Super League Round-up – Wigan extend their lead at the top
Wigan silenced their critics on Friday night with a resounding 46-0 win over Hull FC at the KC Stadium to sustain their place at the top of Super League.
Many pundits had started to question their title ambitions following the home defeat to Warrington last weekend, but a display full of pace, power and a sprinkling of flair quashed those doubts.
Hull, who had won seven of their last nine games beforehand, had no answer to the Black and Whites enterprising play with winger Pat Richards grabbing the headlines by scoring a hat-trick of tries and kicking seven goals. Two tries each from Darrell Goulding and Sam Tonkins, and a magnificent solo effort from Darren Goulding completed the scoring for the free-flowing visitors.
Stand-in coach Shaun Wane, who took charge whilst Michael Maguire was in Australia owing to a family illness, was delighted with his side’s performance.
“I'm really pleased with the win,” he told the BBC.
“This week has been a tough week. Last week was a hard result to take but the lads responded.
"We've got some really strong characters in the team and it's been a real flogging for some of the players. They responded really well. We've had two days in Hull and I could just tell in the team hotel that they were ready to rip in and they've done that today.”
The win sees Wigan open up a four-point gap over second-placed Warrington who suffered a surprising defeat against bottom club Catalan Dragons. The French outfit turned the form guide on its head as they added the Wolves to their list of scalps that includes St Helens and Huddersfield this season. The triumph also provided the Dragons with a welcome boost ahead of their Challenge Cup semi-final with the same opposition in two weeks.
The scores were locked at 16-16 at half time but tries from Dane Carlaw and Steven Bell saw the Catalans move clear. Brent Sherwin's 64th minute drop-goal then edged the home side 29-22 ahead and although a Lee Briers converted try ensured a tense finale the Dragons held on for a 29-28 victory.
Warrington coach Tony Smith believes that the mentality of his troops won’t be affected despite losing to a side that have only won five games all season.
"It doesn't matter who beats us, we won't sulk about it, we get ready for our next game and we'll turn our attention to Saints after we review this game” he told the BBC.
"We'll go through the process in the same way as if we had won tonight. I'm sure the boys will be ready for Saints next week."
Last year’s Super League finalists Leeds Rhinos and St Helens both picked up vital wins as they continued their surge towards the top two. Leeds came back from being 12-4 against Salford to win 31-22 thanks to a scintillating second half performance, whilst St Helens tore through an injury ravaged Wakefield at Belle Vue, coming out on top 50-6. Elsewhere there were home wins for Hull KR, who beat Bradford 49-24, Crusaders who left it late to see off Castleford 30-24, and Huddersfield who smashed Harlequins 40-4.
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