Warriors lose out to Hull FC

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors lose away at Hull FC.
• Iain Thornley marked his return from injury with two tries in the game.
• FT | Hull FC 14-10 Wigan Warriors.

Wigan Warriors fell to a narrow defeat at the hands of Hull FC at the MKM Stadium on Thursday night.

Wigan went into this Betfred Super League Round 11 game in pole position in the table, unbeaten in their previous six games against Hull FC who were in tenth position having beaten Huddersfield Giants on the weekend before the International break.

Harry Smith was playing in his 100^th competitive game for Wigan Warriors having made his debut against Catalans Dragons in 2019.

Wigan also welcomed back Iain Thornley who had been out of the side since June 2022 with a serious knee injury which required surgery. Iain had been on loan at Barrow and Oldham in the opening weeks of the season to get some game time and was included on the left wing in place of Liam Marshall.

On the bench for Hull FC was Jake Trueman, poised to make his debut after recovering from a serious knee injury as a Castleford Tigers player.

Report

Hull took the lead on 5 minutes when winger Darnell McIntosh dived over in the corner for his third try of the season. Although in the corner, Jake Clifford struck the conversion well to give Hull FC a 6-0 lead.

Wigan’s scrambling defence was called upon on a couple of occasions and scrum half Jake Clifford’s tactical kicks were creating opportunities. Clifford scored Hull FC’s second try on 15 minutes despite a last ditch tackle by Joe Shorrocks. The Video Referee awarded the try and Clifford added the conversion to give the home side a 12-0 lead.

The rain and swirling wind weren’t helping Wigan’s cause but Hull FC to their credit were full of enthusiasm and frustrating Wigan’s attempts to get back into the game. Hull FC increased their lead to 14-0 on 29 minutes when Liam Farrell was adjudged to have tackled Ligi Sao high and Jake Clifford nailed the kick without any problem from 20 metres out.

Wigan’s best chance of the half came on 32 minutes when Bevan French put Iain Thornley clear on the left edge. Thornley raced toward the line and was agonisingly close to scoring when he was tackled.

This sparked Wigan’s game who upped the pressure and Iain Thornley dived in at the corner on the left edge on 38 minutes from a Bevan French pass. Harry Smith, kicking into a strong wind kicked the perfect conversion to reduce the arrears to 8 points at the break.

The rain was pouring down as the second half started. Tony Smith introduced new signing Jake Trueman into the action to the delight of the home fans.

On 42 minutes a kick by Joe Shorrocks was chased into the in goal area where both Shorrocks and Abbas Miski forced a drop out.

Wigan gathered the ball and surged forward creating an opportunity for Iain Thornley who raced in to score his second try on 44 minutes. Harry Smith’s conversion attempt drifted agonisingly wide, but Wigan were right back in it at 14-10.

Wigan were using the conditions to their advantage and a high swirling kick from Harry Smith was spilled by Cameron Scott giving advantage Wigan 30 metres out. Hull FC’s defence held firm before Joe Shorrocks was penalised for offloading when the referee had called ‘held’.

Wigan were piling on the pressure in their efforts to pull the scores level but Hull FC’s defence was holding firm. Hull FC had a great opportunity to score on 67 mins but Bevan French intercepted and raced 30 metres before he was stopped.

In the closing seconds Harry Smith sent up a huge kick which Litten fumbled, however another handling error under the posts meant Wigan were left to rue some missed opportunities. Jake Trueman was sent to the sin bin in the 79th minute after holding down in the tackle, before a dropped ball over the goal line confirmed the victory for the home side at the MKM Stadium.

Gallery:

Hull FC: Davy Litten, Darnell McIntosh, Carlos Tuimavave, Liam Sutcliffe, Cam Scott, Jake Clifford, Ben McNamara, Danny Houghton, Ligi Sao, Josh Griffin, Jordan Lane, Joe Cator.

Interchange: Jake Trueman, Chris Satae, Scott Taylor, Brad Dwyer.

18th Player: Josaia Lovodua. (Unused)

Tries: McIntosh (5′), Clifford (15′)

Goals: Clifford 3/3

Sin Bin: Jake Trueman (79′)

Wigan Warriors: Bevan French, Abbas Miski, Toby King, Jake Wardle, Iain Thornley, Joe Shorrocks, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne, Kai Pearce-Paul, Liam Farrell, Morgan Smithies

Interchange: Patrick Mago, Brad O’Neill, Harvie Hill, Junior Nsemba.

18th Player: Ryan Hampshire. (Unused)

Tries: Thornley (37′, 44′)

Goals: Smith 1/2

Referee: Ben Thaler

Attendance: 10,251