all the talk of the Warriors' vastly improved defensive dominance under Maguire this season, their constant ability to create an overlap around the edges has often been overlooked.

They did that to unleash Darrell Goulding for the opening score on seven minutes, although Martin Gleeson's final pass was forward, something video referee Phil Bentham could not rule on when checking Thomas Leuluai was onside after touching down winger Darrell Goulding's kick back infield.

Richards converted and did so again when – after Ablett's let-off – George Carmont burst through a gap created by Sam Tomkins and just held off Sinfield's last-ditch tackle to touch down.

Frustrated Leeds looked set to go into the break scoreless despite winning six successive penalties. Both Keith Senior and Bailey squandered possession on the first tackle close to the Wigan whitewash, Andy Coley desperately hung on to Burrow after the impish player had darted through and then some trademark line defence from Wigan denied Ali Lauitiiti as the big Samoan tried muscling his way over.

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However, finally, they struck. Webb – playing his 100th Leeds game – stood teasing Wigan defenders like a matador to the bull, looking for them to break, before Chris Clarkson charged on and showed impressive power to surge over from 10 metres.

Sinfield added the conversion with the final act of the half.

Coley was sin-binned two minutes after the restart for complaining too loudly after conceding another penalty and Leeds capitalised.

Burrow's perfectly-weighted kick held up before the touchline pressing Sam Tomkins to run clear and the scrum-half – operating at hooker last night – followed up with a tackle which forced the ball from the England star's grasp allowing Senior to benefit as Wigan struggled to re-group. Sinfield levelled the contest but, moments before Coley's return, Ablett was penalised for holding down Sam Tomkins and Richards quickly put them back ahead.

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When Jamie Peacock made an uncharacteristic error, Wigan seized their opportunity, Paul Deacon cutting open Leeds with a deft pass which sent Harrison Hansen racing clear from 40 metres.

The burly second-rower ignored Sam Tomkins's support to bravely attempt rounding Webb and he did it with surprising ease handing Richards another comfortable kick.

Peacock tried making up for his mistake with a rousing 50- metre charge downfield but coughed up the ball after Tomkins reigned him in to let the visitors off once more.

Gleeson confirmed Wigan's success with an embarrassingly soft try 10 minutes from time, making the most of a mix-up to sneak down the blindside before Richards added a late penalty.

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Leeds Rhinos: Webb, Donald, Delaney, Senior, Hall, Sinfield, McGuire, K Leuluai, Buderus, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Clarkson. Substitutes: Bailey, Burgess, Burrow, Lauitiiti.

Wigan Warriors: S Tomkins, Goulding, Gleeson, Carmont, Richards, Deacon, T Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, Coley, Hansen, J Tomkins, O'Loughlin. Substitutes: Paleaaesina, Farrell, Davies, Tuson.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens).

How they stand

P W D L F A Pts

Wigan 24 20 0 4 834 363 40

Warrington 23 17 0 6 753 404 34

St Helens 23 16 0 7 784 471 32

Leeds 24 14 1 9 617 535 29

Hull 23 14 0 9 477 496 28

Huddersfield 23 12 1 10 604 401 25

Hull K R 23 12 1 10 539 520 25

Castleford 23 10 0 13 546 632 20

Wakefield 23 9 0 14 475 593 18

Crusaders 22 9 0 13 415 626 18

Bradford 23 8 1 14 444 582 17

Salford 23 7 0 16 394 689 14

Harlequins 22 6 0 16 398 692 12

Catalans 23 5 0 18 355 631 10