In a game where Wigan rarely got going, Warrington continue their good start to the season. Here’s how the match unfolded.
MATCH DETAILS
Warrington were excellent during the majority of the match against Wigan. Steve Price’s side got the tactics just right to manage the game and see out the Warriors, although it was touch and go with about 20 minutes to play when Wigan scored two quick tries.
After replacing Lineham in the side against Castleford last time out, Jake Mamo got a run out again and was soon back to where he left off last Thursday as he scored a try, right in the corner on the left hand side, collecting the ball after a wonderful pass from number 6, Blake Austin.
Warrington were in full control of the game and their ascendancy never looked like leaving them. With some brilliant passing and then a controlled kick from either Austin or Patton, Warrington were controlling the game really well.
Of course Wigan were going to be on the back foot with the form they had been in. In the 24th minute, Wire looked to be going further ahead through Ben Currie but with a try saving tackle from fullback Zak Hardaker, Wigan kept the Wolves to 4.
With some great work dummying his way through the Wigan back line, mercurial fullback, Stefan Ratchford, made his mark on the game with a try of his own. Converting this one, Warrington went 10-0 ahead. Not long after, Ratchford scored a penalty goal to take the score to 12-0 and that’s how the first half ended. In a half where Wigan never got going, Warrington were playing incredibly well.
It wouldn’t be a second half at the Halliwell Jones without a Josh Charnley try and he got himself on the scoresheet against his former side with a brilliant effort, off a high bomb style kick by Blake Austin.
Tempers began to flair after Wigan scored twice to get themselves within 6 points. Once Dec Patton scored a drop goal to put Warrington 19-12 ahead, the cards began to fly out of Ben Thaler’s pocket. A late hit on Toby King from Wigan second row Willie Isa, Ben Westwood lost his temper and was shown a red card and Wigan’s Morgan Escare and Patton were sent to the bin.
After that, Warrington did all the defending possible to close the Warriors out, but didn’t need to as former Wigan and Huddersfield man Jack Hughes put the final nail in the Wigan coffin as Warrington ended up victorious, 25-12.
FOUR POINTERS
A concern or a crisis for Wigan?
With Wigan now not winning in six games, there are some serious questions needing to be asked. A poor performance yet again from Adrian Lam’s team: is it just a short-term concern or a long-term crisis?
Warrington’s year?
Another terrific showing of Warrington’s credentials yet again, just one loss in six, away in the South of France. Is it finally Warrington’s year?
A hefty ban for Westwood
After being seen head-butting Wigan’s Escare, will there be a hefty ban put to Westwood at the disciplinary panel on Monday? Also, will there be bans for Patton, Mamo or Wigan’s Isa?
Ratchford Wire’s main man
Even though Warrington signed their marquee man, Blake Austin, it seems Stefan Ratchford is the man who’s doing a lot of the more glamorous work at the moment.
THE RESULT
Warrington 25
Tries:ย Mamo, Ratchford, Charnley, Hughes
Goals:ย Ratchford (4)
Drop Goals:ย Patton (1)
Wigan 12
Tries:ย Davies, Isa
Goals:ย Hardaker (2)
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Warrington:ย Ratchford, Mamo, Atkins, King, Charnley, Austin, Patton, Hill (c), D.Clark, Cooper, Currie, Hughes (c), Westwood
Interchanges:ย Philbin, J.Clark, Murdoch-Masila, Tasi
Wigan:ย Hardaker, Davies, Sarginson, Gildart, Escare, Williams, Sammut, Clubb, Leuluai, Navarrete, Greenwood, Isa, O’loughlin
Interchanges:ย Bullock, Hamlin, Partington, Shorrocks
