Wigan leave it late to go top of the Betfred Super League

Wigan left it late once again as a Harry Smith drop-goal two minutes from time handed the Warriors the victory against Hull FC to send them top of the Betfred Super League.

It was a quite brilliant 80 minutes which epitomised Rugby League with end-to-end action and drama right until the final hooter.

Wigan started off the better side and took the early advantage when Jai Field used Zak Hardaker’s run on the outside to distract the FC defence whilst he piled over the try line to give the Warriors the lead at the D.W.

They pushed for a second and Hardaker nearly had one of his own when he broke down the right and attempted to chase his own kick but could only force a goal-line drop-out for his troubles.

Wigan continued to dominate the opening quarter of the game but failed to add to their early try bar a penalty goal which Hardaker calmly converted.

But the half was split in two when the visitors really turned the game around in the final 20 minutes of the first half despite looking fairly unorganised in the early stages.

Jake Connor who has been in fine form so far in 2022 broke into the game and began to dictate the play as his side pushed with a persistent spell of sustained pressure, which finally paid off as Adam Swift pulled his side level with Luke Gale brilliantly adding the extras.

The half looked destined to end in a stalemate but less than 15 seconds before the hooter sounded, Danny Houghton sent his side into the break in the lead after taking a superb pass from Joey Lovodua before sliding over the try line.

The second-half started in similar fashion to the first, with Wigan on the front foot and they got another early try as Ethan Havard received a short pass from Oliver Partington before crashing over the line to get the Warriors back level with Hardaker added the extras.

But Hull fought their way back into the lead with just over 20 minutes to go when Chris Satae flew over despite the last-ditch efforts from Field to prevent FC taking the advantage once again.

The away fans were bouncing as the latest try was scored but the joy wasn’t to last very long as Jai Field danced through the Hull defence and scored yet again to add another one to his own ‘try of the season’ competition and again get the Warriors back into the contest.

As the game entered the last ten minutes, it was tense moments at the D.W. with no indication of which team would steal the points. Harry Smith and Luke Gale both attempted drop-goals but dropped short on both attempts.

However, two minutes from time, Harry Smith’s left-footed effort dropped just over the bar and between the sticks meaning the Warriors had 120 seconds to see out the victory over a strong Hull FC side.

And that they managed with plenty of game management and professionalism shown throughout the final seconds to see the result through to Matt Peet’s delight despite his side not being at their best.

Next up for Brett Hodgson’s side is a trip to Huddersfield Giants in the Challenge Cup quarter-final whilst Wigan also feature in the competition’s final eight with a trip to Wakefield Trinity.