Result from the DW Stadium
Wigan Warriors 42
T - Finch 2, Hock, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, S Tomkins
G - Richards 7
London Broncos 30
T - Witt 2, Robertson, Sarginson, Melling,
G - Witt 5
Match Report
Wigan got back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon with a 42-30 success over the London Broncos at the DW Stadium in the Stobart Super League. After last week's shock loss to Widnes the Warriors ran in seven tries with a brace for Brett Finch, Hock, Goulding, Carmont, Richards and Sam Tomkins were the other home try scorers, Richards added seven from seven goals.
London made a real fight of it leading 6-18 at one stage before a Warriors revival before the break saw the teams turn round at 24-18 in favour of Shaun Wane's men. In the second half the Warriors stepped on the gas to run out more comfortable winners than it had looked at one stage.
Wigan welcomed back to the side Sam Tomkins, Pat Richards, Thomas Leuluai and Sean O'Loughlin who were all rested last week at Widnes. Paul Prescott made his first start of the season after a couple of outings with the Scorpions, centre George Carmont also returned following a broken thumb which has seen him miss the last four games. The Broncos made one change from the team that defeated Castleford last time out with Jamie O'Callaghan replacing former Warrior Liam Colbon.
It was the Broncos with the early pressure, Howell held up over the line on his back on 3 minutes and sixty seconds later Michael Witt managed to squeeze in out wide as both he and Craig Gower looked to cause problems close to the try line, Witt added the extras to give London a 0-6 lead.
Wigan responded on 11 minutes with a try, the Warriors keeping the ball alive on the final tackle and Brett Finch stepped and found a huge hole in the London defence under the posts, Richards added the goal, 6 all.
The Warriors were denied a second try through Sam Tomkins on 16 minutes, James Child blowing up for off side following a Richards high kick back inside.
Within a minute though at the other end Michael Robertson was in for London's second try, Dorn with the pass and the winger in despite close attention from both Tomkins and Charnley on the left hand edge, Witt added a superb goal to make it 6-12.
The cherry and whites close to their second try on 23 minutes, Carmont to Richards but the winger just in touch as he looked to ground the ball in the far corner.
On 28 minutes London grabbed their third try of the game, Wigan penalised a couple of times and London got themselves up the field, Dorn involved and Dan Sarginson stepping inside two defenders for the try. Witt made it three from three, 6-18.
It was the home side who needed the next try and they got it on 31 minutes, a huge Richards penalty set up Wigan deep inside the London half, Hock stretching over for the four points, Richards goal, 12-18.
On 35, Wigan were in again, good handling and a great pass from Lima to Goulding and the centre across the whitewash for Wigan's third try of the afternoon, Richards conversion levelled the game at 18 all.
Just as it looked like that would be the score at the interval there then came some Sam Tomkins magic in midfield, the full back proving unstoppable, causing chaos in the London defence before the ball was sent left and George Carmont with the try, Richards hit the extras and from being 6-18 down Wigan were 24-18 to the good at the break.
It took the Warriors just two minutes into the second half for their fifth try of the game, Hock with the of load to send in Richards who added the goal and Wigan 30-18 to the good.
London were not done and within a couple of minutes good work by Gower sent former Wigan player Chris Melling in for a try which Witt converted, 30-24.
Clever play by Brett Finch on 56 minutes, the stand off dummied one way then the other to open up the London defence for his second try of the game and Wigan's sixth try of the afternoon, Richards with his sixth goal, 36-24.
London were caught cold from a quick Charnley penalty tap and Sam Tomkins raced from inside in his own half unopposed for the try, no-one within touching distance of him, Richards added the extras and Wigan were looking comfortable now at 42-24.
Witt grabbed an interception try on 72 minutes for London and added the conversion to make it 42-30 but the Warriors still held a two score advantage.
So a win for Wigan to keep the pressure on the sides around them at the top of the table and a huge mouth watering home game with Warrington Wolves to look forward to here at the DW in just 5 days time.
Team News
Wigan Warriors - Sam Tomkins, Josh Charnley, Darrell Goulding, George Carmont, Pat Richards, Brett Finch, Thomas Leuluai, Paul Prescott, Michael McIlorum, Epalahame Lauaki, Harrison Hansen, Gareth Hock, Sean O'Loughlin
Replacements - Chris Tuson, Liam Farrell, Jeff Lima, Ben Flower
London Broncos - Luke Dorn, Michael Robertson, David Howell, Dan Sarginson, Jamie O'Callaghan, Michael Witt, Craig Gower, Antonio Kaufusi, Chad Randall, Tony Clubb, Matt Cook, Jason Golden, Chris Bailey
Replacements - Mark Bryant, Julien Rinaldi, Karl Temata, Chris Melling
Referee - James Child