Super League: Leigh's dramatic golden point drop goal seals historic victory against Wigan

Gareth O'Brien's drop goal secured a 1-nil win

Author: Grace O'HarePublished 14th Feb 2025
Last updated 14th Feb 2025

Leigh took a dramatic victory against defending champions Wigan on an historic opening night of rugby league's Super League season.

The teams played out a nil-nil draw for the first time in the competition's history to force golden-point extra time.

Gareth O'Brien's drop goal secured a 1-nil win two minutes into the additional period.

It sparked massive celebrations and secured Leigh's first win at Wigan since 1983.

The match was also the lowest-scoring Super League game and was also the highest-attended Super League opener in the competition's history.

Match-winner Gareth O'Brain said: "It was a really tough game. We've not beaten Wigan so to get the win means a lot.

"The scoreline shows how tough the game was, with defences coming out on top, both team scrambling and putting it all on the line."

Speaking post-match, Wigan's Matt Peet said: “‘It was tough to lose but it was a high quality game that was very intense. There will be plays we look back on that we could have executed better at times but I was proud of the effort, energy and physicality of the group.”

Last year's Grand Final runners-up Hull KR play Castleford tonight, while Catalans Dragons start their season at home to Hull FC.

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