Rueful Noble thinks Wigan should have beaten Leeds
Brian Noble felt Wigan should have won
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Saturday, 31, May 2008 08:33
Wigan Warriors coach Brian Noble was proud of his players even though they lost 23-16 to Leeds Rhinos in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup today.
The Rhinos outscored Wigan four tries to two, but Noble was adamant that his team deserved to win a bruising match at the Headingley Carnegie stadium.
Wigan were behind for most of the match, but they only trailed 18-16 heading into the last quarter of the game.
They had a great chance to take the lead at 18-16 down when Liam Colbon was on the verge of crossing the try-line before he was tackled by both Brent Webb and Danny McGuire.
It was crucial miss as Leeds went to the other end of the pitch almost immediately and they did not let their try-scoring chance slip as Scott Donald crashed over to score, before Kevin Sinfield kicked a drop-goal to win the game for the Rhinos.
"It would have been worthy of the final. On any other given day, I think we would have come away with the spoils," said Noble.
"The effort was terrific from the players and sometimes the best team doesn't come away with the spoils. We just couldn't quite get to their half of the field enough times in the second half.
"We really tried to play. The boys had a huge dig but the bounce of the ball has gone Leeds' way."
Wigan can now turn their attentions to Super League, they are currently at fourth place – a massive eight points behind league leaders Leeds.