A second victory for the Wolves over the Warriors in less than two weeks at Anfield. Here’s what happened.
MATCH DETAILS
Warrington triumphed over Wigan for the second time in less than a fortnight as they closed the gap to Super League leaders St Helens to four points with victory at Anfield.
After Zak Hardaker kicked the Warriors ahead, Dec Patton converted his own try to put the Wire into the lead.
Warrington registered the first try of the match in some style as Tom Lineham chipped in the final third for Patton to respond and ground the ball.
Wigan broke back through Joe Burgess but Blake Austin re-established Warrington’s six-point advantage after Hardaker had kicked Wigan level.
Willie Isa scored a late consolation but Toby King’s try made the game safe beforehand. King ran 65 metres to touch down following a Warrington interception.
Thus, Adrian Lam’s Wigan slip to their third defeat in a row as they struggled to match Warrington in an end-to-end second half.
Wigan defeated Warrington in last season’s Super League Grand Final but have struggled for form so far this campaign.
Price’s Warrington had won both previous meetings between the sides, with the two victories coming at home: in Super League on 15th March and again in the Challenge Cup on 12th May.
FOUR POINTERS
Wigan continue to struggle
Wigan look a totally different side to last season and their poor run continued in this one. They’ve failed to inspire so far in 2019 and don’t look like improving any time soon.
Warrington did what was needed
It was a rather unattractive watch but the Wire know how to win tight affairs such as this and made it look very straight forward.
Lineham is key for Wire
Since signing from Hull FC, Lineham has gone from strength to strength. His try against Wigan illustrated what he brings to the fold and he always steps up when needed.
A season to forget for Wigan
With yet another defeat on the record, Wigan’s hopes of any kind of a ‘successful’ campaign now relies on whether or not they have the character to prove themselves once again.
THE RESULT
Wigan 14
Tries: Burgess, Isa
Goals: Hardaker 3
Drop Goals: n/a
Warrington 26
Tries: Patton, Austin, King
Goals: Patton 7
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
Wigan: Hardaker, Hankinson, Sarginson, Gildart, Burgess, Williams, O’Loughlin, Flower, Shorrocks, Bullock, Isa, Greenwood, Clubb.
Interchanges: Tautai, Smithies, Sammut, Partington.
Warrington: Mamo, Lineham, Goodwin, King, Charnley, Austin, Patton, Hill, Clark, Cooper, Currie, Hughes, Philbin.
Interchanges: Murdoch-Masila, Clark, Akauola, Walker.
