WIGAN Warriors ended their Halliwell Jones hoodoo with a convincing 12-20 victory over Warrington Wolves, showing little sympathy for Paul Wood in his testimonial.
Despite Skipper Adrian Morley giving Warrington the best possible start with a bulldozing try after just five minutes, converted by Lee Briers, it was the Warriors, looking for their first ever win at the Halliwell Jones, who dominated most of the half.
Former Wolves centre Martin Gleeson eventually made the pressure tell finishing off a sweeping Warriors move, although the normally reliable Pat Richards was wide with the conversion.
Two minutes later another sweeping move saw Amos Roberts charge over but he missed with the conversion to leave the Warriors narrowly in front at 6-8.
Defences were on top for the rest of the half with both sides guilty of missed chances in a scrappy game.
But Wigan made their domination pay shortly after the re-start when Lee Mossop charged through a gaping hole in the Warrington defence, with Roberts adding the conversion to make it 6-14.
Warrington were given some hope 12 minutes from time when good work from centre Chris Bridge sent Riley in at the corner and a towering touchline conversion from Briers, which bounced in off the post, narrowed the gap to just two points, setting up a grandstand finish.
But Warrington couldn’t find that extra gear to kick on and it was Wigan who finished the stronger, with Harrison Hansen breaking clear to seal victory as Richards landed the conversion to complete the scoring at 12-20.
Wood collected the sponsors man-of the match award but in all honesty few stood out in a disappointing performance in front of a crowd of 4,622.
Lucky winner of the warrington-worldwide competition to win a signed Paul Wood testimonial shirt Sam Brinksman (left) with his younger brother Jake and Wolves’ Chairman Steven Broomhead and man of the moment Paul Wood.
New signing Ryan Atkins off loads the ball.
New signing Richie Myler looks for a gap.
Winger Chris Riley jumps for the ball.
No way through for new signing David Solomona
Simon Grix off-loads the ball
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