Super League: Leeds Rhinos 18-16 Wigan Warriors

Tom Briscoe made his first appearance since March as Leeds edged to victory over Wigan

Leeds held off a late Wigan fightback to move off the bottom of Super League and deny the Warriors top spot.

The Rhinos have beaten the division's top two, Hull FC and Wigan, since being consigned to a place in The Qualifiers.

Kallum Watkins held off numerous tackles to touch down for Leeds, before Wigan's Josh Charnley reduced the gap.

Adam Cuthbertson and Brett Ferres confirmed the Warriors' first defeat in nine games, despite Jack Higginson and George Williams crossing for Wigan.

Williams' wonderful individual try gave the visitors hope but, unlike their last-gasp win over Wakefield seven days earlier, they could not snatch a late victory and remain behind leaders Hull on points difference.

• READ: Widnes Vikings 24-32 Salford Red Devils

Wigan, who were without injured full-back Sam Tomkins and suspended captain Sean O'Loughlin, gave a debut to New Zealand prop Frank-Paul Nuuausala.

Reigning champions Leeds, meanwhile, have seen their form improve since welcoming back some of their long-term injury victims.

England winger Tom Briscoe was the latest to return, making his first appearance since March, as Leeds repeated their 2015 Grand Final success over Wigan to send Huddersfield to the foot of the table.

Leeds Rhinos: Sutcliffe; Briscoe, Watkins, Moon, Hall; Lilley, Burrow; Galloway, Segeyaro, Singleton, Achurch, Ablett, Jones-Buchanan.

Replacements: Cuthbertson, Delaney, Keinhorst, Ferres.

Wigan Warriors: Tierney; Charnley, Gildart, Sarginson, Manfredi; Williams, Smith; Bretherton, Powell, Flower, Sutton, Isa, Mossop.

Replacements: Tautai, Nuuausala, Shorrocks, Higginson.

Referee: Robert Hicks