JOSH PERFECT
JOSH WOODS avenged Wigan’s Challenge Cup misery with a win that could prove crucial in the race for the top spots.
Warrington whitewashed the Warriors in the quarter-finals last month and were gunning for another plum win here.
But the home side – the only unbeaten side at home in Super League – were in no mood to act as fall guys again.
They left it agonisingly late, though, with Woods claiming the win with 23 seconds left.
Warrington had pulled level with a 77th-minute Josh Charnley try, outscoring Wigan by three tries to two.
But Woods killed them off with his dramatic winner to move Wigan four points clear of Warrington and strengthen their hold on second spot.
Tom Davies gave Wigan an early lead with his 13th try of the season, converted by Sam Tomkins.
But Warrington struck straight back when Toby King backed himself to go over instead of passing to Josh Charnley.
Bryson Goodwin missed the conversion and Stefan Ratchford blew a chance to put them ahead when he dropped a pass.
Wigan punished Wolves with a debut try from 18-year-old Liam Paisley.
Tomkins added the conversion for a 12-4 half-time lead but they found points hard to come by in the second half.
Lineham darted over and Charnley then set up the nerve-jangling finish. LEEDS legend Kevin Sinfield has been named the Rhinos’ new director of rugby. ADAM SWIFT roared back with a hat-trick as runaway Super League leaders St Helens cruised to their 11th win in a row.
Swift, making a rare appearance in the absence of England winger Tommy Makinson, completed his treble three minutes from time in only his second match since March.
Widnes look doomed to finish the regular season in bottom spot after their 13th successive defeat.
Saints were in control from the start and romped into a 20-0 interval lead with skipper James Roby also in rip-roaring form before going off temporarily with a head injury.
Roby’s 40m break set up the opening try for Zeb Taia before a weaving Jonny Lomax run sent Mark Percival over against his hometown club.
Swift rounded Stefan Marsh in sizzling style before Louie McCarthyScarsbrook crashed over just before the break.
Danny Craven was the pick of the Widnes side and deserved his try to make it 20-4 before Lomax created a touchdown for Theo Fages and Swift added two more.