FOR the second season in a row, Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors will face off in the Academy competition’s play-off semi-finals.

And despite being on the wrong side of a tight scoreline against their neighbours during Saturday’s meeting to round off the regular season, Wire head coach Mark Smith says his side have earned the right to go into the knockout match with confidence.

A late fightback raised hopes that Warrington could belie a nightmare start and snatch victory, with Alfie Mather and Daniel Regan crossing to reduce the deficit to two points with two minutes remaining, but they could not force another score and fell to a 22-20 defeat.

The Warriors had made the brighter start, with Noah Hodkinson and Josh Cartwright touching down inside the first quarter before Jaiden Drachenburg’s score put them 16-0 up just before half time.

James Duffy got Warrington on the board just before the interval before Pat Irwin touched down in the second half to reduce the gap further, but Finlay Yeomans’ try just three minutes later allowed Wigan to keep their visitors at arm’s length.

Nevertheless, Smith says he saw plenty to be encouraged about ahead of the do-or-die rematch in a fortnight’s time, as well as “valuable lessons” to be learned.

“There were some real positives to take from this game in the build up to our semi final in two weeks’ time,” he said.

“Our physicality on both sides of the game was a particular strength.

“There were also some valuable lessons learnt that we can take forward and improve on in regards to respecting possession and building pressure consistently.”

Wolves: Flynn Holden; Frank Sergent, James Duffy, Deacon Connolly, Lachlan Webster; Pat Irwin, Daniel Regan; Tom McKinney, Lewis Barratt, Isaac Reid, Charlie Walker, James McGuire, Jake Ramsden. Subs: Oliver Morgan, Alfie Mather, Charlie McKler, Kian Stanton. 18th: Junior Westwood