Warriors Defeat Wildcats

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors 36

T - Leuluai, Gelling, Goulding 2, Carmont 2, Charnley

G - Charney 4

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 6

T - Wood

G - Sykes

Wigan made it back to back wins over the Easter weekend with a 36-6 win over the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at the DW Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Played in pouring rain it was a game Wigan never looked like losing, three first half tries put the Warriors 16 nil up at the break. Leuluai, Gelling and Goulding with the touchdowns in the first forty, after the break it was the turn of Carmont twice, Charnley and Goulding again for his second of the game. The Wildcats finally getting some points on the board at 30-0 down through Wood.

Wigan lost the services of Pat Richards following the win at Saints with Anthony Gelling coming in on the left wing, Logan Tomkins given the starting hooker role with McIlorum on the bench, missing through injury again O'Loughlin, Flower, Mossop and Farrell. Epalahame Lauaki back in on the bench after serving a two game suspension. The Wildcats were without former Wigan duo of Richard Mathers and Tim Smith through illness and injury.

The Warriors looked to exert some early pressure; a Sam Tomkins 40/20 put the visitors on the back foot. On 7 minutes a high Finch kick, Gelling palming the ball in field to George Carmont to cross but the try brought back by Ben Thaler for a forward pass.

The cherry and whites got their first points on 13 minutes, the Wildcats penalised for holding in the tackle and from the second play the ball Logan Tomkins fed Thomas Leuluai to cross to the right of the posts, Charnley missed the goal, 4-0.

The home side extended their lead on 26 minutes, another high Finch kick out wide and this time Anthony Gelling was able to collect and dive over the whitewash in the corner, this time Charnley added a great conversion, 10-0.

Quick hands just after the half an hour mark after a Lima break deep inside the Wildcats territory, the Warriors spread the ball to the right and Darrell Goulding was in a big gap to grab Wigan's third try of the afternoon, Charnley missed the extras but the Warriors were 14-0 to the good.

On the stroke of half time, Charnley added a penalty goal to make it 16-0 at the break. The Wildcats with a couple of spells of possession in Wigan territory but never looked like crossing for points.

Wigan ensured the win with their fourth try on 46 minutes, a clever kick into space by Finch and a great pass from behind from Gelling sent in George Carmont in front of the South Stand. Josh again missed the conversion but the home side comfortable at 20-0.

Wigan's fifth try followed on 50 minutes, Charnley this time with the try and he added the goal, 26-0 the score.

On the hour mark Wigan grabbed their sixth try of the afternoon, quick hands to the right and a relatively easy touchdown for Darrell Goulding, his second score of the game, Charnley missed the extras, 30-0.

Wakefield finally got some points on the board on 66 minutes; Kyle Wood with a dummy to score under the sticks, Sykes added the goal, 30-6.

Soon after George Carmont was in for his second and the Warriors seventh and Charnley converted to make it 36-6.

This a comfortable win for Shaun Wane's side following a tough victory at St Helens on Friday, next up the Warriors begin the defence of the Carnegie Challenge Cup next Sunday when North Wales Crusaders visit the DW Stadium.

Team News

Wigan Warriors - Sam Tomkins, Josh Charnley, Darrell Goulding, George Carmont, Anthony Gelling, Brett Finch, Thomas Leuluai, Paul Prescott, Logan Tomkins, Jeff Lima, Harrison Hansen, Gareth Hock, Chris Tuson

Replacements - Epalahame Lauaki, Gil Dudson, Jack Hughes, Michael McIlorum

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats - Motu Tony, Peter Fox, Paul Sykes, Vince Mellars, Liam Kay, Isaac John, Kyle Wood, Oliver Wilkes, Andy Ellis, Kyle Amor, Lucas Walshaw, Frankie Mariano, Danny Washbrook

Replacements - Paul Aiton, Paul Johnson, Matthew Wildie, Kyle Trout

Referee - Ben Thaler


http://www.wiganwarriors.com/WContent.a ... &type=news

[josie andrews]

Two 40/20's in one game???

I hope this is not our quota for the season

[josie andrews]

[IMG]http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg36 ... er2012.jpg[/IMG]

Nice table after the Easter period 2012

[onedego]

i've gotta say that H looks like he's been hit by a train after today's game.

[DaveO]

He usually does! Great player.

As to the game, given the conditions (rained all game even when a brief bit of sun popped out at the end) I don't think you could ask for much more. Annoying they scored but that is about the only gripe.

As mentioned elsewhere Gelling looks promising, Hughes was enthusiastic giving the back rowers a break, Dudson went well and I don't think any of the younger players let the side down.

Looks like Wane has learned the Widnes lesson because I am sure the presence of the senior players such as Lima, Hansen, Micky Mac, TL, Sam and Finch took the pressure off.

Logan Tomkins played about 50mins before Micky came on. From memory Dudson got at least a couple of spells so a much better balanced approach from Wane against a weak side than we saw v Widnes.

[Wigan_forever1985]

Think you hit the nail on the head DaveO, Wane seems to have learned from his mistakes which is the one big worry i had about him

[Kittwazzer]

One aspect of the game which both surprised and impressed me; out of 7 tries, each winger got one and the centres scored 2 apiece. Not often that happens. If sides want to concentrate on policing Sam, it just opens other doors!

[THE 18th Man]

five teams competing for top spot, surley one of the most exciting seasons we'll see even if the skill level is suffering

[cpwigan]

I think as the season progresses the Top 5 may thin out. Hudds have done fantastically well in previous seasons only to suddenly enter a period of freefall. Catalans always seem a real danger to me. Perhaps Wire will decline as Smith goes past 3 years in charge.

[Kittwazzer]

Cany ask anymore really, 2 wins from 2 , 4 points, hopefully just a few minor bumps and bruises with no real serious injuries picked up, BUT MOST OF ALLETERNAL BRAGGING RIGHTS FROM FRIDAYS GAME SECURED !

Amended your post TEW!