Report

Wigan moved within one point of Super League leaders Castleford with an eight-try win against Catalans Dragons at the DW Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

A fine start saw Wigan fly into a 16-0 lead through Tom Davies (2) and Joe Burgess, but the Dragons hit back through Fouad Yaha, Tony Gigot and Louis Anderson to bring the scores level at the break.

A dominant second-half performance saw the Warriors run in five tries to overpower the Dragons.

Wigan’s first chance of the game came in only the second minute when they made 90 metres off a set, but on the final tackle referee Gareth Hewer called a forward pass.

Five minutes later Wigan won a penalty for a stray elbow in the tackle by Paul Aiton. From the resulting set they went close, but couldn’t find a way through.

The opening score of the game came in the 14^th minute. Catalans threatened down the left, but the ball hit the deck and Davies was there to collect and race almost 100 metres to score. Morgan Escare added the extras, 6-0.

Three minutes later Catalans spilled the ball again, this time on the Wigan 40 and Liam Forsyth made the break to pass to Davies for his second of the afternoon. Escare’s conversion hit the post and bounced out, 10-0.

A nice drop-off pass from George Williams to Burgess saw the centre burst through the defence to score in the 20^th minute. Escare converted the try and Wigan had a 16-0 lead.

Wigan’s lead was cut in the 27^th minute when Yaha snook in at the corner to score for Catalans. Luke Walsh couldn’t convert, 16-4.

Catalans were in again five minutes before the half-time break. Walsh’s kick came down with snow on it, was fumbled by Escare, and Gigot was there to collect and score. Walsh converted, 16-10.

A high bomb into the sunshine from Richie Myler was collected by Anderson who went over in the 38^th minute. Walsh added the two to bring the scores level.

It didn’t take long for Wigan to regain the lead. Just one minute into the second half, Liam Forsyth crossed over after a high bomb caused Catalans all sorts of problems. Escare was unable to convert, 20-16.

A pass from Myler picked out Anderson who crossed the whitewash from five out in the 47^th minute. Walsh added the two and the visitors led, 20-22.

The hosts regained the lead in the 60^th minute. The ball hit the deck, Forsyth put his nose through the gap and went over from 15 out. Escare was off target with the boot, 24-22.

A sublime pass from Liam Farrell found Williams, out to Burgess who went over for his second of the game two minutes later. Sam Powell took over the kicking duties and extended Wigan’s lead, 30-22.

Marshall made it seven tries from the Wigan three-quarter line when he waltzed over in the 68^th minute. Powell converted again and Wigan were now 36-22 to the good.

Williams made a break up the middle and had Farrell in support who crossed for his second of the season. Powell added the conversion from right in from as the hooter sounded.

The victory – Warriors’ third in succession – lifts Shaun Wane’s side up to third in the table, above Salford, who beat Toronto Wolfpack in the Challenge Cup fifth round earlier on Sunday.

Referee: Gareth Hewer

Attendance: 11,637

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 16-0, 16-4, 16-10, 16-16, 20-16, 20-22, 24-22, 30-22, 36-22, 42-22.

Written by Adam Gray.