Warriors defeated by Wolves

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors fall to defeat against Warrington Wolves at The Brick Community Stadium.
• Liam Marshall scored Wigan’s only try of the game in the defeat.
• FT | Wigan Warriors 4-40 Warrington Wolves.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors fall to Defeat at The Brick Community Stadium on Friday night.

The first half saw Warrington build up a 14-point advantage with tries from Lindop, Holroyd and Ashton with the Warriors offering a response from Liam Marshall to see them teams in at 4-18 at the break.

Warrington added four further tries in the second half through Lindop, Ashton, Thewlis and Tai. Matt Dufty was sent to the sin bin to see the Wolves finish the game with 12-men as Warrington took home the victory.

Report

Warrington flew out of the blocks at The Brick Community Stadium, forcing a knock-on close to the Warriors goal line before Arron Lindop opened the scoring, chasing a grubber kick through from Matt Dufty to ground in front of the Heatable South Stand. Josh Thewlis converted the effort from out wide for an early 6-0 advantage.

Wigan hit back in the 13th minute as Liam Marshall leapt to collect an inch perfect Harry Smith kick to the corner. Harry Smith hit a 40/20 in the build-up and working well towards the goal line, the scrum half spotted space on the left wing to send the ball over for Marshall. The touchline conversion from Smith drifted in front of the uprights but Wigan were back within two.

Warrington responded after 20 minutes as Adam Holroyd slipped through the defence to crash over on the left edge. Thewlis’ conversion was on target to retake an 8-point lead at 12-4.

As Wigan looked poised to punish the Wolves defensive line, a pass on the last was intercepted on the left edge by Matty Ashton who raced the length to get Warrington’s third of the evening. Thewlis added the extras to make it 18-4 to the visitors.

Arron Lindop crossed for his second of the night after the restart to improve Warrington’s lead. Back-to-back penalties against Wigan allowed the Wolves into the Warriors’ half as Lindop slipped away from a tackle to race towards the uprights. Thewlis added the two and it was 24-4.

Wigan saw Brad O’Neill forced from the field on 50 minutes as the hooker appeared to sustain a leg injury as Matty Ashton extend the Warrington lead in the 56th minute. Using their left side, Warrington went through hands to find Ashton in some space to dive in at the left corner. From the touchline, Thewlis was off target as it stood 28-4 to Warrington.

The visitors added another intercepted try in the 66th minute, this time Thewlis collecting a stray pass to peel away. He improved his own try from the tee and it was 34-4.

Matt Dufty was sent to the sin bin with 8 minutes to go for a dangerous tackle on Liam Marshall who had broken away to get Wigan inside the Wolves’ half. Play restarted as Junior Nsemba looked to have broken the line but play was pulled back as Warrington were awarded the scrum.

With 3 minutes left on the clock Wigan conceded a penalty and Thewlis shouted for the tee. The penalty goal attempt from 30m out was off target but there was enough time on the clock for Rodrick Tai to get over for a final try before the hooter. Thewlis converted to confirm 40-4 victory for the Wolves.

Gallery:

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

Interchange: Ethan Havard, Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill.

18th Player: Ryan Hampshire.

Tries: Marshall (13′)

Goals: Smith 0/1

Warrington Wolves: Matt Dufty, Josh Thewlis, Rodrick Tai, Arron Lindop, Matty Ashton, George Williams, Josh Drinkwater, Luke Yates, Sam Powell, Paul Vaughan, Matty Nicholson, Adam Holroyd, Ben Currie.

Interchange: Danny Walker, Max Wood, Zane Musgrove, Jordy Crowther.

18th Player: Tom Whitehead.

Tries: Lindop (2′, 43′), Holroyd (20′), Ashton (31′, 56′), Thewlis (66′), Tai (80′)

Goals: Thewlis 6/8

Sin Bin: Dufty (72′)

Attendance: 15,764

Referee: Liam Moore