Wigan Warriors have defeated Hull FC 22-18 in Liam Marshall’s testimonial fixture.
The Warriors, who put out a line-up near to full-strength, helped their star winger celebrate in the best way possible, as they secured the victory in what was their final pre-season game.
A hat-trick from Lewis Martin was one of a few positives Hull can take from the contest, but as with any warm-up fixture, there won’t be too much emphasis on the result.
In what was a scrappy first-half, both sides took their time in settling into the fixture.
Zack Eckersley had the first chance of points, but the young winger couldn’t find the line and the FC defence did enough to bundle him into touch.
Will Pryce looked to pick up an injury to his ribs, but after a check with the physio, the full-back continued on for the remainder of the first half.
It took just short of 25 minutes, but there could only be one man to open the proceedings. Marshall finished off a shift play on the left hand side, receiving a cut-out ball from Jai Field to go over untouched.
Hull took no time at all to respond, however, and last year’s top try scorer Lewis Martin levelled the scores just minutes later. The winger found some space on the left edge and after beating the Wigan line managed to round Field with ease as he dived over.
Both tries were converted, meaning at the break the scores were tied at 6-6.
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Wigan started the better of the two sides in the second half, and after a solid defensive set that kept FC in their own 20m, Field collected the kick on the full and broke through the away side’s line.
After being chased down by two defenders, the full-back had Junior Nsemba in support, and the back-rower finished off a sublime try. Adam Keighran couldn’t convert.
Elliot Middlemas, who scored two tries in the pre-season defeat to Huddersfield Giants, looked to level the scores but he couldn’t find the line and solid defence from Eckersley and Keighran forced him into touch.
Field’s final contribution of the game saw him end with points, as he broke the line 30m out and managed to get to the line.
Martin added a second to reduce the deficit after some nice play saw FC keep the ball alive. Offloads from Harvie Hill and Cade Cust allowed Callum Kemp to get a long ball out to the winger, who crossed for his brace.
Jack Farrimond crossed next, after he was first to react to a knock-back of a kick by Nsemba. The youngster featured in place of Harry Smith, who is still recovering from surgery on his wrist.
Jonny Vaughan looked to seal the win for his new club after signing from St Helens, but the Wigan man couldn’t convert as he dropped the ball over the line.
Martin added his hat-trick try with mere minutes to go, and Davy Litten crossed in the final play of the game after a lengthy run from Middlemas, but it wouldn’t be enough as Wigan claimed a 22-18 victory.
It’s fair to say neither team were at their best, but both sides will take positives from what was a classic pre-season clash.
Teams:
Wigan Warriors: 1. Jai Field, 2. Zach Eckersley, 3. Adam Keighran, 4. Jake Wardle, 5. Liam Marshall, 6. Bevan French, 19. Jack Farrimond, 10. Luke Thompson, 22. Tom Forber, 14. Sam Walters, 11. Junior Nsemba, 12. Liam Farrell, 13. Kaide Ellis
Bench: Ethan Havard, Patrick Mago, Oliver Partington, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Nathan Lowe, Lukas Mason, Noah Hodkinson, Tiaki Chan, Jonny Vaughan, Dayon Sambou, George O’Loughlin, George Marsden
Tries: Marshall, Farrimond, Field, Nsemba
Goals: Keighran 3/4
Hull FC: 1. Will Pryce, 5. Lewis Martin, 3. Davy Litten, 4. Zak Hardaker, 2. Harvey Barron, 27. Callum Kemp, 6. Jake Arthur, 10. Harvie Hill, 9. Amir Bourouh, 18. Ligi Sao, 12. Jed Cartwright, 11. Joe Batchelor, 20. Yusuf Aydin.
Bench: 14. Cade Cust, 16. Sam Lisone, 19. Tom Briscoe, 21. Arthur Romano, 22. Connor Bailey, 23. Brad Fash, 26. Hugo Salabio, 29. Will Hutchinson, 30. Will Kirby, 32. Lloyd Kemp, 37. Elliot Middlemas
Tries: Martin (3), Litten
Goals: Pryce 1/2, L. Kemp 0/2
