Wigan Warriors were outplayed for an hour by Wakefield Trinity as the Super League Champions gave some of their big signings debuts.
These were former Leeds Rhinos stars Kruise Leeming at hooker with Sam Walters at second-row which was one of the key reasons why he left Headingley – wanting to play in the backrow.
Walters was playing prop at Leeds but at Wigan he has been given the chance to play in the second-row by Matt Peet.
Meanwhile, key players like Jake Wardle, Patrick Mago and Kaide Ellis all featured as did the debuting former St Helens star Luke Thompson after his move from the NRL.
There were some big names missing such as Jai Field, Liam Marshall, Bevan French and Harry Smith and without these they were unable to beat a near full strength Wakefield Trinity but Wakefield were without Luke Gale and Mason Lino.
Wigan did start the game well taking the lead with Sam Walters making a good impression when he moved the ball over the top for young Jack Douglas to score in the corner to make it 6-0.
However, the Warriors’ momentum stalled when Renouf Atoni crashed over before a quick brace from Jermaine McGillvary to make it 16-6 at the break.
Former Wakefield Trinity star Ryan Hampshire on his return to the club made an impression for Wigan with a delightful kick for Farrimond to score making it 16-12 but a hat-trick for Jermaine McGillvary made it 22-12 before the match was abandoned minutes later by Chris Kendall.
Wigan Warriors match abandoned
Rugby League – Betfred Super League – Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors – Be Well Support Stadium, Wakefield, England – Wakefield s Fans and Players celebrate there sides win over Wigan
An engaging contest between the favourites to win Super League and the favourites to win the Championship was cut short due to floodlight failure which Chris Kendall believed presented a safety risk to the players involved.
The issue emerged in the first half when the lights went out briefly before the problem kept happening over halftime before in the second half the problem caused problems with the match.
Chris Kendall in the end called the game with 17 minutes to go. This was a shame given it was a special night for Wakefield playing in front of their new stand in a home debut for new owner Matthew Ellis and for Daryl Powell.
It was also Matty Ashurt’s testimonial and the new stand had sold out for the fixture.
