Wigan renewed their rivalry with Warrington this weekend having narrowly defeated them in the cup a little over a month ago.
An attacking scrum on the Warrington 22 yard line saw Wigan loop the ball into the centres, where Sam Carleton stepped inside his man and cantered over for the opening score just 2 minutes into the game. Mason Fillingham added the extras.
Warrington hit back almost immediately as Wigan indiscipline gave the away side an opportunity to kick to the corner. A maul formed from the lineout and Warrington heaved and wheeled their way over the try line to take the score to 7-5. Another penalty saw the visitors take the lead through a kick at goal.
The match continued in the same vein as Wigan’s discipline kept forcing them back and Warrington were happy to take advantage. With Warrington clean through, a late tackle saw the referee stop play, as a melee ensued. The result was a penalty try to Warrington who took a 7-15 lead into the half time break.
The game resumed with Warrington on the front foot. A sweeping move up the left flank saw the visitors in in the corner which was converted for a 7-22 lead.
Further Wigan indiscipline saw a player given a second yellow and subsequent red card leaving Wigan to play the rest of the game with 14 men.
Despite this, it was Wigan who were next to score. Warrington were in solid attacking position and were playing the ball through the hands of their talented back line, when Mason Fillingham pounced to intercept and carry the ball fully 80 yards for the score. Carleton added the conversion to give Wigan hope at 14-22 with 15 minutes to play.
Any hope of a Wigan comeback was soon extinguished as a clinical Warrington side were awarded a penalty 30 yards out. The ball was played quickly and a cross field kick was dived on in the corner for a try.
With Wigan now gambling and forcing the game, they spilled the ball in their own 22. The visiting half backs took full advantage, sweeping up the loose ball and playing it out wide for a score in the corner.
The visitors rubbed further salt in the wounds as they worked the ball in close to the Wigan try line and forced it over with the last play of the game.
Warrington were worthy 14-37 winners in a game that the Douglas Valley men would like to forget. Next up is a home game against neighbours, Aspull in the next round of the cup with kick off scheduled for 14.15 Saturday 15th November.