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Wigan secured their first home win in three outings and coach Eric Hughes
is hoping it can launch a renewed title charge. "It has done us the
world of good, confidence wise, and we are not out of the title race yet.
I want it to be the platform so that we can go undefeated to Australia in
June," he said.
"We badly needed the win. They were solid in defence in the first-half
but we wore them down and took control as they tired."
Hughes needs to be positive after his side won only three of their
first six games before yesterday, but Oldham are the poorest side the
Warriors have faced this season.
The visitors rarely ruffled the Wigan feathers and the result was
hardly ever in doubt, but for all the home side's dominance through prop
Terry O'Connor, centre Gary Connolly and full-back Jason Robinson, it was
down to their individual talents rather than a fluent team style. It was
only in the latter stages with Wigan well on top that the confidence
flowed..
Wigan led 16-6 at the break with tries by O'Connor, Andy Johnson and
Connolly with Andy Farrell adding a couple of goals. Oldham scored just
before the break through David Stephenson and Francis Maloney goaled.
Any chance of a shock win was quickly put to rest when Tony Smith
darted over two minutes after the break and tries flowed steadily through
Johnson, Farrell, Connolly and Murdock. Farrell added three goals and
Martin Hall one before Matt Munro scored a late Oldham try.
Wigan: Robinson, Cardiss, Radlinski, Connolly, Johnson, Smith,
Murdock, O'Connor. Cassidy, Holgate, Haughton, Tallec, Farrell. Subs:
Cowie (for Holgate 30), Wright (for Murdock 50), Murray (for cardiss 64),
Hall (for cassidy 68), Murdock (for Farrell 73).
| Wigan
Warriors 44 |
|
Oldham
Bears 10 |
Andy Johnson (2)
Gary Connolly (2)
Terry O'Connor
Tony Smith
Andy Farrell
Craig Murdock
|
Tries |
David Stephenson
Matt Munro
|
Andy Farrell (5)
Martin Hall
|
Goals |
Francis Maloney
|
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