Early omens looked good for Warrington. Wigan gained a line-out on the Warrington 5 metre line, albeit from a penalty, but despite winning the ball could make no headway against Warrington’s implacable defence. In particular, back rower Joe Craven’s aggressive tackling and swift contention for the ball meant turnovers for Warrington or slow ball for Wigan.

A well-rehearsed loop between stand-off JP Hudson and centre James Hartill with full back Harrison Turner also coming into the line took Warrington from 22 to 22 before Wigan scrambled the ball into touch. Unfortunately, this fluency was scarce in evidence in the remainder of the game.

With ten minutes gone, Hudson slotted a penalty from the Wigan 22 to give Warrington the lead but Wigan equalised ten minutes later when Warrington in turn were penalised for sealing off. 3-3.

Although Wigan were now getting more a than their fair share of possession, robust tackling from Downes and jackaling from Craven denied them much advantage until the twenty fifth minute when Warrington were penalised for not releasing the ball carrier in the tackle. A successful conversion edged Wigan into the lead. 6-3.

From the restart Warrington’s clearance kick failed to find touch, and Wigan ran the ball back, moving the ball slickly down their back division to earn a try, duly converted, wide on their left. 13-3.

Warrington countered when a well weighted kick from Hudson was snapped up by full back Turner. Breaking through a couple of tackles Turner appeared to be through for a try but elected to pass to brother Luke on the wing. Unfortunately, the pass did not go to hand and the opportunity was lost.

Two minutes later Warrington did make sure. A cross kick from Hudson and a good chase from winger Harvey Matthews, making a welcome return to the fold after a considerable lay off, regained possession for Warrington and via Downes and Rowan delivered the ball for a try from the irresistible Harry Kellett then converted by Hudson. 13-10.

Warrington mishandled the restart and missing touch with their clearance kick put themselves under pressure in their own 22. A penalty against them for entering from the side of maul gave Wigan an easy 3 points.

Half-time score 16-10.

Wigan quickly extended their lead with a well-earned a converted try from a fluent passage of back play, 23-10 and nearly repeated the operation two minutes later but for the last pass being forward. Twelve minutes into the half Wigan earned a yellow card, seemingly for an opinion too many and second shortly after for a high tackle. Despite some frantic activity from Warrington, Wigan’s thirteen men held out and it wasn’t until they had been restored to full strength that Warrington breached their line.

From a scrum in the Wigan 22, captain and No8 Danny Fleming, picked up and slipped the ball to JP Hudson. Quick hands put Luke Turner in in the corner, conversion Hudson 23-17.

A period of sustained forward pressure followed by timely passing to the wing gave Wigan a final try with five minutes to go. 28-17.

From the restart Warrington earned a penalty which delivered a line-out on the half way line.
A well-rehearsed move got the ball away at the front of the line and had Turner streaking for the line but the last pass again judged forward ensured no loosing bonus point.

FT 28-17

Honours were fairly even in the set pieces but Wigan had both territorial and processional advantage and moved the ball well in their back division. Although one of Warrington’s tries did result from an astute kick and good chase, kicks at the wrong time and not kicking at the right time proved costly.

Report by Roy Potts WRUFC