Nine Try Warriors Beat Wildcats

Wigan returned to the Super League fold with a 46-24 win against a tough Wakefield side who for the third meeting in a row led against Wigan before going down to a loss.

A much changed side from the loss in Australia saw Ryan Hampshire come in for Matty Bowen at fullback with Manfredi replacing Charnley on the wing and Gelling and Thornley lining up in the centre. The youthful Wigan side started well after a penalty allowed them good position when Gelling picked out Manfredi for the winger's first senior try but Wigan's kicking issue remains as Smith missed for a 4-0 score.

Wigan came inches away from a second try when Burgess dived for the line only to be forced into touch in the 12th minute and the advantage of a penalty was proved again when Wakefield took the lead after Lauitiiti went over for the try and Sammut converting for 4-6. The lead lasted a couple of minutes as Wigan went in front after a clever pass from Green found Thornley who went over for the try and the position allowed Smith to convert for 10-6.

The lead increased in the 20th minute when a nice run from Smith saw him find O'Loughlin who went in under the posts for a rare captain's try and Smith made it 2/3 for a 16-6 lead. Wakefield pushed to close the gap and forced a goal-line dropout but to no avail as the next set saw O'Loughlin double his tally after a mazy run through the Wakefield line with Smith converting for a 22-6 lead.

Wakefield have shown they are a tough side to put away in recent meetings but on the half hour mark, Wigan made it 26-6 after a well worked kick from Green found Hampshire in the corner for the try but a failed conversion meant Smith was 3/5. Bateman found space and increased the lead to 24 with a try with Smith's missing the conversion for a 30-6 lead.

Wakefield had a massive chance to close the gap but were denied by a superb tackle from Farrell on Sammut only a metre from the try line and with a two on one on the right side it looked like an easy try for Sykes but Thornely cleared to keep the visitors out. The clearance was deemed to have been from an offside position and from the resulting penalty, Kirmond went over for the try with Sammut's conversion making it 30-12 at the interval to the disappointment of Wigan coach Shaun Wane, visibly angry in the dugout.

Wakefield made it two consecutive scores after a Wigan mistake saw Godinet intercept and race clear with only Hampshire close to catching him but he offloaded to the supporting Fox who went over for the try and Sammut's third conversion success narrowed the gap to 30-18.

Wigan ended the Wakefield momentum as Green picked out Flower and the forward went in for the try with Smith converting successfully for a 36-18 lead which was extended after a stunning solo run and try by Burgess but a failed conversion meant a 40-18 lead which surely scuppered any Wakefield hopes.

Their chance of coming back was hindered further after Hampshire went on a clever run and kick only to be taken out by Mathers who after a delay was sent to the bin and Wigan took advantage as Tomkins found Farrell who went over for the try, a deserved reward for his brilliant performance with Smith kicking for a 46-18 lead.

Wigan's push to reach 50 saw them held up on the line but a Manfredi error allowed Lyne to intercept and race the length of the field unchallenged for an easy try and with Sammut retaining his 100% kicking success the score was 46-24. Wakefield pushed to reduce the gap further but to no avail as Wigan held on for their first win while the visitors will reflect on a second consecutive 24 point haul at the DW that will give them confidence for the year ahead.