|
You could see Wigan had a game plan that would work but they executed it badly first half. They didn't complete sets, they gave away silly penalties and made it easy for Warrington.
Second half they retained possession, complete sets and didn't give the opposition easy yardage. It was simple and very effective.
I said in the match preview that it would be hard for Warrington to back up last week's bruiser with St Helens and that's how it proved.
Warrington for all there extra attack talent this year, they just do not have the defence to compete. That's the fourth game in a row they've conceded 30+ points. Your not going to compete for honours doing that. At least Wigan can lock at team out when they try - as they proved at Leeds last month.
I thought we started well but then lost the plot in the 20 minutes up to half time.
We scored first in the 4th minute as Tommy Leuluai sent George Carmont over for his seventh try of the campaign. Pat Richards converted and Wigan led 6-0.
But after that it was just Warrington, without ever looking like a class side, taking control as Wigan failed to complete sets and gave away piggy back penalties up the field.
First Vinnie and Louis Anderson combined to set Matt King, playing on the wing tonight, over for his first try since he scored against Wigan in March. Chris Hicks converted to make it 6-6 after 14 minutes.
Then came a lucky break for Wigan as Hicks went over for what looked like a good try but video referee Phil Bentham chalked it off for obstruction.
They soon made up for that reversal though as Vinnie Anderson went over to touch down a kick from Michael Monaghan. Hicks missed the goal - 10-6 Warrington.
Wigan were hanging on to be honest and the visitors went further ahead eight minutes before the break. Substitute Andy Bracek took Martin Gleeson's inside pass to force his way over. Hicks again though missed the goal - 14-6 Warrington.
Then two minutes before half time a professional foul saw Vinnie Anderson sin binned. Wigan negatively went for goal - which Pat easily slotted over to make it 14-8 at the break. Honestly I was chuffed we were still in the game. We'd had an awful 30 minutes but that lead was recoverable.
So it proved. Second Half was all Wigan. They put the pressure on and although Wire held out for 10 minutes, with the help of a disallowed try by the video referee, but the pressure was always going to be too much!
The try eventually came on 51 minutes as Gareth Hock, outstanding tonight, sent Trent Barrett over for his first league try of the season. Richards converted to make it 14-14.
From the next set Wigan regained the lead and it was Hock again who created it with a fantastic break. He found Carmont, who found Leuluai, who sent Liam Colbon away for the score. Great try and Richards fine kicking made it 20-14.
Wigan starved Warrington of possession and went over again moments later. Mick Higham from dummy half sent Barrett racing away for his second. Another Pat conversion made it 26-14 and all a sudden we had a strong lead.
You could see the confidence flood through the Wigan side. Iafeta Paleaaesina, who again was at his barn-storming best, broke clear to send Hock over for a score which opened up a 3 try lead. Richards conversion having made it 32-14.
Wire then collapsed on the spot and with 12 to go Wigan sealed the victory with another converted try from Joel Tomkins. 38-14 was how it finished. |
