Warriors Reserves win against Wakefield

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Reserves win at home against Wakefield Trinity Reserves.
• Ryan Hampshire scored Wigan’s first on his return from injury.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Reserves 36-12 Wakefield Trinity Reserves.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors Reserves ran in four unanswered second half tries to take a solid 36-12 win against Wakefield Trinity Reserves.

Ryan Hampshire made his return in a Cherry & White shirt for the first time since re-signing with the Warriors in 2023, as he played his first game since suffering an ACL injury. Iain Thornley also featured as he makes his return from a knee injury following spells on loan.

Report

It was the perfect return for Ryan Hampshire as he crossed for Wigan’s opener after just four minutes, manoeuvring his way over to the right of the posts, which Zach Eckersley converted for an early 6-0 lead.

After backing up defensively under some Wakefield pressure close to the goal line, Wigan scored the second of the afternoon after a dropped ball from Trinity saw Kieran Tyrer send Jacob Douglas away down the left edge. Douglas had too much speed as he eased over, with Eckersley adding the extras to make it 12-0.

Despite the good start for Wigan, the Warriors did concede two tries in response from Wakefield. Trinity went over for their first of the afternoon after good work on the left saw Gaskell draw in the defenders before getting the ball away to Bowes in space to crash over, with the effort converted by Butterworth to make it 12-6.

Wigan were unlucky not to respond after the half hour mark as a fantastic pass from Hampshire saw Beardsworth fire through the defensive line but his ball to the outside went to ground and Wakefield had the last say of the opening half, as Tom Lineham crossed on the left wing to cut the deficit with the conversion from Butterworth making it 12-12 at the break.

Wigan came out firing as they restored their 12-point lead with two quick tries. The first came after Wakefield saw a man sent to the sin bin, with Kieran Tyrer taking advantage of the extra man to go over before Zach Eckersley crossed, converting both tries to take the score to 24-12.

Wigan extended their advantage on the hour as Forber picked out a pass to Harvie Hill who crashed over the line next to the uprights, Eckersley made it five from five with the boot to take the score to 30-12.

In no time at all, Wigan added a sixth of the afternoon through Harvie Hill who crashed over again going into the final 15 minutes, with Eckersley adding the conversion for a perfect afternoon from the tee.

Wigan extended their advantage on the hour as Forber picked out a pass to Harvie Hill who crashed over the line next to the uprights, Eckersley made it five from five with the boot to take the score to 30-12.

In no time at all, Wigan added a sixth of the afternoon through Harvie Hill who crashed over again going into the final 15 minutes, with Eckersley adding the conversion for a perfect afternoon from the tee.

Wigan saw the game out from there, despite Wakefield having plenty of territory near the goal line, completing a 36-12 win.

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors Reserves: Zach Eckersley, Reagan Sumner, Adam Jones, Iain Thornley, Jacob Douglas, Ryan Hampshire, Kieran Tyrer, Harvie Hill, Tom Forber, Harvey Makin, Finley Beardsworth, Junior Nsemba, Kavan Rothwell.

Interchange: Ellis Hobson, Tom Mitchell, Harvey Wilson, Max Wood.

18th Player: Trent Kelly-Duffy.

Tries: Hampshire (4′), Douglas (20′), Tyrer (46′), Eckersley (52′), Hill (61′, 66′)

Goals: Eckersley 6/6

Wakefield Trinity Reserves: Robbie Butterworth, Tom Lineham, Joe Law, Sam Kavanagh, Lee Kershaw, Lee Gaskell, Charlie Abraham, Jordan Schofield, Harry Bowes, Sam Eseh, Lennie Jackson, Luke Mearns, Eddie Battye.

Interchange: Josh Phillips, Harvey Smith, Dane Windrow, Ellis Roberts.

18th Player: Fred Lambert.

Tries: Bowes (26′), Lineham (38′)

Goals: Butterworth 2/2