WIGAN WARRIORS 42 WARRINGTON WOLVES 0
DREW DARBYSHIRE, The Brick Community Stadium, Saturday

WIGAN completed an unbeaten season in the Reserves league, with a dominant victory over Warrington.

The Warriors followed up their Academy Grand Final success against the same side the previous weekend with another convincing win over their local rivals on home soil.

A youthful Wire side containing eight of the players to feature in that game struggled here to contain a more experienced Wigan outfit after the opening exchanges, with the hosts eventually running in nine tries.

Wigan made the perfect start after just three minutes when Evan Buckley produced a cut-out pass to send Dayon Sambou over in the corner. Josh Cartwright added the conversion from out wide to give the Warriors an early 6-0 lead.

The hosts doubled their advantage five minutes later as the ball was moved wide to Finlay Yeomans, who showed his strength to barge over. Cartwright again converted, putting Wigan 12-0 ahead.

Warrington managed to keep the Warriors out for the next 17 minutes, but Wigan eventually found a third try in the 25th minute.

Cartwright was involved again, this time assisting Abbas Miski, who finished well in the corner. Cartwright was unable to add the conversion as Wigan moved 16-0 ahead. That remained the score at half-time, with the Warriors firmly in control.

Wigan continued to dominate after the restart and Charlie Yeomans crossed out wide following another neat passing move.

Cartwright then got himself on the scoresheet in the 56th minute, wrestling his way over out wide for Wigan’s fifth try. His conversion attempt hit the post and bounced away.

Three minutes later, starting Warriors prop Sam Eseh was given his first breather after a strong stint through the middle.

Wigan were soon in again, with Cartwright scoring his second try of the afternoon in the 61st minute. He was unable to convert this time, but the hosts had moved into a 28-0 lead with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Warrington were unable to find a way back into the contest as Wigan continued to attack. Jack Purtill found Miski with a cut-out pass in the 72nd minute before Miski returned the favour to send Charlie Yeomans over for his second try. Miski took over the kicking duties but saw his effort strike the post and bounce away.

Purtill then played a key role again two minutes later, darting through a gap before finding the supporting Matty Halton, who crossed. Cartwright converted to make it 38-0.

The hosts completed the scoring in the 77th minute when Halton latched onto a grubber from Charlie Yeomans to score his second try. Cartwright missed the conversion, but it mattered little as Wigan completed a 42-0 victory.

GAMESTAR: Wigan prop Sam Eseh played big minutes through the middle and produced a number of strong carries.

GAMEBREAKER: Wigan were in control throughout, but Charlie Yeomans’ try early in the second half, which made it 20-0, put the game out of reach for Warrington.

MATCHFACTS

WARRIORS
1 Josh Cartwright
2 Abbas Miski
3 Jonny Vaughan
4 Finlay Yeomans
5 Dayon Sambou
6 Charlie Yeomans
7 Evan Buckley
8 Sam Eseh
9 Jack Purtill
10 Shea O’Connor
11 Kian McDermott
12 Lukas Mason
13 Finn McMillan
Subs (all used)
14 Tom Forber
15 Kalum Rathbone
20 Lucas Fetherston
25 Matthew Halton

Tries: Sambou (3), F Yeomans (8), Miski (25), C Yeomans (54, 72), Cartwright (56, 61), Halton (74, 77)
Goals: Cartwright 3/8, Miski 0/1

WOLVES
1 Tommy Rhodes
2 Jack Fallon
3 Oliver Bishop
4 James Duffy
5 Bailey Lund
6 Harry Pratt
7 Jack Pendlebury
8 Isaac Reid
9 Lucas Mulqueeney
10 Logan Raughter
11 Alfie Poles
12 James McGuire
13 Kian Stanton
Subs (all used)
14 Leyton Haddrell
15 Isaac Holdsworth
16 Brady Bottomley
17 Joe Bajer

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 16-0; 20-0, 24-0, 28-0, 32-0, 38-0, 42-0

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Warriors; Sam Eseh; Wolves; Bailey Lund

Half-time: 16-0
Referee: Lucas Seal