Wigan Warriors face a huge test this week against rivals Leeds Rhinos who are desperate as they battle with Warrington Wolves, Hull KR and Salford Red Devils for a play off spot.
Wigan go into the game top of the league after a win over Salford Red Devils om Friday night but they are level on points with Catalans Dragons and Champions St Helens.
After the win over Salford, it was put to coach Matt Peet if he was happy with his side at the present moment.
Ever the perfectionist, Peet admitted that he wasn’t on Sky Sports.
He said: “Not really, no. I’m glad we’re at the top of the league, don’t get me wrong, but no, there’s things we need to improve.
“We’re exactly where I want to be, but I would have taken this at the outset. But I remember very vividly last year that we were doing quite well and didn’t turn up for the semis.
“It’s all about just trying to look week on week and improve and build the mindset that’s what our standard has to be in those big games.”
The Cherry and Whites were gifted a great chance to notch the first points if the evening. A penalty and a set restart gave them two sets within 10 meters of Salford’s line, but a pass from Harry Smith couldn’t find Abbas Miski and the chance went amiss.
A Bevan French tackle on Chris Atkin gifts the visitors the perfect chance to take the lead; and with no Marc Sneyd on the pitch, Ryan Brierley stepped up to put the first points on the board.
A penalty on halfway gave Wigan the perfect chance to get into a scoring position, and they made this count through Liam Farrell. The second-rower broke through a slight gap in the Salford line, and he danced around two other defenders to dive over the line for the first try of the night.
A sloppy error costs the Red Devils a great chance to regain the lead. Danny Addy put in a great carry to take his side within a meter of the Warriors line, but there was nobody at dummy half for the visitors and Wigan jumped on the loose ball.
Another penalty in front of the sticks gives Ryan Brierley a chance to pull his side level, and he duly slotted the kick.
The Lebanese international has been in fine try scoring form this season, and he grabbed another one to give his side the lead again. A flowing move through the hands found the ball in the in-form wingers hands and he dived over in the corner for the Warriors second try of the night.
A fantastic set from the Warriors earns its reward as Jake Wardle crashed over following a bullet pass from Jai Field. Great offloading skills kept the play alive, and they eventually worked it down to the line for Wardle to grab a try on the last tackle.
On the stroke of half-time, Jai Field pulls off a spectacular solo try. A hit and hope kick from Marc Sneyd falls into the hands of Field, and he ran down the pitch to score his sides forth try.
The opening two minutes of the second half provided plenty of entertainment. A fantastic break from Chris Atkin got the Red Devils close to the Wigan line, and then a loose pass fell into Liam Marshall’s hands and he in turn ran 50 meters up the pitch and nearly escaped the chasing defenders.
With Salford down to 12 men, Wigan capitalised as Toby King crossed the whitewash. Field skipped around the defence, and linked up with partner in crime Bevan French, who threw a beautiful out the back offload to King and the centre walked in to score.
A lovely flowing move from the visitors found the ball in Ken Sio’s hands, and the Samoan international crossed out wide; but it was too little too late for Salford at this point.
