Some Magic memories for Wigan fans

2007

St Helens 34 Wigan 18

Crowd: 32,384

Wigan and St Helens brought the curtain down on day one of the first Magic Weekend in 2007, but during a time when St Helens very much had a hold over derby matches, it wasn’t a pleasant experience for Warriors fans.

Down 22-6 at half-time, Wigan were never it from Francis Meli’s seventh-minute try – though Warriors stemmed the tide in the second half.

But the major talking point of that weekend was the following day, when Leeds snatched a dramatic 42-38 win over Bradford.

Down 38-36 with seconds to go, Steve Ganson awarded Leeds a controversial penalty near half-way.

Going for two, Kevin Sinfield’s attempt hit the post, and Jordan Tansey scored to snatch the win, despite being a mile offside.

St Helens: Paul Wellens; Stephen Tyrer, Matt Gidley, Willie Talau, Francis Meli; Leon Pryce, Sean Long; Nick Fozzard, Keiron Cunningham, Jason Cayless, Jon Wilkin, Paul Sculthorpe; Bryn Hargreaves

Subs: James Roby, James Graham, Paul Clough, Maurie Fa’asavalu

Wigan: Chris Ashton; Mark Calderwood, Phil Bailey, David Vaealiki, Pat Richards; Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai; Stuart Fielden, Shane Millard, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Gareth Hock, Bryan Fletcher; Sean o’Loughlin

Subs: Mick Higham, Paul Prescott, Harrison Hansen, Darrell Goulding

2008

Wigan 16 St Helens 57

Crowd: 28,500

It was ugly.

The Magic concept seemed to have cast a nasty spell over Wigan, making them forget how to play rugby, as they were 35-0 down before Tommy Leuluai scored to ensure the Warriors weren’t nilled.

At least there were plenty of pubs for Wigan fans to drown their sorrows in.

If only then they’d have known it would be the last loss (to date) they would have to endure at a Magic Weekend.

Wigan: Richard Mathers; Liam Colbon, Darrell Goulding, George Carmont, Pat Richards; Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai; Stuart Fielden, Mick Higham, Paul Prescott, Harrison Hansen, Andy Coley; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Joel Tomkins, Eamon O’Carroll, Thomas Coyle

St Helens: Paul Wellens; Ade Gardner, Matt Gidley, Willie Talau, Francis Meli; Leon Pryce, Sean Long; Jason Cayless, Keiron Cunningham, James Graham, Lee Gilmour, Chris Flannery; Jon Wilkin

Subs: James Roby, Mike Bennett, Bryn Hargreaves, Paul Clough

2009

Wigan 38 St Helens 18

Crowd: 29,627

Magic moved north to Scotland in 2009, and playing at Murrayfield evoked memories of the 2002 Challenge Cup Final at the venue as Wigan finally broke their Magic Weekend duck.

The build-up to the game was dominated by coach Brian Noble’s decision to leave in-form winger Shaun Ainscough out of the squad, but Warriors were good to pick up the win and bring themselves within two points of a play-off place.

Wigan: Cameron Phelps; Amos Roberts, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards; Tim Smith, Thomas Leuluai; Stuart Fielden, Mike McIlorum, Andy Coley, Gareth Hock, Phil Bailey; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Iafeta Paleaaesina, Joel Tomkins, Paul Prescott, Sam Tomkins

St Helens: Paul Wellens; Ade gardner, Matt Gidley, Lee Gilmour, Francis Meli; Leon Pryce, Sean Long; Tony Puletua, Keiron Cunningham, James Graham, Matty Ashurst, Chris Flannery; Paul Clough

Subs: James Roby, Bryn Hargreaves, Kyle Eastmond, Maurie Fa’asavalu

2010

Wigan 28 Huddersfield 10

Crowd: 25,401

Michael Maguire’s Wigan faced opposition other than St Helens for the first time at Magic on their way to topping the table and winning the 2010 title.

Against a who’s who of ex-Warriors (Huddersfield had four in their ranks) the score looked closer than the game was, with Wigan 28-4 up with 15 minutes to go.

Wigan: Pat Richards; Darrell Goulding, Stefan Marsh, George Carmont, Karl Pryce; Sam Tomkins, Thomas Leuluai; Stuart Fielden, Mike McIlorum, Andy Coley, Phil Bailey, Joel Tomkins; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Mark Riddell, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Eamon O’Carroll, Liam Farrell

Huddersfield: Leroy Cudjoe; Scott Grix, Michael Lawrence, Paul Whatuira, David Hodgson; Kevin Brown, Danny Brough; Keith Mason, Luke Robinson, Eorl Crabtree, Lee Gilmour, Graeme Horne; Martin Aspinwall

Subs: Andy Raleigh, Brad Drew, David Faiumu, Larne Patrick

2011

St Helen s 16 Wigan 16

Crowd: 30,891

Magic moved back to Cardiff in 2011 and, instead of spring sunshine, the Weekend opened the season on a freezing February weekend.

Wigan, now champions, went into a 16-0 lead before Saints fought back and snatched a draw.

