ADRIAN Lam challenged Leigh Leopards to win their remaining seven Super League games to ensure an extension to their season.

His side’s third Battle of the Borough defeat in 2024, this time by 28-6, was a blow to the club’s play-off ambitions.

But Lam, admitting the gamble to play full-back Matt Moylan backfired, said: “I believe in the group and there is no reason why we can’t win all of them.

“There are a lot of players leaving the club at the end of the season. There is an emotional connection and hopefully it can steel us as a group.

“We were always going to be in a position to fight for that (top six) regardless of the outcome. I never give up hope and I trust in the group.

“I just need that reciprocated and I am sure it will be. I have no doubt we will stick together through this and respond accordingly.”

Leopards, who return to action against Hull FC at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday, remain eighth, five points off the top six.

They never recovered from falling 10-0 down after Jack Hughes’ early sin binning. With Moylan clearly unsettled by a rib issue, it rarely got any better for the visitors.

For Wigan, they marked Billy Boston’s 90th birthday in style by returning to Super League’s summit.

And both sets of fans acclaimed Keely Hodgkinson’s stunning Olympic 800 metres victory before kick-off.

Footage of the track star’s race and medal presentation was broadcast on the big screen as both squads went through their pre-game warm-ups.

And Leigh owner Derek Beaumont hung a banner from the directors’ box: ‘Keely Hodgkinson is massive everywhere she goes’

Hughes made an inauspicious start against one of his former teams, knocking on with one of his first touches and then sin binned for a high tackle on Kruise Leeming.

His indiscretion was quickly punished after more Leopards’ indiscipline saw them concede a penalty for offside on their own 10 metre line.

There was still work to do for Junior Nsemba when he picked up a loose pass, but his slaloming run took him clear of Kai O’Donnell, Lachlan Lam and Moylan to touch down. Adam Keighran kicked the first of four goals.

Frankie Halton’s error then saw Wigan extend their lead with Hughes still on the sidelines.

Nsemba again collected the ball before Liam Marshall and Jake Wardle combined with the latter strolling in from 30 metres.

With Leigh back to 13, they offered more of an attacking threat and Brad Dwyer was held up on the home line.

But another handling error - this time by Umyla Hanley - gifted Wigan easy starting possession.

Leigh’s lack of tackling, particularly by struggling Moylan, made Adam Keighran’s job of scoring after 34 minutes even easier.

And there was hardly a hand laid on Patrick Mago when he rumbled over just before half-time. Keighran improved both to make it 22-0 at the break.

It was no surprise when Moylan didn’t reappear for the second half, replaced by Zak Hardaker.

Leigh badly needed a response and it was provided firstly by O’Donnell’s powerful surge and offload  and then by Lam who backed up superbly to slide over for a try finally confirmed by video referee Ben Thaler.

However, any comeback hopes were crushed when Harvie Hill followed Leeming’s kick over the tryline to touch down.

Former Wigan favourite Josh Charnley - on his 350th club appearance - and Darnell McIntosh had late tries disallowed but Leigh finished well beaten.

Wigan: Eckersley; Miski, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall; Hampshire, Smith; Havard, Leeming, Thompson, Nsemba, Farrell, Ellis, Mago; Replacements: Mago, Dupree, Walters, Hill.

Tries: Nsemba (9), Wardle (16), Keighran (34), Mago (38), Hill (56)

Goals: Keighran 4/5

Leigh: Moylan; McIntosh, Hanley, Leutele, Charnley; Hughes, Lam; Trout, Ipape,Mulhern, O’Donnell, Halton, Asiata; replacements: Dwyer, Hardaker, Pene, Davis.

Tries: Lam (44)

Goals: McIntosh 1/1

Half-time: 22-0

Referee: Chris Kendall

Attendance: 13,249