Wigan win at Warrington

• Match Report as Wigan take the win against Warrington in pre-season.
• Jai Field was at the double as Iain Thornley made a try-scoring return in Cherry & White.
• FT | Warrington Wolves 6-14 Wigan Warriors.

Jai Field crossed for a double, with Iain Thornley also getting on the scoresheet as the Warriors secured a consecutive pre-season win.

It was an absorbing friendly at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, as Jai Field broke the deadlock, linking up with Pearce-Paul to get the opening score and converting his own effort. Iain Thornley also crossed in the first half to make it a try-scoring return in a Cherry & White jersey.

It was a quieter second half, with just a try for either side. Warrington got one back through Matty Ashton in the 54th minute before Patrick Mago sent Jai Field on his way for a second to complete the win for the Warriors.

Report

It was an even start to the game at the Halliwell Jones, with both sides going set for set in the opening 10 minutes.

The Warriors had the earliest opportunity as Kai Pearce-Paul sent Iain Thornley away on the right edge, the inside ball back to Jai Field wasn’t caught cleanly and the Warriors rued an early chance missed.

Warrington asked some early questions in response but towering kicks towards the Wigan goal line were dealt with in succession from both Liam Marshall and Jai Field.

Brad Singleton looked as though he could have opened the scoring as he crashed over the line from short range but he was adjudged to have lost the ball and Warrington were back in possession. A chip over the top from Peter Mata’utia caused some confusion for Wigan as Field knocked the ball on and saw Warrington within 20m but the threat came to nothing and it remained scoreless.

Wigan broke the deadlock in the 21st minute, a carbon copy of their early chance as Kai Pearce-Paul collected a Warrington attacking kick to race up the field and send Field, on his inside, away to score with ease under the sticks. Field converted his own effort to put Wigan 6-0 up.

Both sides continued to turn the screw in a thrilling pre-season game, but it was the Warriors who were next to strike and extend their lead, Wigan making the most of their success on the right side and shifting the ball to Iain Thornley to dive in at the corner on his return in a Cherry & White Jersey, seeing Wigan in with a 10-0 lead.

Wigan started the second half strongly as they continued to knock on the Warrington door, Cade Cust having two quick efforts to try and get his first score in Cherry & White colours but both times coming up just short.

Warrington soon had a chance on Wigan’s goal line, Josh Charnley was tackled in the air to allow the Wolves deep into Wigan territory, the hosts came within inches but couldn’t find their way over. Moments later and Warrington were asking the questions again, but strong defence from Wigan saw the Wolves’ chance go begging once more as it remained 10-0.

The hosts got their reward for the pressure in the 54th minute as a good ball fired out wide to Matty Ashton saw the Wolves open their account, Stefan Ratchford added the extras to close the scoring to 10-6 with just over a quarter of the match to go.

Wigan went over for their third of the evening just minutes later, Patrick Mago throwing a flick pass to Jai Field to race away and get his second score, the near-touchline effort from the kicking tee was just wide but Wigan held the 14-6 advantage.

Warrington were looking for a way back into it as the minutes ticked down, Josh Thewlis was ambushed by the Warriors defence to force him in to touch just short of the goal line on the right edge. With the ball back in hand Stefan Ratchford then tried to send an offload to the right wing but Miski was quick to wrap it up and get Wigan back on the attack.

Kaide Ellis was sent to the sin bin with 6 minutes left on the clock as the Warriors saw out the game with 12-men and secured a 14-6 victory in a good performance on the road.

Match action:

Warrington Wolves: Stefan Ratchford, Josh Charnley, Peter Mata’utia, Connor Wrench, Matty Ashton, Gareth Widdop, George Williams, Joe Philbin, Danny Walker, Robbie Mulhern, Ben Currie, Oliver Holmes, Matt Davis.

Interchanges: Daryl Clark, Jason Clark, Joe Bullock, Josh Thewlis, Ellis Longstaff, Ellis Robson, Riley Dean

Tries: Ashton (54′)

Goals: Ratchford 1/1

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Liam Marshall, Jake Bibby, Kai Pearce-Paul, Iain Thornley, Cade Cust, Thomas Leuluai, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Kaide Ellis, Liam Farrell, John Bateman, Willie Isa.

Interchanges: Liam Byrne, Patrick Mago, Morgan Smithies, Joe Shorrocks, Abbas Miski, Oliver Partington, Brad O’Neill, Sam Halsall, Harry Smith, Umyla Hanley, Zach Eckersley, Junior Nsemba.

Tries: Field (21′, 58′) Thornley (29′)

Goals: Field 1/3

Sin bin: Ellis (74′)

Referee: M.Griffiths

Attendance: 7,657