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Wigan moved one step closer to claiming the top spot in
the JJB Super League today with an emphatic victory over the sorry Sharks.
Just under 8,000 turned up at Central Park, the lowest gate of the season,
to see Wigan play exhibition rugby at its best during a 12-try romp.
After Steve Prescott had kicked Hull Sharks into a 2-0 lead it was all
Warriors.
Henry Paul scored Wigan's first after 13 minutes, after cutting inside the
drifting Hull defence, following good work from former London prop Tony
Mestrov.
Andrew Farrell placed a short kick-off rugby union style in the air, Gary
Connolly tapped down, Simon Haughton charged through and within a matter
of seconds 20-year-old Lee Gilmour had scored Wigan's second.
As the end of the first half approached, Gilmour, who has just been
offered a two-year extension on his contract, again scored a four-pointer,
this time out-sprinting Steve Prescott over 55 yards.
Hull winger David Baildon was sin-binned for holding down Radlinski and
from the ensuing penalty Great Britain captain Farrell scored the simplest
of tries.
Tony Smith grabbed the last of the half following another rugby union
style kick off to make it 24-2 at the break.
The second-half brought more one-way traffic. Connolly collected his 100th
try for the club after skilful interplay from Messrs Paul and Smith.
Man of the Match Henry Paul collected his second. The Kiwi star, who is
leaving at the end of the season, will certainly have had potential buyers
running for their cheque books.
A brace from Robinson and a try from Bell took the Wigan total beyond 50.
Hull's Baildon was sent for his second spell in the sin-bin but Sharks
winger Filli Seru nipped in for a consolation try. Centre Paul Johnson
completed the rout just before the final whistle.
It could have been even worse for Hull as Wigan's Farrell had an unusually
bad day with the boot, collecting only five conversions from 12 attempts.
Wigan:- Kris Radlinski, Jason Robinson, Gary
Connolly, Paul Johnson, Mark Bell, Henry Paul, Tony Smith, Terry O'Connor,
Robbie McCormack, Tony Mestrov, Simon Haughton, Lee Gilmour, Andy Farrell
(Capt.)
Subs:- Jon Clarke, Rob Ball, Stephen Holgate, Andy Isherwood
Tries: Radlinski (61), Robinson (56,70), Connolly (47), Johnson
(80), Bell (53), Paul (13,49), Smith (35), Gilmour (15,25), Farrell (32)
Goals: Farrell 5
Hull:- Steve Prescott, Fili Seru, Alan Hunte, Logan
Campbell, David Baildon, Gary Lester, Craig Murdock, Andy Ireland, David
Stephenson, Jim Leatham, Simon Booth, Steve Craven, Rob Nolan.
Subs:- Dean Busby, Jason Temu, Hitro Okesene, Jamie Smith.
Tries: Seru (73) |
