Warriors win against Warrington

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors ran out winners against Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
• Tries from Jake Wardle and Brad O’Neill paired with a Harry Smith penalty goal and drop goal saw the Warriors to the win.
• FT | Warrington Wolves 6-13 Wigan Warriors.

Wigan Warriors ended Warrington Wolves unbeaten start to the season with a resolute performance in front of Warrington Wolves biggest ever Super League crowd.

Report

Wigan Warriors, fresh from the Good Friday victory over St Helens made the 14 mile trip to the Halliwell Jones Stadium to take on top of the table Warrington Wolves who boasted a 100% record with eight straight victories in the 2023 Betfred Super League.

A near capacity crowd with a big following from Wigan made sure that the atmosphere was going to be electric for the game. The added bonus was the game was being played for the Locker Cup, an old tradition between the clubs, dating back to 1938.

Both sides tested one another out in the opening sets and Wigan forced a goal line drop out when Matty Ashton was forced into the in-goal area by the chasing Wigan defenders. Wigan mounted an attack from the restart and Jake Wardle crossed for a try on 5 minutes. Harry Smith’s conversion hit the upright. The try came at a cost though as Brad Singleton hobbled off with a leg injury and was taken to the dressing room by Professor Chris Brooks to be assessed.

The rain started to come down and the conditions became difficult for both sides with the slippy conditions creating problems but Wigan’s defence was immense and on 17 minutes Harry Smith tackled and stopped Sam Kasiano in his tracks with a huge tackle.

The game, played between the two teams with the best defences in Super League was a real arm wrestle. Wigan created an overlap on the right edge on 22 minutes but the last pass was agonisingly knocked on by Bevan French as the line beckoned.

Scoring opportunities were at a premium and all the energy sapping tackles were taking their toll.

On 28 minutes Wigan doubled their lead when Brad O’Neill powered his way over. Referee Chris Kendall gave an on field ‘No Try’ decision but was overruled by the video referee much to the delight of the Wigan fans. Harry Smith converted and Wigan had a 10-0 lead.

On 36 minutes Warrington finally found a way through the previously resolute Wigan Warriors defence when ex Wiganer Matty Nicholson touched down on an overlap on the Wigan left edge. Stefan Ratchford converted and the home crowd volume levels were deafening.

When the hooter sounded both sides were applauded from the field for their first half efforts.

Wigan kicked off the second half attacking the end packed with the travelling army of fans. On 43 minutes Patrick Mago was pushed at the pay the ball and referee Kendall awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Harry Smtih kicked the points without any problem.

As in the first half both sides had well drilled defences and scoring opportunities were only being created by kicks on the sixth tackle.

On the hour Bevan French caught the ball on his own line and set off one of his trademark runs making 50 metres before he was ankle tapped.

On 64 minutes Harry Smith dropped a goal from close range to give Wigan a seven point lead meaning the home side were two scores behind. Wigan started to real assert their superiority pegging Warrington back in their own half and forcing a goal line drop out.

A half chance was created on 68 minutes when a pass to Toby King on the right edge was round his ankles and he just failed to catch it. The relentless defence from both sides was a credit to their fitness levels as no quarter was asked or given.

Warrington, desperate to keep their unbeaten record intact would not lie down and they crossed the line on 78 minutes but the video referee deemed it no try. The home side again crossed the line with only 30 seconds remaining and again no try was the video referee decision.

Gallery:

Warrington Wolves: Matt Dufty, Josh Thewlis, Peter Mata’utia, Stefan Ratchford, Matty Ashton, George Williams, Josh Drinkwater, Sam Kasiano, Danny Walker, Paul Vaughan, Ben Currie, Matty Nicholson, Josh McGuire.

Interchange: Daryl Clark, Greg Minikin, Matty Russell, Lucas Green.

18th Player: Luke Thomas.

Tries: Nicholson (36′)

Goals: Ratchford 1/1

Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Abbas Miski, Toby King, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Joe Shorrocks, Harry Smith, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.

Interchange: Ethan Havard, Patrick Mago, Kai Pearce-Paul, Brad O’Neill.

18th Player: Iain Thornley.

Tries: Wardle (5′), O’Neill (27′)

Goals: Smith 2/3

Drop Goals: Smith (64′)

Referee: Chris Kendall

Attendance: 15,026