Warriors beaten by Hull FC

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors narrowly lost to Hull FC at the MKM Stadium.
• Despite crossing for four tries, the Warriors fell to a third defeat of the season.
• FT | Hull FC 24-22 Wigan Warriors.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors were narrowly beaten 24-22 by hull fc at the mkm stadium.

Despite crossing in the first half through Liam Marshall, the Warriors trailed 18-4 at the break following a strong start from the hosts.

The Warriors fought back with tries from Brad O’Neill, Marshall and Zach Eckersley to reduce the points difference to two, however, Wigan were unable to add further points as they fell to a first defeat since April.

Report

The hosts opened the scoring after four minutes when Jack Walker collected a loose ball to dive over as Jack Charles added the extras from the tee.

The Warriors almost responded on 14 minutes when Zach Eckersley broke through the Hull FC line before passing inside to Liam Farrell who was stopped 20m out. Jack Farrimond almost weaved his way through on the next tackle, however, the hosts stood firm in defence to prevent any score.

Hull FC were penalised for kicking out on the full, and after multiple carries through the middle, play was worked to the left edge where Eckersley’s cut-out pass allowed Marshall to score in the corner. The hosts remained in front as the touchline conversion drifted wide.

A physical encounter continued at the MKM Stadium as the hosts forced a handling error from the Warriors 10m out. On the first tackle out the scrum, Jake Trueman’s short pass created space for Liam Sutcliffe to score as Charles kicked the extras for a 12-4 lead.

The Warriors almost scored a second try of the game before the half hour mark after gaining metres off a Hull FC error from a drop out. First Jake Wardle was denied after evading multiple tackles out wide before Junior Nsemba was stopped just short after claiming a high kick on the final tackle.

A handling error from the Warriors allowed Hull FC to begin their attacking set inside the Wigan half which in return saw a third try scored when Davy Litten collected a high kick to ground. Charles added the extras to widen the lead to 18-4 with 32 minutes on the clock.

The Warriors were reduced to 12-players after 34 minutes when Tyler Dupree was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. The Warriors crossed through Farrell with a minute remaining, however, the try was denied by the video referee who ruled that a tackle had already been completed in the build up.

The hosts, who led 18-4 at the interval, extended their lead on 43 minutes when Denive Balmforth spun free from a tackle before powering over from close range. Charles made no mistake with the kick to make the score 24-4.

The Warriors were denied a second try by the video referee on 53 minutes when a quick exchange of passes on the right edge saw Abbas Miski burst clear down the wing, however, the winger made contact with touch before grounding.

The points difference was cut after the hour when Brad O’Neill forced his way over after Harry Smith initially made metres out the scrum. Keighran added the extras to make the score 24-10 on 63 minutes.

Hull FC were reduced to 12 with eight minutes remaining when Litten was shown a yellow card for a high shot on Farrimond after an electric break through the middle. The Warriors immediately benefitted when Smith’s cut-out pass picked out Marshall on the wing who accelerated over with Keighran adding the extras.

The lead was cut once more minutes later when a quick move from the Warriors saw Wardle combine with Eckersley who burst away from the defence to dive over. A successful kick from Keighran brought the Warriors to within two points.

The Warriors applied pressure to the Hull FC defence with the last attack of the contest, however, O’Neill’s kick to the corner was claimed by the hosts who held on to claim the two points.

Gallery:

Hull FC: Jack Walker, Tom Briscoe, Davy Litten, Liam Sutcliffe, Lewis Martin, Jake Trueman, Jack Charles, Herman Ese’ese, Morgan Smith, Ligi Sao, Jordan Lane, Ed Chamberlain, Yusuf Aydin.

Interchange: Will Gardiner, Matt Laidlaw, Denive Balmforth, King Vuniyayawa.

18th Player: Harvey Barron.

Tries: Walker (5′), Sutcliffe (21′), Litten (32′), Balmforth (43′).

Goals: Charles (4/4).

Sin-bin: Litten (72′).

Wigan Warriors: Zach Eckersley, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Jack Farrimond, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.

Interchange: Liam Byrne, Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Sam Walters.

18th Player: Harvie Hill.

Tries: Marshall (16′, 72′), O’Neill (63′), Eckersley (74′).

Goals: Keighran (3/4).

Sin-bin: Dupree (34′)

Attendance: 5,771

Referee: Aaron Moore.