We saw a cracking game last night as Wigan Warriors defeated Warrington Wolves 26-12 in a vital clash in the play-off race but a game that always has added significance for both sides.
It was a very even, if not in favour of Warrington, first 40 with the scores locked up at 12-all.
Warrington struck first with a brilliant try for James Harrison created by Daryl Clark.
Wigan levelled matters when Bevan French’s cut out pass put in Liam Marshall for the equalisier.
But Clark would then go from provider to scorer as he dummied over isolating Patrick Mago.
A brilliant move just before the break however allowed Wigan to level matters again and in the second 40 Wigan did the damage.
However, they maybe had the rub of the green with one penalty when Paul Vaughan was penalised when about to play the ball after Brad O’Neill had rubbed his head on the ground.
Jon Wilkin branded it “a shocker.”
“That’s a shocker. What? That’s not a penalty. He has just had someone rub his head on the ground, and he has gotten up and walked towards him,” he said on Sky Sports.
“What is that now a penalty? It is a penalty if you walk towards someone with intent in your eyes?
“It is a shocking decision from Chris Kendall.”
Wigan had also got the rub of the green in the first 40 when Warrington were penalised for being offside from a Ben Currie kick.
Phil Clarke labelled it a “controversial call” as he said:
“It was a controversial call. The rules state that players have to be outside 10 metres of the player waiting to catch the ball.
“Your definition there of if any Wigan players there were going to catch the ball is debateable and you could argue that Ben Currie, who kicked the ball, had gotten them back onside but the official said they are offside and Wigan took full advantage.”
In the end though Wigan, certainly based on the second 40, were deserving winners as the pressure continues to mount on Daryl Powell’s side after a run of defeat has left their play-off spot in question.
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