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Noble Pleased With Warrior Spirit

Wigan coach Brian Noble praised his side's character after they came from behind three times to book their place in the last eight of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

Former Great Britain prop Stuart Fielden, the game's most expensive player, scored his first try for more than two years to clinch a 28-17 victory for the Warriors over Wakefield in a tense fifth-round tie at Belle Vue.

Wigan were trailing 17-16 when Fielden, who had been outshone by his front-row team-mate Andy Coley, charged through the heart of the Wildcats defence after 65 minutes to score the all-important try.

"Stuart's form has been pretty good over the last month," said Noble. "You forget he's a good player. He is a consummate professional.

"Wakefield made it hard work for us. They were not going to lie down and we had to dig in.

"It was an uphill fight and I was highly delighted with the character of the players. The forwards carried the ball really well and put us in a position to score points.

"We scored more points than them and I thought it was a fair reflection of the game.

"We were a bit shabby with the ball but a lot of that is down to Wakefield."

A typical cup match and a typical start from Wigan - ****ing awful!

Once we got over giving Wakefield a 10 point headstart; we did look the better side and thought that we were a bit unlucky with some of the decisions.

Despite a lot of interference (especially from Sculthorpe) we were still the better side and deserved to win.

Credit to Noble for doing what we've been saying all week and sticking with the team that beat stains. Mickey Mac had another stormer and how Riddell is going to get back in the team is a beyond me! Maybe we should have a whip round for a one way plane ticket? He will have to seriously improve as Smith has done to even have a chance to get back in the side. To drop Sam Tomkins out of the side to accommodate him would be ridiculous.

Thought Coley had an outstanding game for us and was pleased to see Fielden score a try - why doesn't he do that more often! All of the forwards contributed and I loved Hock's hand off (although I don't think that the wildcat fans did!)

Hopefully Ainscough will get another start soon as I thought Roberts was pretty quiet today - although he didn't do a lot wrong.

That's 4 in a row now - makes a nice change!

So pleased for Stuart Fielden. He has been great last few games. Forwards pack seem to be doing much better of late. Can see immense improvement in them. The confidence is really building in the team. The test will be Hull KR next week. They are playing really well - hope we can build on this game. Lets all get behind the lads next week.

riddell had a cracking game last week ? who for ? he didnt play

riddell shouldnt have played anyway really, winning team last wekk, why not stick with it, especially a winning team that beat saints

JJ wrote:Just got back good match though the team was not up for it like last week, and can someone tell me why Riddell was dropped as I thought he had a good game last week.Young Sam I feel needs to be dropped for a couple of games this is my personal viewing is he's becoming a little greedy sometimes with the ball, also he seem to be easily loosing his cool.
(My opinion which we are all entitled to)

Sorry JJ, Riddell didn't play last week!! his last game was against Wakey in the league and he 'limped off with a pulled hamstring'!!

And think Nobby decided to stick with last weeks team that beat Saints

I wouldnt drop s tomkins jj ,i think he is outstanding to be honest and if he is greedy at times as you say he certainly makes things happen ie;his try,it was superb skills he showed.Keep him in the side dont move him backwards.

Sammy boy might get a rest for his cow kick. Would like to see SA get a run in place of Roberts. Not much wrong but a little flat. Need some flair to go with Gleeson.
Jim

JJ wrote:Just got back good match though the team was not up for it like last week, and can someone tell me why Riddell was dropped as I thought he had a good game last week.
Young Sam I feel needs to be dropped for a couple of games this is my personal viewing is he's becoming a little greedy sometimes with the ball, also he seem to be easily loosing his cool.
(My opinion which we are all entitled to)

Riddell was injured and McIllorum has now had two very good games in his place so it would have been criminal to drop him (as it was to drop Ainscough IMO after the previous Wakefield game) after his performance v Saints. At least Noble got this one right and McIllorum was in there on merit.

As for dropping Tomkins are you mad? He is one of the players who makes things happen on attack for us. Take him out and I reckon we would be back to struggling to score tries. We should have scored more today IMO given the dominance we had so he should be one of the last players to be rested.

Dave

Deemed correctly to be legal.He fended for. No suggestion of elbow use. As I say I am more concerned re ST as the kick in thought to be mallicious could be called up, jim