Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WANE: I WANTED TO PUNCH JOE
WIGAN coach Shaun Wane admitted he wanted to punch winger Joe Burgess after the Warriors almost threw away a Challenge Cup semi-final place in a remarkable finale.
Wane’s side had led for the majority of an exciting, if scrappy, contest when home halfback Kurt Gidley touched down to close the gap to a point, with two minutes remaining.
Burgess, who had earlier scored two tries, then booted the kick-off out to gift the Wolves a penalty on halfway.
Stefan Ratchford stepped up, despite the fact that Declan Patton had kicked five from five earlier, but pulled his attempt wide.
Even then, the drama was not over as Patton dragged a last-second drop goal attempt agonisingly close.
Asked what he felt like when Burgess overhit his kick-off, Wane responded: “Running on to the pitch and punching him. You can’t do that at this level. But we deserved to win. Credit to Warrington, they really pushed us.” Warrington coach Tony Smith refused to put any blame on Patton or Ratchford, saying: “Stef has the bigger kick and he practises from there.”
The frantic finale typified the whole game.
The biggest gap between the two was 12 points early on, as Burgess provided two smart finishes.
But the Wolves responded with two replicas of their own Ryan Atkins scoring from kicks.
Wigan edged ahead again when Liam Marshall escaped Atkins and Ratchford, but Warrington hit back through sub Andre Savelio.
Patton’s penalty drew the teams level, before the impressive John Bateman charged over and a Sam Tomkins drop goal made the gap seven.
But when Gidley darted over from close range and Patton added his fifth successful kick, the stage was set for the late drama.