WARRIORS HOMING IN
Wigan stay on course for top-two finish
Wigan 25 Wakefield 10
MORGAN ESCARE’S try took Wigan a step closer to a home semi-final as Wakefield paid for their indiscipline.
The French back showed terrific pace to finish a smart George Williams kick with 12 minutes remaining of a stop-start clash.
Escare touched down with Trinity reduced to 12 men for the second time in the game, full-back Scott Grix having needlessly been sin-binned for lifting in the tackle.
Despite victory, this was some way short of the impressive Warriors performance that dismantled rivals St Helens last week.
But Shaun Wane’s side have now won five in a row and look certain to finish in the top two as they bid to send off their rugby union-bound coach on a perfect high.
Wane named centre Dan Sarginson less than a week after the tragic death of his younger brother. A minute’s silence was held for Adam Sarginson, with a clearly emotional Wigan side gathered in a huddle.
They opened the scoring in the second minute, as Sam Tomkins’ cut-out pass gave Oliver Gildart enough room to provide a spectacular finish in the corner.
That was a rare highlight in a scrappy first half. Wigan extended their lead when Sam Powell twisted over from close range and would have wanted to build on that when Wakefield back-rower Matty Ashurst was sin-binned for a “crusher” tackle.
But it was the visitors who crossed as Tom Johnstone intercepted a Tommy Leuluai pass on his own line and won the 90-metre race to the other end of the field.
Tomkins made it a seven-point gap with a drop goal just before the break and a penalty soon after, when Chris Annakin was penalised for a high tackle.
But Trinity refused to lie down. Bill Tupou provided a smart finish out wide to make it 13-10.
The second yellow gave Wigan a late advantage and sub Escare was the quickest to react before Joe Greenwood sealed victory.