Round 3
Harlequins 18 l. Wigan Warriors 24

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Wigan win first match of the season
Sun March 1, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Shaun Ainscough crossed for two tries as Wigan Warriors eased the pressure on under-fire coach Brian Noble by coming from behind to defeat Harlequins RL at The Stoop.

Having begun the season with three straight defeats, Wigan were desperate to avoid their worst start to a campaign for 33 years.

But it required two late tries to down a spirited Quins side, who will rue a number of near misses.

Wigan's poor form was in evidence in a nervy opening 10 minutes which saw both Chris Melling and David Howell go close to crossing for the home side.

But slowly the visitors gained a foothold in the game and they took the lead with their first serious assault, George Carmont delaying his pass to send Ainscough scampering over in the corner.

Pat Richards converted, but Quins then rocked Wigan with two quick-fire tries that turned the game on its head.

Firstly, Howell's pass was fumbled by a number of players from both sides, allowing Chad Randall to pounce and drop over the line.

And, moments later, a searing Jon Wells break saw the ball spun wide for Matt Gafa to touch down and give the Londoners the lead.

Quins had further chances to increase their lead, but a combination of desperate defence and a loose final pass kept the scores close.

And the hosts were made to pay for their profligacy when within five minutes of the restart both Carmont and Phil Bailey had crossed in a whirlwind Wigan response.

The visitors were now in the ascendancy, and only scrambling Quins defence kept them in the game.

And that proved crucial as 15 minutes from time Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook bullied his way over from close range to tie the game, and then former Wigan man Melling dived over in the corner to give Quins the lead.

But Wigan were not to be denied, and after Amos Roberts scorched in for an interception try to regain the lead, Ainscough touched down in the dying seconds to secure victory.


McDermott not interested in Wigan's woe
Fri February 27, 2009
Source: www.quins.co.uk

Harlequins Rugby League head coach, Brian McDermott, has revealed he has no interest in Wigan's poor run of results, as the two teams prepare to meet on Saturday.

Wigan have lost all three of their opening Super League fixtures, but McDermott says he is fully focused on his team:

"I have zero opinion, nor do I particularly care what Wigan are going through at the moment, I'm concentrating on what my team are doing. I said at the beginning of the season that this year I want to win the Super League, and it doesn't matter who we're facing next or what they're going through, we're focused on our game."

Speaking on last weekend's warm-up game against Manly, he added:

"We had a great time playing Manly last weekend and the guys took a lot of confidence from the match. But once we were back in the dressing room the feeling was 'well done, now let's get our heads down for Wigan'."

Meanwhile, Daniel Heckenberg returns from a shoulder injury that he picked up in a pre-season match against London Skolars:

"Daniel Heckenberg returns to the squad this weekend. We probably could have put him on the field for Manly, but we wanted to be entirely sure his shoulder was fixed. He's now looking great and ready to return."

19 man squad for Wigan

14 T. Clubb
6 L. Dorn
3 M. Gafa
21 L. Gale
19 J. Golden
23 D. Heckenberg
4 D. Howell
15 B. Kaye
18 J. Mbu
10 L. McCarthy-Scarsbrook
1 C. Melling
7 D. Orr
13 R. Purdham
9 C. Randall
12 C. Robinson
5 W. Sharp
8 K. Temata
17 D. Ward
2 J. Wells

Injury News
Luke Williamson (hamstring)
Gareth Haggerty (knee)

Harlequins Rugby League v Wigan Warriors
The Twickenham Stoop
Saturday 28th February, kick-off 5.30pm

Tickets still available on 0871 527 1315

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