RUGBY LEAGUE
Hull make their Marc
SAM TOMKINS scored a try and booted three conversions as Wigan celebrated their homecoming in style with a stunning comeback.
The Warriors trailed 16-0 before running in six tries without reply including a long-range effort from Tomkins.
The Warriors, who have played two of their opening four matches this season in Australia, were back at the DW Stadium for the first time in almost six months.
Wigan boss Shaun Wane and the club made a big effort to beat the freeze and get their pitch playable by bringing in industrial heaters.
But they must have wished they hadn’t bothered when they trailed 16-4 at half-time.
Chance
Matt Whitley fired Widnes ahead after only six minutes after a kick through by Tom Gilmore who tagged on the conversion.
Then Gilmore stretched the lead to 10-0 when Ben Flower was penalised. And Sam Tomkins’ frustration at spilling a high kick led to another Gilmore penalty.
Widnes were sharper in attack than Wigan who missed a chance when George Williams lost the ball over the line.
It proved costly with a thundering Sam Wilde burst ended with Stefan Marsh crossing and Gilmore landing the touchline conversion.
Wigan skipper Sean O’Loughlin and Williams combined for Burgess to cross for his fifth game in a row against Widnes and cut the interval gap to 16-4.
The outstanding Ryan Sutton barged over from Sam Powell’s short pass for Wigan’s second try before Thomas Leuluai burrowed through from dummy half.
Tomkins missed the conversion to leave Wigan trailing 16-14 but then Liam Farrell powered across to fire his side ahead for the first time.
And Tomkins wrapped up the win with a 70m solo special before a late Tom Davies effort completed the rout.