WARRINGTON Wolves failed to deliver in their biggest game of the season so far against Wigan Warriors – but there are some clear reasons for that.
With five props from the season’s starting squad not involved, The Wire lacked the punch of their previous eight wins that had equated to the club’s best start to a campaign for 34 years.
Wigan continually angled their runs towards the ruck to tire out the middle men that Warrington did have available, with Danny Walker’s 56 tackles leading six other forwards sapped of energy from making 34 tackles or more.
Warrington’s kicking game was not as good as Wigan’s in the greasy conditions that developed from several downpours, and handling mistakes were aplenty.
They were also up against the meanest defence in the competition, one that has not conceded more than six points in any of their last three games.
They probably did not need any help in that regard but the leniency that referee Chris Kendall showed in allowing lying on at the play-the-ball played into Wigan’s hands, given the other points already made.
These aspects brought about Wigan getting on top early on and not relenting, with Daryl Powell’s men hardly getting a sniff of the visitors’ 20-metre area never mind the try line.
They spent the majority of the game defending, or trying to get out of their own half. Wigan basically suffocated Warrington, and as a result stifled much of the game’s potential attacking flair.
The one touchdown The Wire scored courtesy of impressive back rower Matty Nicholson came as a result of a George Williams and Matty Ashton breakaway after a Wigan handling error deep into enemy territory.
👀 👀
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) April 14, 2023
Wow!
What a way to get back into this game as NIcholson finishes off an amazing break from @WarringtonRLFC
Warr 6 Wigan 10 HT#SkyRL pic.twitter.com/hU93Kg7sBH
With all of that said, and how dominant Wigan were, it shows how well Warrington defended to only lose 13-6 and only concede a Harry Smith penalty goal and drop goal in the second period.
Although The Wire looked out on their feet at times, it is testament to their fitness that they finished the game strongest and could have even pinched the result in the last five minutes when they had two tries ruled out – the second one from Greg Minikin on the hooter looking a harsh call by the officials as a knock-on over the line.
Another no try for @WarringtonRLFC
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) April 14, 2023
This time Minikin is judged to have lost the ball.
Wigan take the win at the Halliwell Jones 13 points to 6#SkyRL pic.twitter.com/55bYlibR7g
There was controversy over Wigan’s tries, the first from ex-Wire centre Jake Wardle possibly being forward from Bevan French whether you agree with the momentum rule or not, while the second from Brad O’Neill off a deceptive kick by French needed checking by video referee Tom Grant because the ball bounced back up in the air but replays showed his fingers were on the ball when it landed on the turf.
A moment to remember for @BradOneill17 🙌 https://t.co/5MHmQyYCy3 pic.twitter.com/A1ImnRmV3e
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 16, 2023
On a night when The Wire could have made it nine straight wins at a season’s start for the first time since 1950 and having attracted a record crowd to The Halliwell Jones Stadium, it was frustrating and disappointing how things panned out but it is important that nobody allows one bad night to spoil what has been achieved so far in 2023.
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