After a superb win over Leeds in the penultimate round of the regular
season, Wigan played host to Warrington with the winners guaranteed a top three
finish and with the Warriors looking to complete a first league double over the
Wolves since 2003.
Warrington came close to a perfect start as Joel Monaghan came just metres from the Wigan try line before the ball travelled into touch and Wigan utilised the early scare to their advantage as they took the lead themselves in the seventh minute.
A clever kick from Blake Green rebounded off a Warrington defender resulting in a wiping down of the tackle count and after a powerful run from Dan Sarginson, the ball was passed out to the wing for the Joe Burgess to collect and touch down for the opening try of the evening but Matty Smith was unable to convert at 4-0.
Wigan could have scored instantly from the restart as Josh Charnley's dash put Wigan in a great position before the ball across the field and into the hands of Dan Sarginson who found Joe Burgess on the win but the pacy winger was denied a second try as he breached the touchline just a metre away from the Warrington line.
Joel Monaghan looked to level for Warrington but was denied in the corner by a superb defensive tackle by Joe Burgess who prevented a certain try for the current Super League top try scorer but the Wolves continued to pressure and their build-up paid off in the 26th minute.
After having been denied twice already, it was third time lucky for Joel Monaghan as collected the ball unmarked on the wing after a quick passing play from Warrington carved Wigan open and allowed Monaghan to cross for an easy try which Stefan Ratchford converted successfully for a 6-4 lead for the Wolves.
Warrington extended their lead just after the half-hour as a well-worked move saw Richie Myler break through the Wigan defence and cross for a try but the replay showed a knock-on had been missed by the officials in the build-up but with Stefan Ratchford converting for 12-4, Warrington were beginning to build momentum.
The momentum saw them score a third try in the space of nine minutes as a superb kick from Richie Myler saw Joel Monaghan collect and look to have touched down before crossing the dead ball line but a video review was called for by Phil Bentham and in the replays, the Wolves winger had been successful by the slimmest of margins and the try was awarded with Stefan Ratchford converted for 18-4 at the interval.
Alike last season's Grand Final, Wigan would have to overturn a 14 point deficit to secure the victory and just five minutes into the second half, the foundations were laid for a comeback as a clever pass from Dan Sarginson saw Joe Burgess collect out wide before crossing for a try which was unconverted as Matty Smith missed from a tough angle at 18-8.
Wigan looked to have reduced the deficit further in the 52nd minute as a stylish grubber kick from Anthony Gelling saw Josh Charnley collect before chipping a kick forward which he successfully re-gathered before touching down for a superb try which went to a video review before being awarded but another miss from Matty Smith left Wigan still behind at 18-12.
Tensions rose between the sides just three minutes later as Paul Wood took exception to Eddy Pettybourne's reaction to the Warrington man's tackle and the two exchanged punches which resulted in both being shown yellow cards and sent for a 10 minute trip to the sin bin.
Warrington reached the 20 point mark after Wigan gave a way a penalty just metres from their own line and Warrington elected to go for goal and with Stefan Ratchford converting the penalty goal successfully the Wolves now led 20-12 but were soon the architects of their own downfall.
A rapid passing move saw Warrington close in on the Wigan line only for a pass from Micheal Monaghan to glide into the arms of Josh Charnley who raced 80 metres down the field unchallenged to cross for a stunning try under the posts which Matty Smith converted successfully for 20-18.
Wigan completed their stunning second half fight back in the 66th minute as superb move from Blake Green saw him power over the Warrington line and look to have touched down despite pressure from a number of Wolves defenders which resulted in a video review but the try was eventually awarded and Matty Smith converted for a 24-20 lead.
The Wolves looked to have fallen further behind when a high attacking kick from Matty Bowen found Anthony Gelling who swept forward a grubber kick before collecting and zig-zagging through the Wolves defence and crossing for a try but the decision was subject to a video review and was soon chalked off due to crossing.
Warrington could have drawn level with six minutes left of the 80 when a well-worked passing set found Rhys Evans out wide but the height of the pass saw the winger fail to grasp the ball which sailed into touch and the Wolves were dealt a late blow as a challenge from Michael McIlorum floored James Laithwaite.
After a delay, the Warrington man was stretchered off and the Wolves had one final chance to secure a top three finish as a dangerous grubber kick towards Wigan's in-goal area saw a double fumble but Warrington were unable take advantage and as a result would finish fourth or fifth depending on other results. Wigan on the other hand moved up to second and would be guaranteed a home play-off tie should Castleford lose in France.
