WARRINGTON Wolves showed they are the “real deal” with a famous 16-23 at league leaders Wigan as Lee Briers turned back the clock with a masterclass in kicking.
It was Warrington’s first win of the season against any of the “big three” and was sweet revenge for their narrow 20-22 defeat to Wigan back in February.
Victory cut Wigan’s Super League lead to just two points at the top of the table and cemented Warrington in second spot, with just five rounds left to play.
Despite a nightmare opening 20 minutes when Warrington surrendered possession time and time again they only trailed by six points, defending as though their very lives depended upon it!
Warrington got off to the worst possible start when Garreth Carvell gave away a penalty on three minutes for a late hit on Sam Tomkins, giving Pat Richards the easiest of conversions.
On eight minutes Wigan were unlucky not to extend their lead when Richards just failed to ground the ball properly after being put in at the corner. But within a minute Wigan extended their lead after Warrington dropped the ball for the 4th time allowing Mark Riddell to slide over. Richards missed with the conversion.
Warrington continued to treat the ball like a bar of soap as Carvell and Louis Anderson were both guilty of loose carries.
But thanks to some fantastic Warrington defending the Warriors couldn’t find a way through and were hit on the counter attack as a great pass from Briers created the over lap for Matt King to send Chris Hicks in at the corner for his 19th try of the season. Ben Westwood was wide with the difficult conversion.
It was now Wigan who were guilty of dropping the ball and the Wolves extended their lead on the half hour as Briers kicked on for the 4th tackle with the ball bouncing perfectly for Richie Myler to collect and score by the posts. Westwood added the extras and suddenly Warrington looked in control at 6-10.
More clever kicking from Briers saw Myler just inches short of extending the lead on two occasions before the break as the Wolves finished the half the stronger.
Warrington extended their lead early in the second half following a superb interchange between Ryan Atkins and Chris Riley, saw the young winger hug the touchline and then hack ahead allowing Atkins to regather and twist in the tackle to score a great try. Westwood then landed a towering touchline conversion to send the huge travelling army of Warrington fans wild at 6-16.
But on 49 minutes Wigan were back in the game as Carvell was penalised on the 5th tackle putting Wigan on the front foot as a sweeping move saw Sam Tomkins slip the ball out the back door to allow Chris Tuson to slide over. Richards added the extras to make it 12-16.
Warrington were unlucky not to extend their lead as Hicks went in again at the corner but King’s pass was slightly forward.
Warrington continued to press but as they went for the line Richie Mathers dropped the ball, allowing Richards to scoop it up and race 90 metres to touch down despite a great chase from Riley who chased him down from the other side of the field, only for the slippery conditions to allow Richards to slide over the try line to level the scores. Richards was wide with the difficult conversion.
Warrington then had a lucky escape when Mathers fumbled but Wigan couldn’t take advantage and then 10 minutes from time Riley took the ball at first receiver and fed the outstanding Westwood who powered through on the charge to score by the posts. He added the extras to put Warrington in control at 16-22.
Then five minutes from time man of the match Briers was the coolest man on the pitch as he slotted over a drop goal to complete the scoring.
Wigan ensured Warrington fans couldn’t relax untl the final hooter as Carmont just put a foot in touch as he went over two minutes rom time.
After the match Head of Coaching Tony Smith said: “There were far too many errors from both sides but the effort was outstanding.
“We couldn’t have incompleted our sets any better if we had tried in the opening 20 minutes. It was unbelieveable. It was crazy stuff but the boys grew from that. Some times adversity can work in your favour and it pulled us together.
“Westwood was superb and Briers was very smart and Monaghan was also very good. There were lots of good performers in the team tonight. Our form hasn’t been great recently and we wanted a committed performance which is what we got.”
He also praised the Wigan club for the way they had promoted the game which resulted in a near capacity crowd of 22,701.
Wigan: Amos Roberts; Darrell Goulding, Martin Gleeson, George Carmont, Pat Richards; Sam Tomkins, Thomas Leuluai; Stuart Fielden, Mark Riddell, Paul Prescott, Harrison Hansen, Joel Tomkins, Sean O’Loughlin. Subs: Paul Deacon, Liam Farrell, Chris Tuson, Lee Mossop
Wolves: Richie Mathers; Chris Hicks, Matt King, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Lee Briers, Richie Myler; Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Garreth Carvell, Louis Anderson, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Subs: Paul Wood, Jon Clarke, Simon Grix, David Solomona.
For more pictures CLICK HERE
