Wigan struck a potentially significant psychological blow for next Saturday’s Challenge Cup final with a narrow victory over their Wembley opponents, Warrington. Even though they move level on points with St Helens at the top of Super League it may have come at an enormous cost.
Both sides rested key men with one eye on Wembley with the visitors emerging victorious despite trailing 12-0 early on. However, the world champions did not emerge unscathed. Their winger, Liam Marshall, who scored one of their three tries, spent most of the second half nursing an apparent knee injury and there are disciplinary concerns over at least three that would definitely be in their London lineup.
Hooker Brad O’Neill was penalised for a late shot on Josh Drinkwater in the early stages, which could be picked up by the disciplinary process on Monday, and prop Tyler Dupree appears to be in danger after a possible head-butt on Warrington’s Sam Powell. Centre Adam Keighranwill almost certain to be banned for Wembley after receiving a red card in the final quarter for a high tackle on Arron Lindop.
Warrington named a side with four debutants and just five survivors from last week’s win at Catalans, but they began brightly. After Stefan Ratchford’s penalty made it 2-0, Arron Lindop grounded for the opening try before Drinkwater collected his own kick to touch down and make it 12-0.
Wigan’s interchange bench, loaded with experience, proved significant. As they arrived midway through the first half, the momentum swung the Warriors’ way and they halved the deficit when Junior Nsemba crashed over from close range. That was the first of three tries in 10 minutes, which put the visitors in control.
Their next came when Marshall produced a wonderful solo finish and in the following set a stunning Bevan French break was finished by Kruise Leeming. A Harry Smith drop goal then made it 19-12 and that one-pointer proved ultimately to be the difference.
It took until the final three minutes for more points. By then, Keighran had been sent off for an awful tackle on Lindop and shortly after that Warrington set up a grandstand finale when Ratchford converted his own try to reduce the gap to one.
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Wigan held on in a dramatic final few moments for two competition points but it was already difficult not to think about what it meant for Wembley.
