Wolves edged out in thriller

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WARRINGTON Wolves tasted their first defeat of the season as they were edged out 20-22 in a thrilling contest with Wigan Warriors in front of a capacity crowd at the Halliwell Jones.
The Wolves were in total control and leading 16-4 early in the second half when the loss of talisman half-back Lee Briers proved to be the turning point.
As Briers was carried from the pitch with what appeared to be a bad ankle injury the visitors scored 18 points without reply as the game turned on its head.
Despite a strong Wolves finish Wigan hung on as David Solomona had a last gasp effort ruled out by the video referee as he lost control of the ball as he powered over from close range in the last minute.
It was the visitors who started the match brightly as Amos Roberts raced over after eight minutes to give Wigan a 0-4 lead as Pat Richards was wide with the conversion.
But Warrington hit back on 17 minutes after Michael Monaghan opened up the Wigan defence to send Richie Myler over. Briers added the conversion to make it 6-4.
Warrington started to dominate the game and scored an outstanding try on 27 minutes when a sweeping move involving Briers and Richie Mathers saw Chris Bridge flick out a great pass for Chris Riley to go over in the corner for his 7th try of the season. Briers couldn’t add the extras to make it 10-4.
On 34 minutes Monaghan had an effort ruled out by the video referee but two minutes later Solomona bulldozed his way over with Briers adding the extras to put Warrington 16-4 up at the break.
But when Briers limped off after 51 minutes the tide turned quickly as the visitors ran in 18 points without reply.
Roberts opened up the Warrington defence again on 56 minutes but Richards was wide with the conversion to make it 16-8.
Two minutes later it was Roberts who put Daryl Goulding over in the corner, with Richards this time finding his kicking boots as he landed the conversion from the touchline.
On 61 minutes a Richard’s penalty levelled the scores at 16-16 and two minutes later they were in front after Sam Tomkins chipped over for his brother Joel to race clear and score. Richards again added the extras to make it 16-22.
A grandstand finish saw Louis Anderson narrow the gap to just two points but Bridge, deputising for the missing Briers failed with the conversion attempt.
Wigan then hung on, surviving the late Solomona scare, to record their first competitive victory at the Halliwell Jones and go top the the table.

Pictures show the inspirational Briers taking on Leuluai, being carried from the pitch and Matt King being tackled by Tomkins.

For more pictures from the game CLICK HERE

To see a slide show of action pictures from the game click on the image below.


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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