Round 11
Wigan Warriors 44 d. Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 10

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

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

Warriors bounce back with Barrett and Ashton crossing twice
Sat April 21, 2007
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Two tries from Trent Barrett and rugby union-bound Chris Ashton saw Wigan emphatically erase the memory of last week's Huddersfield horror show against Wakefield.

David Vaealiki, Pat Richards and Darrell Goulding were also on the scoresheet as the Warriors, who only led by 10 points at the interval, secured a convincing engage Super League win.

Wigan cut loose in the second period after a quickfire break from Australian star Barrett and the immaculate goalkicking of Richards underlined their dominance.

Wakefield, who scored in the first half through Ben Jeffries, managed a Jason Demetriou consolation but they were outplayed in most areas.

Wigan opened the scoring after 12 minutes at the JJB Stadium when Richards slotted over an easy goal.

The Warriors were further ahead within a minute as Thomas Leuluai sneaked a lovely ball out of a two-man tackle to release Ashton, who found Vaealiki on his outside for a walk-in score.

Richards added his second goal to make it 8-0 and the Wakefield defence did well to prevent further scores from Barrett and Phil Bailey.

The Wildcats registered their first points in the 23rd minute when, after a couple of penalties and a knock-on from Stuart Fielden saw them enjoy a period of sustained pressure, Jeffries reached over in the right-hand corner.

They could not build on it however, and the Warriors crossed for their second try seven minutes before the break and it was a real long-range effort.

Mark Calderwood started the move deep in Wigan territory and his pass put Richards through down the middle.

The Australian winger was run down by a determined chase from Wakefield winger Peter Fox.

The respite was only temporary though as a quick play-the-ball allowed Ashton to release Calderwood, who put Richards through again and this time he was not to be denied.

Richards converted to make it 14-4 at half-time, but it was only more outstanding defence from Fox that prevented a third score before the interval, this time from Calderwood.

Any hopes Wakefield had of getting back into the game in the second half were dashed as Barrett crossed for two tries within seven minutes of the restart.

The first was a sensational team move covering three quarters of the field involving Mick Higham, Leuluai, Ashton and Bailey.

The second came after a routine knock-on from Wakefield under their own posts and saw Barrett take the ball as first receiver and glide through under the posts.

Richards converted both to extend the Warriors' lead to 26-4 with over 20 minutes still remaining.

Wakefield's frustration was evident as Ryan Atkins took Paul Prescott high from the restart at the expense of a penalty and a telling-off from the official.

The Warriors were in again after 63 minutes when quick hands from Barrett and Sean O'Loughlin put Goulding over in the corner, and the youngster then escaped the clutches of Atkins to put Ashton in under the posts.

Richards converted both before Demetriou added some semblance of respectability to the scoreline.

Bryan Fletcher was sinbinned in injury time for laying on but Ashton finished the game with a long-range second try.

Wigan: (14) 44
Tries: Barrett 2, Ashton 2, Vaealiki, Richards, Barrett, Goulding, Ashton
Goals: Richards 7

Wakefield: (4) 10
Tries: Jeffries, Demetriou
Goals: Rooney

Wigan: Ashton, Calderwood, Bailey, Vaealiki, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Millard, Paleaaesina, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: Higham, Prescott, Hansen, Goulding.

Wakefield: Blaymire, Pryce, Demetriou, Henderson, Fox, Rooney, Jeffries, Watene, P. March, Moore, Catic, Elima, MacGillivray.
Replacements: Atkins, Bibey, Latu, Ferres.

Referee: Phil Bentham (Castleford)
Att: 14,108

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article Noble hails Warriors trio

Article Wigan tame Wildcats


Wigan tame Wildcats
Sat April 21, 2007
Source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Wigan were convincing winners on Friday night at the JJB Stadium with a 44-10 success against the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

The two points takes the Warriors back up to fourth and provided Wigan with their second home win of the season. The game was won with two quick Trent Barrett tries after half time as Wigan opened up a 22 point advantage. The performance and result was just what was required and marked a year in charge for Head Coach Brian Noble.

It was a great start with both sides willing to throw the ball around but it was who Wigan were under pressure early doors, Hock losing possession 30 metres from his own line, Wakefield with three sets, the Warriors defence held firm.

At the other end the home side opened the scoring with a Richard's penalty on 13 minutes. Just a minute later and the Warriors were in for their first try. Ashton away down the left and he had David Vaealiki in support and the centre was able to race away from the cover defence. Richard's hit the extras, 8-0.

Wakefield hit back on 24 minutes, Demetriou held just short of the line and Ben Jeffries was able to gather from acting half back from close range to dive over. Rooney missed the conversion, 8-4.

On 32 minutes Wigan got their second try, a move which started deep inside the Warriors half. Calderwood break and Pat Richards was away only to be caught by the Wildcats full back Blaymire. Wakefield were still stretched and from the play the ball, Ashton and Richards combined again, this time Richards was away for the four points. He added the conversion to make it 14-4.

It took Brian Noble's side just over a minute after the interval to cross for the third try of the night. Higham, Ashton, Bailey and Barrett with a sweeping move down the right and Barrett was on hand to score from an inside pass from Bailey. Richard's goal made it 20-4.

On 47 minutes Barrett was in again, this time after the Wildcats had knocked on close to their line. The Warriors stand off away from the tackle to touch down under the sticks. Pat Richard's goal extended the Wigan lead to 26-4.

Wigan had the game won just after the hour mark. Quick hands from Barrett and Bailey and young Darrell Goulding was able to squeeze in for a try in the corner. Richards added a great conversion, 32-4.

On 67 minutes Goulding turned provider with an inside pass to Chris Ashton for Wigan's sixth try. Richards seventh goal made it 38-4.

Jason Demetriou scored nothing more than a consolation try for the Wildcats with five minutes left, 38-10, with Jeffries conversion.

Wigan were not done as Ashton raced away from inside his own half for his second try of the evening under the posts, again Barrett involved. Richards was spot on once more with the conversion and it finished 44-10.

A great win and Wigan back on course after the Huddersfield result.

Report source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Article: Noble looks back on Wakefield win

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