09/03/2007

Wigan Edge Vital Win Over Quins

Full Time from the JJB Stadium

Wigan Warriors 16
T - Withers, Vaealiki
G - Richards 4

Harlequins RL 12
T - Heckenberg, Hill
G - Sykes, Paul

Match Report

A real arm wrestle at the JJB Stadium on Friday night saw the Warriors pick up two vital Super League points against the Harlequins.

Trent Barrett returned to the side after missing the Hull KR game with a calf injury.Chris Ashton was named 18th man.

Wigan Warriors took the lead on 6 minutes courtesy of a Pat Richards penalty, 2-0.

On 15 minutes the first try of the night came as Quins prop Daniel Heckenberg gathered from close range for the four points, Paul Sykes added the extras to make it 2-6.

Wigan responded on 20 minutes a superb high kick from Barrett was taken by McLinden but in the tackle the ball was stolen by Michael Withers who was able to cross for the Warriors first try, the conversion was struck by Richards to make it 8-6.

The narrow lead was extended on 31 minutes, Quins caught offside and Richards converted a simple penalty, 10-6.

A clever O’Loughlin kick to the corner three minutes later looked to set the Warriors up into a great position as McLinden was bundled into touch. The visitors defence was able to just about cope, Calderwood close but the ball went dead.

Straight up to the other end and great footwork from Scott Hill and the Aussie was able to stretch over for the Harlequins second try on 38 minutes. Henry Paul this time hit the extras to make it 10-12.

On the hour mark some great individual skill by the returning Trent Barrett almost saw the stand off go in for a try at the corner. A clever dummy confused the Harlequins defence and only a last ditch tackle from Chris Melling stopped him from scoring the cherry and white’s second try of the evening.

On 65 minutes an important break through as the Warriors did cross for a try. Millard with a pass to Leuluai and against his former club he supplied a great ball wide to David Vaealiki and the Kiwi cut back inside for the four points. Leuluai completely splitting the Quins right hand side. Pat Richards struck a good conversion to edge the home side ahead 16-12.

Quins pressed late on but Wigan held on.

That was the last score of the game and Wigan had gained a hard fought victory against a battling Harlequins side. Another magnificent crowd cheered the Warriors home for the first success at the JJB Stadium in 2007.

Team News

Wigan Warriors

Trent Barrett made a return to the side after recovering from a calf injury, Chris Ashton was named as 18th man.

Michael Withers, Mark Calderwood, Phil Bailey, David Vaealiki, Pat Richards, Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai, Stuart Fielden, Shane Millard, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Gareth Hock, Bryan Fletcher, Sean O'Loughlin
Subs: Mickey Higham, Paul Prescott, Harrison Hansen, Danny Hill

Harlequins RL

Mark McLinden, Jon Wells, Paul Sykes, Tyrone Smith, Matt Gafa, Scott Hill, Danny Orr, Daniel Heckenberg, Chad Randall, David Mills, Jon Grayshon, Rob Purdham, Henry Paul
Subs: Julien Rinaldi, Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Karl Temata, Chris Melling

Referee - Ian Smith

Attendance- 14,971

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