FALLEN OFF CLIFF EDGE

Leaders Wigan left stunned by Hull and inspirational Jake

Hull 14 Wigan 10

JAKE CLIFFORD led the way as gutsy Hull ended leaders Wigan’s six-match winning run.

The Australian scrum-half, 25, was to the fore as his side built up an early 14-0 lead – and then desperately hung on.

He created the opener for Darnell McIntosh, weaved over himself and added three goals.

It is the first time Tony Smith’s side have delivered back-to-back victories since February. But they had to defend hard in relentless rain as Wigan edged closer, winger Iain Thornley scoring two tries in his first Warriors appearance in 10 months.

At 14-10, Hull’s veteran hooker Danny Houghton came up with one crucial tackle – just as speedster Bevan French looked certain to go the length of the field.

But Hull, with ex-Castleford stand-off Jake Trueman making his debut after

10 months out, deserved the spoils. Brad Fash and Chris Satae showed the way up front.

Hull scored after just five minutes when winger McIntosh collected Clifford’s

deft chip for his third try of the season. Clifford converted and did so again when he dummied and stretched over on the last tackle in the 16th minute.

The ex-Newcastle Knights added a penalty and Hull looked in control with Wigan were in disarray. Miffed hooker Sam Powell had to desperately call for calm after their latest mistake, Brad O’Neill needlessly pushing a pass forward to Liam Farrell.

Matt Peet’s side coughed up plenty of ball before they finally got things right in the 38th minute. A slick move caught Hull cold and French slipped Thornley over for Harry Smith to convert.

That made it 14-6 at the interval and Thornley added his second just four minutes into the second period.

Hull full-back Davy Litten was caught out and some simple passing saw the winger finish off with ease.

Thornley should have had a third as Wigan pressed, but Jake Wardle opted to go himself and was denied.

Wigan kept going but kept erring, coughing up again in the last seconds after Trueman was yellow carded for a professional foul.