Warrington came close to a perfect start as Joel Monaghan came just metres from the Wigan try line before the ball travelled into touch and Wigan utilised the early scare to their advantage as they took the lead themselves in the seventh minute.
A clever kick from Blake Green rebounded off a Warrington defender resulting in a wiping down of the tackle count and after a powerful run from Dan Sarginson, the ball was passed out to the wing for the Joe Burgess to collect and touch down for the opening try of the evening but Matty Smith was unable to convert at 4-0.
Wigan could have scored instantly from the restart as Josh Charnley's dash put Wigan in a great position before the ball across the field and into the hands of Dan Sarginson who found Joe Burgess on the win but the pacy winger was denied a second try as he breached the touchline just a metre away from the Warrington line.
Joel Monaghan looked to level for Warrington but was denied in the corner by a superb defensive tackle by Joe Burgess who prevented a certain try for the current Super League top try scorer but the Wolves continued to pressure and their build-up paid off in the 26th minute.
After having been denied twice already, it was third time lucky for Joel Monaghan as collected the ball unmarked on the wing after a quick passing play from Warrington carved Wigan open and allowed Monaghan to cross for an easy try which Stefan Ratchford converted successfully for a 6-4 lead for the Wolves.
Warrington extended their lead just after the half-hour as a well-worked move saw Richie Myler break through the Wigan defence and cross for a try but the replay showed a knock-on had been missed by the officials in the build-up but with Stefan Ratchford converting for 12-4, Warrington were beginning to build momentum.
The momentum saw them score a third try in the space of nine minutes as a superb kick from Richie Myler saw Joel Monaghan collect and look to have touched down before crossing the dead ball line but a video review was called for by Phil Bentham and in the replays, the Wolves winger had been successful by the slimmest of margins and the try was awarded with Stefan Ratchford converted for 18-4 at the interval.
Alike last season's Grand Final, Wigan would have to overturn a 14 point deficit to secure the victory and just five minutes into the second half, the foundations were laid for a comeback as a clever pass from Dan Sarginson saw Joe Burgess collect out wide before crossing for a try which was unconverted as Matty Smith missed from a tough angle at 18-8.
Wigan looked to have reduced the deficit further in the 52nd minute as a stylish grubber kick from Anthony Gelling saw Josh Charnley collect before chipping a kick forward which he successfully re-gathered before touching down for a superb try which went to a video review before being awarded but another miss from Matty Smith left Wigan still behind at 18-12.
Tensions rose between the sides just three minutes later as Paul Wood took exception to Eddy Pettybourne's reaction to the Warrington man's tackle and the two exchanged punches which resulted in both being shown yellow cards and sent for a 10 minute trip to the sin bin.
Warrington reached the 20 point mark after Wigan gave a way a penalty just metres from their own line and Warrington elected to go for goal and with Stefan Ratchford converting the penalty goal successfully the Wolves now led 20-12 but were soon the architects of their own downfall.
A rapid passing move saw Warrington close in on the Wigan line only for a pass from Micheal Monaghan to glide into the arms of Josh Charnley who raced 80 metres down the field unchallenged to cross for a stunning try under the posts which Matty Smith converted successfully for 20-18.
Wigan completed their stunning second half fight back in the 66th minute as superb move from Blake Green saw him power over the Warrington line and look to have touched down despite pressure from a number of Wolves defenders which resulted in a video review but the try was eventually awarded and Matty Smith converted for a 24-20 lead.
The Wolves looked to have fallen further behind when a high attacking kick from Matty Bowen found Anthony Gelling who swept forward a grubber kick before collecting and zig-zagging through the Wolves defence and crossing for a try but the decision was subject to a video review and was soon chalked off due to crossing.
Warrington could have drawn level with six minutes left of the 80 when a well-worked passing set found Rhys Evans out wide but the height of the pass saw the winger fail to grasp the ball which sailed into touch and the Wolves were dealt a late blow as a challenge from Michael McIlorum floored James Laithwaite.
After a delay, the Warrington man was stretchered off and the Wolves had one final chance to secure a top three finish as a dangerous grubber kick towards Wigan's in-goal area saw a double fumble but Warrington were unable take advantage and as a result would finish fourth or fifth depending on other results. Wigan on the other hand moved up to second and would be guaranteed a home play-off tie should Castleford lose in France.
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