Warriors defeat Hull FC

[josie andrews]

Match Report as Wigan Warriors seal a dramatic late win over Hull FC.

Jai Field crossed for a double but a late drop goal from Harry Smith sealed the two points for the Warriors.

FT | Wigan Warriors 19-18 Hull FC.

The Warriors left it late as Harry Smith slotted a drop goal with two minutes to go to claim another two points for the Warriors in Betfred Super League.

Jai Field got the scoring underway after just 4 minutes in the first half but Hull hit back with two efforts late in the first forty to go in with a 12-6 lead at the break.

Havard got Wigan back level before Chris Satae crashed over for the visitors, Jai Field added some flair however to race away and level it once more. Harry Smith slotted a dramatic drop goal with 2 minutes to go to seal another win for the Warriors.

Report

The Warriors started well defending a full set before getting a penalty for a high shot on Willie Isa which took them into the Hull half. Wigan ran a simple right shift and Jai Field added his signature pace to race through and get the first score of the game for 4-0.

Wigan threatened again moments later as they looked to exploit the right wing, Hardaker raced down the touchline before putting a kick back towards the posts but Hull had to knock the ball dead for a goal line drop out to give Wigan the ball back once more.

The Cherry & Whites extended their lead in the 15th minute, Cade Cust searched for the try line but had the ball stripped in the process by Danny Houghton, Wigan opted to kick from the tee and Hardaker was on target to add the two-points and put Wigan to 6-0.

Hull were allowed some time in Wigan territory and their reward came off the back of a set restart in the 34th minute. Adam Swift the furthest man on he lift wing collected the pass and evaded his defenders to get the score, the conversion from Gale was good to level the scores with 5 minutes left on the clock.

Danny Houghton extended the lead for the visitors on the hooter as a break through saw the forward finish off the move, with Gale converting for 12-6.

Bevan French was introduced to the action for the second half, making his first appearance for the Warriors since May 2021. Ethan Havard went over in the 47th minute to draw the Warriors level, powering into the defence and getting an arm free to touch the ball down, the effort converted by Hardaker.

Packed on the Wigan goal line, Hull threatened to get their noses back in front, as Wigan saw the visitors gain two set restarts just short of their in-goal but some tough defence from Matt Peet’s side saw them deny Hull a way through and the scores remained level with 25 to go.

Just a few minutes later, Hull did get their reward as they got the better of the Wigan defence to see Chris Satae crash over almost immediately after being reintroduced from the interchange bench. Gale added a third conversion to see Hull out to 18-12.

Jai Field was on hand to add his pace as he showed a dummy to beat his man and raced away to peg one back for Wigan in great fashion, Hardaker added another conversion to draw the scores level again with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Zak Hardaker, John Bateman, Jake Bibby, Liam Marshall, Cade Cust, Harry Smith, Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Morgan Smithies.

Interchanges: Bevan French, Patrick Mago, Oliver Partington, Ethan Havard.

Tries: Field (4′, 64′), Havard (47′)

Goals: Hardaker 3/4

Drop Goals: Smith (78′)

Hull FC: Jake Connor, Darnell McIntosh, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Josh Griffin, Adam Swift, Joe Lovodua, Luke Gale, Liligiifo Sao, Danny Houghton, Chris Satae, Andre Savelio, Manu Ma’u, Jordan Lane.

Interchanges: Jack Brown, Jordan Johnstone, Brad Fash, Connor Wynne.

Tries: Swift (34′), Houghton (40′), Satae (59′)

Goals: Gale 3/3

Referee: Robert Hicks

Attendance: 9,581

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2022/03/ ... t-hull-fc/