Warriors progress in Cup with win over Eagles

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors win against Sheffield Eagles in the Betfred Challenge Cup Third Round.
• Wigan scored eight tries from eight different scorers in the Cup victory.
• FT | Sheffield Eagles 12-48 Wigan Warriors.

Match Report as WIgan Warriors win against Sheffield Eagles in the third round of the Betfred Challenge Cup at Olympic Legacy Park.

It was a close affair in the early exchanges at Sheffield’s Olympic Legacy park as a Joel Farrell effort for the Eagles was sandwiched between scores from Jai Field and Bevan French. Additional efforts for Wigan from Liam Byrne and Zach Eckersley, all converted from the boot of Adam Keighran saw Wigan into the sheds with a 24-6 advantage at the break.

The Warriors continued their fine form after the restart as Sam Walters and Adam Keighran added their names to the scoresheet, with Keighran making it six from six off the tee. Matty Dawson-Jones nicked one back for the Eagles but Junior Nsemba and Kaide Ellis added a further two on behalf of Wigan, with Keighran perfect from the boot all evening to see Matt Peet’s men through with a 48-12 win.

Report

It was the perfect start for Matt Peet’s Warriors as a clever chip through from Kruise Leeming after a break from the hooker was chased down by Jai Field who had the speed advantage to collect the ball and open the scoring.

Sheffield hit back immediately in the tie as Joel Farrell got over the line from close-range after the Eagles gained field advantage from a Wigan error. The conversion from Aston was on target to level the scores at 6-6.

Wigan restored their lead a few minutes later as Liam Farrell got an offload away to Liam Marshall, with the winger cutting back inside to send Bevan French through the line, registering his 100th try in Wigan colours. Adam Keighran added the two to put the Warriors back in front at 12-6.

Sheffield launched a similar response to the adversity as another error allowed them space in the Wigan half. After a scramble at the goal line, Wigan held on for a fresh set of six.

After sharing some sets Wigan extended their lead as Liam Byrne, fresh from the interchange bench, powered over the line to get Wigan’s third of the night before Zach Eckersley then crossed after a bouncing ball was collected by French. Adam Keighran was on target with the conversion to put Wigan out to 24-6 with half-time approaching.

Tyler Dupree was sat down in the sin bin just before the half-time hooter after an incident in the tackle, but the Warriors saw out the final minutes of the half with the less numbers to take the 18-point swing into the sheds.

The Warriors continued to hold their own after the restart and they added a fifth try of the evening as Sam Walters added his name to the scoresheet, collecting a neat offload to crash over. Adam Keighran made it five from five with the boot and it was 30-6.

Wigan opened up a comfortable lead as Adam Keighran became the sixth scorer of the night, collecting a kick through from French to cross the whitewash under the posts, converting his own score to stretch the lead to 30-points as Tyler Dupree was reintroduced from the sin bin.

Sheffield Eagles responded well though as Matty Dawson-Jones hit back for the Eagles shortly afterwards, a fast set of hands found Dawson-Jones to go over in the corner. From the tee, Aston added the extras and it was 36-12.

Wigan added a seventh after the hour mark as a good run from Sam Walters, the ball went to ground off after being played at by Sheffield for Junior Nsemba to collect the loose pill and cross the whitewash. Adam Keighran once again added the conversion and it was 42-12 to the visiting Warriors.

Kaide Ellis wrapped up the scoring after a good move in the halves from Kruise Leeming found the towering loose forward who spun out of a tackle to crash over and confirm a solid victory for the Warriors, who progress to the next round with the 48-12 win.

Gallery:

Sheffield Eagles: Jack Walker, Ben Jones-Bishop, Kris Welham, James Glover, Matty Dawson-Jones, Cory Aston, Jack Bussey, Blake Broadbent, Joel Farrell, Tyler Dickinson, Oliver Roberts, Alex Foster, Titus Gwaze.

Interchange: Eddie Battye, Evan Hodgson, Ryan Millar, Masi Matongo.

18th Player: Jack Mallinson.

Tries: Farrell (6′), Dawson-Jones (53′)

Goals: Aston 2/2

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Liam Farrell, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Harvie Hill, Kruise Leeming, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Kaide Ellis.

Interchange: Tyler Dupree, Patrick Mago, Liam Byrne, Tom Forber.

18th Player: Jack Farrimond.

Tries: Field (2′), French (11′), Byrne (27′), Eckersley (32′), Walters (44′), Keighran (48′), Nsemba (66′), Ellis (73′)

Goals: Keighran 8/8

Sin Bin: Dupree (38′)

Attendance: 1,244

Referee: Jack Smith