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Well I talked in the match preview about responses to defeats this season, and Wigan could have done no better than what they produced tonight. The final score flattered Hull.
Having said that this was a far more harder victory than those achieved against Crusaders, Hull KR and Catalans earlier in the season. At 12-6 for example Wigan looked on the rack a bit. But came out of that hole impressively and that says a lot about the season to come.
It was a midfield battle early on, Hull though had the first chance. Richard Horne broke clear down the right but his kick was poor. In response Cameron Phelps made the break for Wigan but just got ankle tapped. A drop out was forced before a penalty under the posts allowed an easy slot over for Pat Richards to make it 2-0.
On the back of that Wigan scored the first try of the game. It took a repeat set, created by a Sam Tomkins' kick being fumbled, for Richards to be sent over in the left corner. He couldn't convert so the lead was just 6-0 after 15 minutes. His conversion hit the post.
Hull had a chance to hit back after Andy Coley knocked on in his own half. He made up for it though during the resulting set by absolutely panning Sean Long to the ground. The hit brought a massive cheer from the crowd, before Hull put in poor last tackle kick and then they conceded a penalty to relieve the pressure on Wigan.
Off the back of that penalty, Darrell Goulding went over in the left corner. He had received a wild pass that lost some ground but his effort to score from thirty metres out was superb. Richards converted to make it 12-0 after 20 minutes.
Hull needed a big individual effort to get back in the game and it came from Richard Horne on 25 minutes. He broke down the right wing to send Richard Whiting over in the corner. Superb try, which Danny Tickle converted to make it 12-6.
Wigan at this point were looking a bit wobbly but came out of the hole to finish the half strongly. Hull lost their rag gifting Wigan a penalty that allowed Martin Gleeson to score a crucial try down the right. Richards conversion made it 18-6.
Then whilst I was down at the bar, Wigan had a try disallowed for a forward pass before increasing their lead just before the hooter. The try came after Hull failed to find touch from a penalty and Amos Roberts made them pay dear with a close range effort. Pat's conversion made it 24-6 and a great half time lead.
We know what happened last week, so Wigan needed to start the second half well. They had an early chance to kick a drop goal but instead they kicked out wide towards Pat, which sailed into touch.
But off the back of a penalty, they got the crucial first try of the second half. Goulding was sent over for his second, Richards converted to make it 30-6 and game over.
Wigan though didn't take their foot off the gas. 55th Minute and Sam Tomkins scored a converted try to make it 36-6. It was a classy effort from the young half back. He then followed that up with a second try on 63 minutes to make it 42-6. Bit of luck with that score. Pat's last tackle "kick" fell kindly for him.
It was now game over and although the last 15 minutes was not the best from Wigan, they had really done more enough to see off Hull.
67th minute saw Hull hit back with a try from Craig Hall but Wigan came back with a try that saw Richards break down the left to send the supporting Phelps over close to the sticks.
Last ten minutes saw Sean Long and Richard Horne score late Hull consolations but that only flattered the score in Hull's favour. Despite that 48-24 was a superb response against an in form side. Hull at kick off were level on points with Wigan, but at full time they looked miles away from our standards. Well done lads! Keep it up! |
