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Andy Farrell fell short of setting a new Super League
points record as Wigan survived Warrington's second-half fightback to end
their regular League programme with a victory.
Farrell started the game needing 10 points to beat Bobbie Goulding's
competition best mark of 257, set in the inaugural season in 1996.
But the Great Britain captain was only able to kick three of his six
attempts at goal.
Even so, Farrell's goals and all-round contribution helped Wigan overcome
a spririted Warrington challenge.
The Wolves led 4-0 and 10-4 before the Warriors fought back to maintain
their record of only having lost to Leeds (twice) in their 23 fixtures
before the play-offs.
Warrington, without a string of injured players, outscored their opponents
by two tries to one after the break but they were just unable to pull off
what would have been one of the shocks of this or any other season.
Wigan, by virtue of finishing top, have next week off and coach John Monie
will be grateful for the chance to nurse his walking wounded back to full
fitness before they host either the Rhinos or Halifax in a fortnight's
time.
Danny Moore has clearly not fully recovered from his knee ligament injury,
while a similar problem has prevented Denis Betts from starting a match
since August 7.
And after this physical local derby, Wigan are likely to have quite a few
bumps and bruises which require treatment, with Stephen Holgate being
substituted in the first-half with an arm injury.
Warrington, beaten 56-8 at Central Park in June, had the temerity to go in
front after two minutes when Lee Penny ran over Jason Robinson.
Tony Smith replied for the visitors with the first of his two tries but
Michael Eagar restored the Wolves' lead, plucking Lee Briers' bomb out of
the air before touching down.
However, from then on it was virtually all Wigan before the interval, Kris
Radlinski crossing down after a brilliant break by Gary Connolly and Paul
Johnson pinching a try from acting half-back.
Henry Paul sidestepped his way past replacement full-back Will Cowell and
Smith completed his brace four minutes into first-half stoppage time.
Warrington tried to get back into the game after the interval and only
desperate Wigan tackling kept them out in a hectic 10-minute spell.
Eagar was controversially denied a second try when referee Stuart Cummings
adjudged he lost the ball over the line.
But after Lee Gilmour was sin-binned on 62 minutes for obstruction, Mark
Forster and Ian Knott powered their way over and with Briers converting
both scores, Warrington trailed 26-24 with 11 minutes to go.
The Wolves piled on the pressure in a tense finale, debutant Scott Wilson
failing to gather Penny's pass five metres out, but Wigan made sure of the
win when Radlinski and Johnson combined in the final minute to send Mark
Bell over.
Warrington:- Lee Penny, Jason Roach, Mike Peachey,
Michael Eagar, Mark Forster, Lee Briers, John Duffy, Gary Chambers, David
Highton, Danny Nutley, Brendon Tuuta, Steve McCurrie, Mike Wainwright.
Subs:- Will Cowell, Ian Knott, Chris Causey, Scott Wilson.
Tries: Penny (2), Eagar (13), Forster (63), Knott (67)
Goals: Briers 4
Warrington:- Lee Penny, Jason Roach, Mike Peachey, Michael Eagar,
Mark Forster, Lee Briers, John Duffy, Gary Chambers, David Highton, Danny
Nutley, Brendon Tuuta, Steve McCurrie, Mike Wainwright.
Subs:- Will Cowell, Ian Knott, Chris Causey, Scott Wilson.
Tries: Penny (2), Eagar (13), Forster (63), Knott (67)
Goals: Briers 4 |
