For a few hours at least, Wigan Warriors had the chance to
draw level with Hull KR at the top of Super League and all that stood in their
way was the Black & White side of Hull who themselves knew that a win would move them
back ahead of Wakefield Trinity and into the top six.
Wigan were clear favourites for the win and had been
handicapped by fourteen points on the coupon, but 2025 had seen a resurgence from
the Airlie Birds who were showing devastating form on the road, if not at home.
The sides have met three times om 2025, Wigan winning the
two league meetings with ease, but Hull sprang a surprise and eliminated the
Warriors from the Challenge Cup in the fourth round.
Zach Eckersley bounced the ball on the line when all he had
to do was ground it for the opening try on two minutes, the referee not even
bothering with the video official.
Eckersley was helped off the field on thirteen with what
looked to be a lower leg injury. Within two minutes of the enforced reshuffle,
Wigan conceded after an Aidan Sezer chip was fumbled by Christian Wade and
picked up by Jed Cartwright to dive over. Jack Charles added the conversion for
a 6-0 lead.
On twenty-two the Wigan defence opened up to gift Hull the
easiest of tries, Sezer darting through a gap before finding Cartwright to go
ten metres for his second of the afternoon. Charles was again on target for
12-0, the dream start for the visitors.
With seven minutes of the half remaining, Sezer hit a short
pass ten from the line and bust the Wigan line to go in by the left upright.
Charles hit the mark again, it was becoming a nightmare for the Warriors, Hull
FC having their best first half of the season.
With sixty seconds to go Wigan were caught offside on their own
line, Charles adding the two for a 20-0 half time lead.
Wigan finally registered their first points on fifty-five,
demon of the first half, Wade taking a Jake Wardle pass and stripping his way
through the Hull defence to score in the left corner. Hary Smith added the conversion
to leave Wigan still fourteen adrift.
Four minutes later Liam Marshall dropped a dipping pass with
the line begging.
Great Wigan tackling prevented Harvey Barron from scoring as
three defenders ensured he stayed on his back as they slid him over the line
and into dead in goal.
The points were secured on sixty-five. Wade losing the
Charles high kick with the ball being picked up by Jordan Rapana, the Hull
centre diving over for the fourth Hull try. Charles was again on target, Hull
cruising to the victory.
Ethan Havard grabbed a seventy-third minute consolation when
he battered his way to the line after taking the pass ten out, Smith added the
extras for 12-26.
Hull were still keen for more points and on seventy-six Jack
Ashworth picked up and grounded a Zak Hardaker kick to goal. Charles was on
target to maintain his perfect kicking record, in off the post, to seal a 32-12
victory.
Hull FC did themselves a great favour and moved back onside
the play-off places with an unexpected but well-deserved win against an
off-colour Wigan Warriors. But they also did the arch enemy from across the
city a big favour and ensured that a win for them tonight on the south of
France would put them four points clear at the top. Wigan seem to have lost
their mojo in recent weeks, their supporters will be concerned that they might
have peaked too early in the season.
Wigan Warriors: Field, Marshall, Eckersley, Wardle, Wade (T),
Keighran, Smith (G 2/2), Havard (T), O’Neill, Dupree, Nsemba, Farrell, Ellis. Subs:
Mago, Byrne, Leeming, Hill. 18th Man: Douglas.
Hull FC: Hardaker, Barron, Rapana (T), Litten, Martin, Charles
(G 6/6), Sezer (T), Ese’ese, Cust, Knight, Cartwright (2T), Fash, Aydin. Subs: Ashworth
(T), Briscoe, Laidlaw, Hutchinson. 18th Man: Wainhouse.
Half-Time: 0-20.
Full-Time: 12-32.
Score Progression: 0-4, 0-6, 0-10, 0-12, 0-16, 0-18, 0-20 : HT: 4-20, 6-20, 6-24, 6-26, 10-26, 12-26, 12-20, 12-32 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: FC.
Referee: Liam Moore.
