Sky Sports pundits say Wigan Warriors have a major problem

On Friday night Wigan Warriors defeated Hull FC in golden point to help their prospects of a top two finish and an all important home semi-final in the play-offs as they battle with Leigh Leopards and St Helens for that honour.

The Warriors valiantly battled back from 12-4 down early in the first half to take the game to extra time thanks to tries from Toby king and Jake Wardle.

Crucially, Harry Smith missed every shot at goal in a game where Wigan out scored Hull FC three tries to two.

Though Smith’s thunderous drop goal won the game in the end it does highlight a problem for Wigan as we enter the business end of the year.

This was highlighted by Brian Carney on Sky Sports who said: “Harry Smith missed all three efforts at goal for his side which is a problem for them, but off the tee not so good but from far out he nailed the drop goal.”

John Kear meanwhile underlined the importance of conversions: “We have spoken about how important goal kicking is but that is a very good drop goal.”

Turning to the game itself, it was a cagey first half between the two and for a long time Liam Sutcliffe’s penalty had Hull FC holding a 2-0 lead.

But finally on the halfway mark, a high kick to the corner wasn’t dealt with by Davy Litten with the ball coming up for Liam Marshall going down the touchline to score to make it 4-2.

But before the break, Hull FC took the lead again through Adam Swift, a few days after his exit from the club was confirmed. He scored after a lovely kick from Jake Clifford.

Wigan had a chance to score at the start of the second half as Jai Field and Bevan French linked up but they were pulled back for a forward pass.

Then Hull struck with another player leaving the club. This time brad Dwyer was the one to capitalise on a high kick from Clifford.

Wigan needed to score next and they did as toby King slipped through a gap after he was picked out by a cut out pass.

With just minutes left, Carlos Tuimavave was sin binned for a dangerous tackle on Jake Wardle and moments later Wardle was crossing to level matters thanks to a Jai Field pass.

The conversion was missed sending the game to golden point. For the first few minutes, Wigan had all the chances but Hull FC clung on.

The game entered the second period of golden point after a Jake Clifford effort was blocked.

But the match was won in the 88th minute with a Harry Smith drop goal.