Warriors in tight finish

WIGAN ending up holding on to a 23-22 win after a comfortable start against Wakefield at Headingley.

The Warriors, who went into lockdown in March on top of Super League, were heading for a straightforward victory when Jake Bibby scored his first try for the club to put them 22-6 up after 50 minutes.

But three tries in the last 15 minutes from Wakefield wingers Tom Johnstone, courtesy of a miraculous one-handed put-down, and Liam Kay, on his return to the club from Toronto Wolfpack, ensured a tense finale.

The difference was a drop goal four minutes from the end by 20-year-old half-back Harry Smith, with Wakefield captain Jacob Miller missing with a similar effort in the last minute that would have sent the game into extra time.

Already without front rowers Ben Flower, Ollie Partington and Tony Clubb through injury and suspension, Wigan lost skipper Sean O’Loughlin in the captain’s run with a hamstring strain and scrum-half Thomas Leuluai went off early in the game after rolling his ankle.

That meant an early introduction for Smith while Zak Hardaker switched to his customary full-back role when Bevan French sustained a knock to his back and was forced onto the wing.

It was Hardaker, on his 200th Super League appearance, who helped Wigan make a dream start, scoring one try and creating another as he rolled back the years – to the delight of coach Adrian Lam. “Zak was outstanding today,” he said. “It a little bit tense towards the end but it felt pretty safe.”