Round 19
Harlequins 24 l. Wigan Warriors 26

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Vital win for Warriors at The Stoop
Sun July 2, 2006
Source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Wigan made it a hat-trick of wins in a row against a determined Harlequins side at the Stoop on Saturday. At the end the Warriors were hanging on as the home side never gave up the chase.

A vital victory that keeps alive the momentum with another huge game on Friday at the JJB to come against the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

A satisfactory job done, a game with mistakes from both sides but at this stage of the season all that matters is the Super League points.

A game played in 25 plus degrees Celsius with a surreal feeling early on as the England World Cup Quarter Final tie went to extra time and penalties against Portugal in Germany. Not a huge crowd at the Stoop but again a huge following of noisy Wigan fans behind the posts cheering the side along.

The game was a real arm wrestle in the opening ten minutes, both sides wary of making mistakes. Wigan welcomed back Kris Radlinski to the starting line up.

The deadlock finally broken on 19 minutes, Soloman Haumono with the try, benefit of the doubt given to the attacking side as the big second rower grounded the ball out wide. He managed to touch the ball down, although it did look as if he had lost control looking at the video replays. Paul struck the conversion to give the home side a 6-0 advantage.

Wigan had a chance for a try out wide themselves soon after but Bryan Fletcher knocked on with Mark Calderwood on his outside.

The Warriors were level on 26 minutes, Fletcher and Orr involved close to the line, Chris Ashton diving over for the four points. Dobson hit the extras to make it 6-6.

On 35 minutes, Brett Dallas intercepted a pass out wide to race clear from half way for the Warriors second try, Dobson made it two from two, 6-12.

Quins were given a controversial penalty try by the video referee in the last few seconds as Pat Weisner crossed. It looked as if he had lost it just short but in a two man tackle it was adjudged that the ball was knocked out by a Wigan hand. It took some time for the decision to be made but it was to the dismay of the traveling fans. Paul hit the goal 12-12 at the interval.

A Michael Dobson penalty three minutes into the second half gave Brian Nobles men the lead 12-14.

On 59 minutes, Leuluai provided a short pas to Temata who had support from Joe Mbu who proved unstoppable from close to the line. Paul's conversion made it 18-14 to Quins.

Wigan responded almost immediately, great work by Danny Orr who found a gap, he put an excellent little kick which Mark Calderwood kicked on and picked up for the cherry and whites third try out wide. Dobson's goal made it 18-20.

Two minutes later and Wigan were in again, this time Calderwood the provider down the right. He didn't just have enough pace to escape the final tackle but was able to release the ball to the supporting Chris Ashton for his second try. The goal was struck by Dobson to the delight of the away fans, 18-26.

The game was far from over as the Quins scored their fourth try through Mark McLinden on 74 minutes, somehow the ball passed on the left hand side to the supporting McLinden despite three Wigan tackles. Paul's goal made it 24-26.

It was a frantic finish and a real nailbiter but the Warriors held on just ,to claim the win.

Report source: www.wiganwarriors.com

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