Warrington fell to a fifth consecutive Super League defeat as they surrendered their grip on 2nd place after a dismal defeat to arch-rivals Wigan at the DW Stadium.
Steve Price once again shuffled his pack, restoring Tom Lineham, Toby King, Declan Patton, Daryl Clark and Mike Cooper to the starting 13. Stefan Ratchford continued at full back with Jake Mamo on the right-wing, while Matty Smith partnered Patton in the halves. Sitaleki Akauola was this week's choice to start at loose forward, while Harvey Livett kept his place in the second row. Jason Clark and Joe Philbin were back in but started on the bench, along with Ben Murdoch-Masila and Ben Westwood.
It was a fairly even and cagey opening to the game with neither side able to carve real openings, but Wigan were dominating proceedings in the forwards battle. The first real event of the match was an injury picked up by Bryson Goodwin, who was caught by Bevan French's accidental elbow. Goodwin was bleeding badly and had to have his head bandaged, and moments later the first try was scored, down Goodwin's side. Once again Wire's left edge was exposed and Lineham found himself drawn into the centre, with Zak Hardaker's pinpoint pass finding French out wide, and French touched down for his first Wigan try, with Goodwin unable to get back in time. Hardaker nailed a tough conversion for a 6-0 lead, which was extended a few moments later. From the restart, Wigan got themselves downfield from their first three tackles before George Williams got through a gap between Clark and Goodwin, before fooling Ratchford with a dummy to his outside. Ratchford failed to read Williams' intentions and the NRL-bound number six made his way to the line and scored. It was an easy conversion for Hardaker and out of nowhere, the score was suddenly 12-0.
A knock-on from Livett wasted a good chance for Wire, before a ludicrous penalty conceded by Smith gifted Wigan more field possession. Soon another try was scored after a messy series of events. Livett failed to complete his tackle on Hardaker on the fifth, and the former Castleford man's kick deflected off the legs of Ben Currie and bounced away. Goodwin, and then Lineham, didn't get hold of the ball and Hardaker had a walk-in in the corner after another missed tackle from Ratchford. The video referee confirmed the try and after another conversion it was 18-0. French looked like he was going to score another try for Wigan but an outstanding last-ditch tackle from Currie prevented the score from becoming any uglier. That was the final notable moment of an absolutely dreadful first-half, which was compounded by the news that Goodwin couldn't continue and as a result is now a doubt for the cup final next week. A change of structure saw Philbin, Westwood and Murdoch-Masila enter the fray, with Livett taking Goodwin's place at centre.
Immediately there was a bit more desire and fight in the Wire team after the break, with Philbin and Daryl Clark producing excellent carries. A great short ball from the latter got Patton through a gap and the half back looked like he had scored against Wigan for the second time this season, but he remarkably managed to lose the ball before getting it down. Patton was in again when he scampered to the line from dummy-half. This try was also ruled out by the video referee for double movement, but this was a very poor decision and the try should've stood. Still, the away team finally had some momentum. This was dented when Lineham conceded a stupid penalty for holding down, and Hardaker had no hesitation in going for the two and extending the lead to 20-0.
After collecting a short kick-off, Wire were in a good attacking position. This was ruined when Matty Smith knocked the ball on. Wigan's Oliver Gildart was sin-binned for a high tackle on Jake Mamo, who had to move to full back with Ratchford leaving the field with some leg complaints - another serious worry for next week. Wigan looked like they had scored again when French touched down after Lineham had inexplicably come charging off his line, but fortunately Hardaker's pass was forward. Finally Wire got themselves on the board with nine minutes remaining when Jason Clark's pass was neatly batted on by Livett into the hands of Lineham, who had the simple task of diving in the corner. Patton converted from out wide and the score was 20-6. This was how the game ended.
So, a fifth consecutive defeat, only ahead of Hull and Wigan on points difference, with Salford and Castleford also now breathing down our necks. How have we gone from top of the league after nine games to now not being certain of a playoff place? Our form is diabolical and our tactics and style of play are terrible - no invention, creativity and very little passing of the ball. I can't say I'm excited at the prospect of Wembley next week - particularly as Blake Austin, Jack Hughes, Josh Charnley, Stefan Ratchford, Bryson Goodwin and Ben Westwood are all doubts. Utter tripe.
It's always our year.
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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