Wheelchair Reserves beat Rochdale

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Wheelchair Reserves claim a win over Rochdale Hornets Wheelchair.
• The Warriors scored nine tries to take the win on Saturday afternoon.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Wheelchair Reserves 52-44 Rochdale Hornets Wheelchair.

A fifth win from seven in the Wheelchair Championship sees Wigan Warriors Wheelchair Reserves remain second in the table, sitting behind the unbeaten North Wales Crusaders side.

Quick to open the scoring, Mark Williams was the first to cross when he was presented with a gap in the middle of the Hornets defence. Adding the extras from the kicking tee, was Chris Greenhalgh.

Hitting right back, after putting in an up court kick, Kyran Holt took advantage of a mix up in the Wigan defence to tie the scores with a try and conversion.

Putting a bit of a run together, the Warriors regain and increased their lead with tries from Rob Gregson, a second for Williams, and Greenhalgh. Taking the ball from an eight metre restart, Gregson was able to find his way outside the last defender before showing real pace down the right touchline. Williams showed similar pace down the left, before Greenhalgh chased down his own kick to score Wigan’s fourth try and make it 22-6.

With a mixture of youth and experience, Rochdale were a real threat when in possession. The handling skills of Katie Walsh were causing all sorts of problems and it was her late pass that set Holt away for another try. He was also able to convert the try from right in front.

With 10 minutes of the half remaining, Gregson was the beneficiary after some skilful handling from his teammates helped create an overlap and give him some pace to score in the corner. Finishing the half strongly, Greenhalgh was able to take the ball to line and throwing a dummy to open up space allowing him to touchdown. Williams converting both tries for a 34-12 half time score.

Using the interchange bench well, Wigan were giving some good game time to Reece Duddle, Leila Hamrang, Wes Thomasson, Tom Welch, and Jordan Burns. Each player progressing week by week, with the efforts they are putting in paying dividends.

Despite a commanding lead, it was the Away side who started the brighter in the second half. Holt completing his hat trick on the back on an interception, with Greg Bramwell beating the retreating defenders to a down court punt.

The next try was a special one, Greenhalgh put up a kick that was allowed to bounce and beat the last defender, from there is was claimed by Reece Duddle who crossed for his first Warriors try. Making it a 6 point try, Greenhalgh took the score to 40-22 with a hour gone.

The Hornets players weren’t phased by being behind, Holt crossing for his fourth try, before Walsh was able to barge her way over from close range. This narrowed the gap to just 8 points.

Continuing to exchange tries, both sides were able to add two further tries apiece in the final 10 minutes. Firstly, a quick fire set from Wigan ended with Shaun Gash crossing the line, this was then followed by Gregson making it three for the afternoon after Williams supplied him with the killer pass. For Rochdale, Holt took his tally to five, whilst Martin Dougan brought the game to a close with his first of the game.

With the four conversions flying between the uprights, the final score was 52-44 in the favour of the Home team. It was quite an entertaining game throughout, but an absolute thriller of a second half.

Wigan Warriors: Chris Greenhalgh, Mark Williams, Wes Thomasson, Rob Gregson, Tom Welch

Interchanges: Reece Duddle, Nathan Roberts, Leila Hamrang, Shaun Gash, Jordan Burns

Tries: Williams (2), Gregson (3), Greenhalgh (2), Duddle, Gash

Goals: Greenhalgh (2/3), Williams (5/5), Thomasson (1/1)

Rochdale Hornets: Martin Dougan, Greg Bramwell, Katie Walsh, Kyran Holt, Paul Holt

Interchanges: Gavin Dobson, Finlay Hird, Wesley Groot

Tries: Holt (5), Bramwell, Walsh, Dougan

Goals: Holt (4/5), Bramwell (2/3)