Round 7
Hull FC 20 l. Wigan Warriors 30

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Round 7 Super League Summary
Wed March 28, 2007
Round 7 of the engage Super League provided us with plenty more of the unpredictable, thrills and skills that we've come to expect from this season.

There were three games played on Friday evening, the first of which saw Wigan travelling to the KC stadium to take on Hull FC. Hull's miserable season had improved dramatically after a hugely impressive performance last week against St Helens, to claim their first win of the season. It was Wigan, however, who came away with the two points after putting in an equally impressive performance to claim a 20-30 victory. Trent Barrett scored two tries for the Warriors, who moved into the play off positions for the first time this year. Wigan boss, Brian Noble, believes that Barrett is, "Going to be big for us" whilst Hull 's Peter Sharp described his teams performance as, "A pile of rubbish to tell you the truth".

St Helens got their season back on track after a routine victory against the other side of Hull at Knowsley Road. Saints' Captain Paul Sculthorpe scored a try and kicked four goals in his side's 42-14 win. He claimed the Man of the Match award as he continues his recovery from a persistent knee injury. Hull KR were without influential captain James Webster for the clash and coach Justin Morgan, was satisfied with his team's performance saying, "I'm proud of their effort and our attitude was good."

Friday night's other game saw Leeds run out 28-16 victors against Harlequins at Headingly. Harlequin's will think of themselves as unlucky after two of Leeds' tries came from deflections and another from a blatant forward pass. Tony Smith, who signed up to become the new, full time Great Britain coach on Monday, hailed new signing Brent Webb's impact on the game after he scoring two tries.

There were no games on Saturday, due to football and cricket, so Sunday saw three games. League leaders Bradford, were at home to the Catalan Dragons, however they found themselves on the wrong end of a 22-29 defeat. The Dragons came out all guns blazing to establish a 0-10 lead through tries from Casey McGuire and Stacy Jones. The Bulls came back into it, however the Dragon's defence laid the platform for them to claim only their third ever away victory. Catalan's coach Mick Potter said, " I'm very happy" about the result whilst Bradford Coach, Steve McNamara said that his team were, "poor and thoroughly disappointed with our performance."

Huddersfield again failed to claim a point from their home game against struggling Salford as they slumped to a 16-18 defeat. The Giant's seventh straight loss leaves them 5 points adrift, despite only having a 30 point negative point's difference. Luke Robinson scored a brace of tries to help Salford to their only their second victory of the season.

Wakefield coach, John Kear, described his team's 30-24 victory over Warrington as a, "Great advert for Rugby League". Kear was delighted with his team's guts after they recovered from falling 16-24 behind in a thrilling game at Belle Vue. The victory lifts Wakefield into second place on the table and reinforces their status as this years surprise package. Warrington coach, Paul Cullen blamed his side's composure for the loss saying, "there was enough effort and enough skill, but not enough composure."

The Super League takes a break next week to make room for the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.


Great win for Warriors at Hull
Sat March 24, 2007
Source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Wigan Warriors recorded their fourth win of the season with a superb display against Hull FC at the KC Stadium.

Two tries a piece to Trent Barrett and Pat Richards put Wigan into a great position in what was probably the performance of the season against a tough Hull side who the week before had beaten St Helens here.

Wigan pressed early, a clever Leuluai chip kick was taken by Chris Ashton as Hull were stretched, his pass to Higham was knocked forward. Soon after the Warriors gained two sets under the Hull posts but the home defence held firm.

The first points were scored on 12 minutes courtesy of a Danny Tickle penalty, Wigan penalised for holding in the tackle, 2-0.

Hull could have extended their narrow lead on 16 minutes, Paul King sent Shaun Briscoe into a gap and he was tackled just short of the try line, the Airlie Birds wasted possession and knocked on from the next play the ball.

Wigan scored the games first try and the first in the cherry and white for Trent Barrett on 32 minutes, Millard with the short pass to send in the Aussie, Richards added the goal, 2-6.

Two minutes later and the Warriors were in again, crisp handling from Vaealiki and Ashton sent in Pat Richards who cut inside, the winger added the extras to make it 2-12.

Two minutes after the half time break, Hull were right back in it, Hutch Maiava with a try from a Godwin pass close to the Wigan line. Tickle's goal made it 8-12.

A penalty from the boot of Richards from distance made it 8-14 on 55 minutes.

Three minutes later and Barrett was across for his second try in Wigan colours. Barrett the creator on half way sending O'Loughlin away and the number 6 was there in support to dive over under the posts, Barrett at his best. Richard's conversion made it 8-20.

Barrett was involved again in Richard's second try, a high kick to the corner and the winger rose above Matt Sing to collect the ball for the try. This time he missed the goal but Brian Noble's men were looking good at 8-24.

A Bryan Fletcher break sent in Chris Ashton under the sticks for the sides fifth try which Richards converted, five from six attempts, 8-30.

Hull scored two late consolation tries from Willie Manu and Richard Horne which Tickle goaled but by the Wigan had bagged the two Super League points. It finished 20-30.

Hull FC 20
Tries: Maiava, Manu, R Horne
Goals: Tickle 4
Team: Shaun Briscoe, Matt Sing, Richard Whiting, Kirk Yeaman, Gareth Raynor, Thomas Lee, Richard Horne, Ewan Dowes, Richard Swain, Paul King, Lee Radford, Danny Tickle, Danny Washbrook. Subs: Hutch Maiava, Willie Manu, Wayne Godwin, Motu Tony.

Wigan Warriors 30
Tries: Barrett 2, Richards 2, Ashton
Goals: Richards 5
Team: Chris Ashton, Mark Calderwood, Phil Bailey, David Vaealiki, Pat Richards, Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai, Stuart Fielden, Mickey Higham, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Gareth Hock, Bryan Fletcher, Sean O'Loughlin. Subs: Shane Millard, Paul Prescott, Harrison Hansen, Danny Hill.

Referee - Ashley Klein
Attendance - 12,755

Report source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Article: Noble thrilled with win at KC Stadium

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