First-half tries from Jake Wardle and Brad O’Neill gave Wigan Warriors the sting at half time within the top-of-the-table conflict; Harry Smith pulled the strings and kicked a vital penalty and drop aim within the second half; Warrington Wolves’ Greg Minikin had a late attempt contentiously dominated out
Final Up to date: 14/04/23 10:31pm
Harry Smith performed a starring function as Wigan Warriors grew to become the primary workforce to beat Warrington Wolves in 2023 with a 13-6 win which minimize the hole on the high of the Betfred Tremendous League desk.
Jake Wardle’s fourth attempt of the season and Brad O’Neill’s first attempt for his membership put the Warriors in command within the first-vs-second conflict, however the Wolves hit again by Matty Nicholson three minutes earlier than half time to make it 10-6 to the guests on the break.
Half-back Smith, who transformed one in all Wigan’s first-half tries, prolonged the lead with a penalty after play resumed after which landed a drop aim with simply over quarter-hour remaining to present his aspect a seven-point cushion.
That in the end proved sufficient to safe victory for the Warriors, with the Wolves’ Greg Minikin contentiously having a late attempt dominated out by the video referee, and can have undoubtedly given watching England head coach Shaun Wane loads to ponder forward of the upcoming worldwide towards France on this floor on April 29.
Story of the sport
After final week’s derby defeat of champions St Helens, Matt Peet’s aspect have now gained 5 in succession. Certainly, Wigan began nicely on the Halliwell Jones Stadium and opened the scoring after 5 minutes as Smith and Bevan French mixed to place Wardle by a spot for a easy end.
Smith’s conversion try hit the publish and Wigan missed one other probability so as to add to the rating when Liam Marshall knocked on in sight of the road.
Warrington dug deep to repel extra Wigan strain however they cracked once more within the twenty eighth minute when French’s intelligent chip inside was claimed by O’Neill and the substitute slammed the ball down.
This time Smith was profitable to present the Warriors a deserved 10-0 lead however the hosts responded with a blistering breakaway attempt.
It got here out of nowhere as George Williams broke up one more Wigan assault earlier than releasing Matty Ashton down the left.
Wigan received again shortly and halted Matt Dufty brief after the ball was labored again inside however play was unfold to the correct and Nicholson discovered area toscore.
With Stefan Ratchford including the extras the sport was again within the steadiness on the break however, regardless of a rise in possession, Warrington struggled to interrupt Wigan down.
Smith edged the guests additional forward with a penalty after which added a one-pointer as time ran out.
Josh Drinkwater and Minikin went over in fast succession late on because the Wolves tried to claw again the deficit, however the video referee denied them each.
What they mentioned
Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet
“We glance related, we’re enjoying nicely, defensively we glance robust. There may be loads of enchancment in us, nevertheless it’s a protracted season and it will ebb and move.
“We sat behind Harry’s kicking sport and defending like our lives relied on it, which makes me very proud as a coach.”
Warrington Wolves head coach Daryl Powell
“There are some classes there, after which we have now a few tries disallowed – one in all them I am undecided why.
“You may win video games from being underneath excessive strain and we’ll get a good lesson from tonight and transfer on.”
Participant of the match Harry Smith
“We knew we needed to come right here and play nicely to get the win, and I assumed we did that.
“It was a really robust sport, however one have been glad to come back out on the correct aspect of.”
What’s subsequent?
Warrington now face the journey to reigning champions St Helens on Friday, April 21, reside on Sky Sports activities (8pm). Wigan are at residence to Wakefield Trinity two days later (3pm).
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