Round 26
Wigan Warriors 34 d. Hull FC 22

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

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

Wigan end Hull FC's slim finals chances to claim home tie
Sun September 6, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Amos Roberts and George Carmont scored two tries each as Wigan Warriors saw off Hull FC to claim a home tie in the engage Super League play-offs.

The Warriors were forced to dig deep by a Hull side fighting hard to preserve their own faint top-eight hopes, but Sam Tomkins and Iafeta Paleaaesina ended their post-season aspirations late on.

Hull had briefly led through former Wigan forward Danny Tickle as the game came to life after 30 scoreless minutes, but the Warriors just proved too strong.

Second-half tries from Richard Horne, Tom Briscoe and Craig Hall proved mere consolation as Wigan's eighth win in nine games left Hull with just pride to play for next week.

Hull looked like they had a point to prove as they made the early running, and Richard Horne forced Pat Richards to concede two early drop-outs.

Yet it was from a Richard Horne pass that Wigan enjoyed their first opportunity as Carmont intercepted deep inside his own half and broke clear.

Full-back Richard Whiting got back to tackle, and Hull survived another scare soon afterwards as Sean O'Loughlin dropped a Harrison Hansen pass when clean through.

Wigan were soon forced back on the defensive as Andy Coley was sin-binned with just seven minutes gone for trying to slow down a restart.

Hull failed to make the most of their numerical advantage, however, and it needed a good tackle by Graeme Horne to deny Joel Tomkins the first Wigan try.

Sam Tomkins then set Martin Gleeson away, but Mark Calderwood and Josh Cordoba broke up the attack.

Hall twice got clear for Hull down the left, and Gareth Raynor went over only to be pulled back for a knock-on in the build-up.

Wigan claimed the first points after half-an-hour as O'Loughlin made an arcing run to the right touchline and brilliantly flicked a pass inside for Roberts.

Hull responded immediately as Sam Moa pounced on a loose ball to gain possession, and Richard Horne threaded a fine kick through for Tickle to slide over.

Tickle, playing only after a suspension was overturned this week, added the conversion - but Wigan got back in front as Carmont gathered a Sam Tomkins kick. Richards kicked the first of five goals to give Wigan a 10-6 lead at half-time.

Wigan took a firm grip on the contest as Carmont and Roberts doubled their try tallies within five minutes of the restart.

Carmont picked off a Tickle pass to race over unchallenged from 40 metres, before Roberts raced on to a Mark Flanagan pass and brushed off Whiting to touch down.

Hull managed to stem the flow and gained a measure of control after introducing their much-maligned scrum-half Chris Thorman off the bench before the hour.

They pulled a try back on 63 minutes as a forceful run by Ewan Dowes put Richard Horne through by the posts, and Tickle converted.

Yet Wigan raised the tempo to ensure there would be no fightback as Sam Tomkins wriggled his way through two tackles and ducked under another to score.

Paleaaesina then barged his way through in typical fashion to kill off the game, although there was still time for Hall to score and convert a late breakaway.

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