Mars landing
LIAM CASHES IN ON LUCKY LATE BREAK TO END WARRIORS’ HELL
LIAM MARSHALL finally brought an end to Wigan’s recent crisis of confidence with a dramatic late winner.
The Warriors had lost all three games since coach Shaun Wane dropped the bombshell that he is leaving at the end of the season.
And at times they looked like letting this game slip away to a Hull side desperate for a win to boost their top-four hopes.
Injury-hit Hull led with just nine minutes to go before Sam Tomkins levelled the scores with a neat
30-metre penalty.
As the minutes ticked down, Tomkins then went for a drop goal – which cannoned back off the crossbar of the posts.
Wigan were first to react and veteran Sean O’Loughlin spun the ball wide for winger Marshall to dive over to seal a win that strengthens their hold on second spot.
They then defended like their lives depended on it for the final five minutes in the face of some gutsy Hull attacks.
With so much at stake for both clubs, it was inevitable that nerves – and mistakes – were on show.
Dan Sarginson settled the Warriors’ anxiety with a
23rd-minute try that was created moments earlier at the other end of the field.
Albert Kelly’s attempt to set up a Hull try was thwarted when George Williams caught his chip kick through. The England half-back broke clear before handing on to speedster Marshall who was eventually hauled down short of the line by Hull full-back Jamie Shaul.
But the break meant Wigan had the wind in their sails and Williams promptly put in a cross-field kick for Sarginson to finish off.
Deadly Tomkins added the conversion and kicked a penalty but their lead was cut to two points shortly before half-time.
This time Kelly’s kick found its target in the burly shape of United States winger Bureta Faraimo, who brushed away two Wigan tackles to touch down.
The young Hull star doubled his tally early in the second half thanks to a beauty of a pass from new England recruit Jake Connor.
But former Huddersfield star Connor – who hopes to make his international debut against New Zealand in Denver next Saturday – missed the conversion to leave them just two points ahead. Wigan struggled to wrestle back the advantage and had an effort from Marshall disallowed for a forward pass from Oliver Gildart.
With just 10 minutes remaining Tomkins kicked a penalty to level the scores and set up that nerve-wrangling finish.
Marshall had the last word, though, to leave fifth-placed Hull looking over their shoulders at Chris Chester’s Wakefield, who are now just four points behind them in the Super League table.