St Helens: Paul Wellens; Ade Gardner, Michael Shenton, Jonny Lomax, Francis Meli; Gary Wheeler, Kyle Eastmond; James Graham, James Roby, Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Iosia Soliola, Jon Wilkin; Scott Moore

Subs: Tony Puletua, Paul clough, Andrew Dixon, Jamie Foster

Wigan: Sam Tomkins; Darrell Goulding, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Josh Charnley; Paul Deacon, Thomas Leuluai; Jeff Lima, Mike McIlorum, Andy Coley, Ryan Hoffman, Joel Tomkins; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Harrison Hansen, Paul Prescott, Lee Mossop, Liam Farrell

2012

St Helens 16 Wigan 42

Crowd: 32,953

A blistering start put Wigan 26-0 up after just 23 minutes as Magic Weekend moved to Manchester for the first time.

The sight of Sam Tomkins tearing helpless Saints apart prompted Wigan fans to go bananas and start a rave-like celebration in the concourse… at half-time.

The second-half followed much the same pattern until a fight erupted in the 51st minute, resulting in red cards for Gareth Hock, the moheicaned Chris Tuson and Shaun Magennis of Saints, making the last half-hour of the contest 12 v 11.

Despite killing the flow of the game, it only added more for fans to cheer about (because we don’t like biff...honest…), and ensure an eternity of YouTube watches.

St Helens:Paul Wellens; Ade Gardner, Michael Shenton, Gary Wheeler; Francis Meli, Lance Hohaia, Jonny Lomax; Josh Perry, James Roby, Anthony Laffranchi, Iosia Soliola, Chris Flannery; Jon Wilkin

Subs: Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Tony Puletua, Paul Clough, Shaun Magennis

Wigan: Sam Tomkins; Josh Charnley, Darrell Goulding, George Carmont, Anthony Gelling; Brett Finch, Thomas Leuluai; Gil Dudson, Mike McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Harrison Hansen, Gareth Hock; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Jeff Lima, Liam Farrell, Chris Tuson, Epalahame Lauaki

2013

Wigan 20 Leeds 16

Crowd: 31,249

Leeds’ first crack at Wigan at a Magic Weekend made for a tense clash, but Shaun Wane’s Warriors were up to the task to go three points clear at the top of the table.

Sam Tomkins, Pat Richards and Josh Charnley scored tries as Wigan amassed all their points in the first half and had to defend well to secure the win.

Leeds: Zak hardaker; Joe Vickery, Kallum Watkins, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall; Danny McGuire, Kevin Sinfield, Kylie Leuluai, Rob Burrow; Ryan Bailey, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Chris Clarkson; Liam Sutcliffe

Subs: Paul McShane, Ian Kirke, Mitch Achurch, Brad Singleton

Wigan: Sam Tomkins; Josh Charnley, Darrell Goulding, Iain Thornley, Pat Richards; Sam Powell, Matty Smith; Ben Flower, Mike McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Harrison Hansen, Liam Farrell; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Epalahame Lauaki, Chris Tuson, Logan Tomkins, Dom Crosby

2014

Wigan 18 Leeds 14

36,339

The last Magic Weekend to be played at Manchester City to date proved to be a carbon copy of the first meeting between Wigan and Leeds at the venue.

In front of comfortably the biggest Magic Weekend crowd before the switch to Newcastle, the champions managed to hold of the challenge from Leeds, who were top of the table, despite a second-half fightback.

A high tackle from Mike McIlorum in the first half caused a mini Royal Rumble which saw McIlorum and John Bateman sin-binned, along with Leeds’ Ryan Bailey.

But McIlorum redeemed himself with a second-half try which ultimately sealed the win.

Wigan: Matty Bowen; Dom Manfredi, Anthony Gelling, Dan Sarginson, Joe Burgess; Blake Green, Matty Smith; Scott Taylor, George Williams; Gil Dudson, Jack Hughes, John Bateman; Mike McIlorum

Subs: Darrell Goulding, Dom Crosby, Sam Powell, Ryan Sutton

Leeds: Zak Hardaker; Ben Jones-Bishop, Liam Sutcliffe, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall; Kevin Sinfield, Danny McGuire; Kylie Leuluai; Carl Ablett, Jamie Peacock, Chris Clarkson, Mitch Achurch; Brett Delaney

Subs: Stevie Ward, Ryan Bailey, Ian Kirke, Brad Singleton

2015

Wigan 27 Leeds 12

Crowd: 40,871

Leading just 14-12 at the break after being 12-4 down at one point, it looked as if Wigan’s Magic Weekend run was about to come to a halt.

But an inspirational double from Matty Bowen in the second half nicely supplemented highlight-worthy tries from Joe Burgess and George Williams in the first half to ensure the Rhinos were left in the rear-view mirror come full-time.

Leeds: Zak Hardaker; Ash Handley, Kallum Watkins, Joel Moon, Ryan Hall; Kevin Sinfield, Danny McGuire; Adam Cuthbertson, PauL Aiton, Jamie Peacock, Stevie Ward, Brett Delaney; Carl Ablett

Subs: Rob Burrow, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Mitch Achurch, Brad Singleton

Wigan: Matty Bowen; Josh Charnley, Joel Tomkins, Dan Sarginson, Joe Burgess; George Williams, Matty Smith; Dom Crosby, Mike McIlorum, Lee Mossop, John Bateman, Larne Patrick; Sean O’Loughlin

Subs: Ben Flower, Taulima Tautai, Ryan Sutton, Conor Farrell