Under 19s: Wigan 32-18 Widnes

[josie andrews]

Match report as Wigan Warriors U19s beat Widnes Vikings U19s at the Fairhurst Accountants Community Stadium in Orrell on Saturday

Five tries see off the Vikings as the Warriors take a 32-18 win to maintain their lead at the top of the Academy table

Morgan Smithies, Callum Green (2), Samy Kibula and Joe Shorrocks with Wigan’s tries

TEAM NEWS
Darrell Goulding made five changes to the side that won the derby against St Helens last weekend as Reece Hamlett, Jake Sculthorpe, Dec O’Donnell, Max Roberts and Ethan Havard all dropped out.

Cian Tyrer, Ben Holcroft, Ryan Forshaw, Samy Kibula and Oliver Waite all came in.

FIRST HALF
It was Widnes who opened the scoring as OIiver Brooks crashed over on the right side. The Vikings shifted the ball to the right edge and had the man over for Brooks to score. Sam Freeman converted to give his side a 0-6 lead.

Morgan Smithies got Wigan’s first try and the game’s second on the 17th minute. A great break by Callum Green allowed the Warriors to advance deep into Widnes territory and the ball eventually came to Smithies who shrugged off the attempted tackle to go over the whitewash. Harry Smith made it 6-6 with the successful kick.

Three minutes later, Widnes regained the advantage as Sam Walters charged over. The second rower found a gap in the Wigan defence and raced towards the line to score. Freeman added the extras to put the Vikings 6-12 ahead.

Keanan Brand extended his side’s lead six minutes before the break as he scored in the left corner. The centre found space and managed to get the ball down over the line. Freeman converted the kick and Widnes went 6-18 in front.

Wigan Warriors U19s 6–18 Widnes Vikings U19s

SECOND HALF
Wigan started the second half in style as Callum Green rounded off a superb attacking move. The Warriors kept the ball alive brilliantly, as Sam Grant evaded various tackles to find Green who burst towards the line to score. Smith made it 12-18 with the boot.

Samy Kibula, who made his first team debut against Huddersfield last week, got Wigan’s third try of the afternoon as he bulldozed his way over. The prop took a short pass and powered his way past the Widnes defence to touch down. Smith made it all square at 18-18 with 16 minutes remaining.

The home side had the game in their own hands for the first time when Smith added a penalty goal. The Widnes defence held down too long in a tackle and Wigan opted to go for the two and Smith put his side in front on the 70th minute.

The Cherry and Whites strengthened their lead two minutes later as Joe Shorrocks crossed over. Kibula was involved again as he cleverly drew in his man and Shorrocks was there for support and he dived over the line. Smith added the extras, 26-18 the score stood.

Green rounded things off nicely at the end as he got his second try of the game. A fantastic break by Aiden Roden allowed the hooker to find the oncoming Green who touched down under the sticks. Smith added the two points on the sound of the referee’s whistle and Wigan won 32-18.

Wigan Warriors U19s 32–18 Widnes Vikings U19s

Match Details
Wigan Warriors U19s– 32

Tries: Smithies, Green (2), Kibula, Shorrocks

Goals: Smith 6/6

Widnes Vikings U19s– 18

Tries: Brooks, Walters, Brand

Goals: Freeman 3/3

HT: 6-18

Wigan Warriors U19s: 1. Callum Green, 2. Cian Tyrer, 3. Sam Halsall, 4. Sam Grant, 5. Ben Holcroft, 6. James Barran, 7. Harry Smith, 8. Oli Partington, 9. Aiden Roden, 10. Samy Kibula, 11. James McDonnell, 12. Joe Shorrocks, 19. Morgan Smithies

Interchange: 14. Ryan Forshaw, 15. Oliver Waite, 16. Liam Byrne, 17. Nathan Wilde

Widnes Vikings U19s: 1. Lloyd Roby, 2. Oliver Brooks, 3. Jayden Hatton, 4. Keanan Brand, 5. Sam Freeman, 6. Ben Davies, 7. Chris Wilson, 8. James Rutledge, 9. Jake Burns, 10. Owen Farnworth, 11. Sam Walters, 12. Callum O’Neil, 13. Liam Walsh

Interchange: 21. Bradley Calland, 15. Jarrod O’Connor, 16. Patrick McCarroll, 17. William Tilleke


http://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2018- ... 7I6JgMM.99

[fozzieskem]

It was a really good game,as mentioned a game of two halves..Widnes full of scouse swagger and gusto frankly outplayed wigan in the first half without ever really running up a score to put the game safe.

The second half the Widnes side came out seemingly just full of scouse as they looked if not lead footed then heavy footed against a wigan side fleet footed and scenting blood and where we’ll worth their win.

[captinjack]

A great game. Wonderful to see a Wigan team playing with flair. Showed how a team wearing cherry and white can show some pride in that shirt. They showed true metal to to come back from 6 - 18 to win the game 32 - 18, Widnes not getting good a other point. Well done lads and we'll done the U19's Coaching Staff.