Wigan on song at wet Wembley
WIGAN splattered their way to victory in an error-strewn Tetley’s Challenge Cup final at a soggy Wembley.
Persistent rain which doused the pitch from early morning contributed to the lowestscoring final for 33 years.
The Black and Whites became the first team to be nilled in a final since Wigan beat St Helens 27-0 in 1989.
The Warriors’ superior handling betrayed the conditions and they enjoyed a 60-40 share of possession in the first half yet led only 6-0 courtesy of Thornley’s 21stminute try.
Thornley maintained his composure to pick up an awkward pass by his bootlaces and eluded the attempted tackle of former Wigan second rower Danny Tickle to touch down wide out. Pat Richards added the conversion, the first of four successful kicks.
Smith was narrowly wide with a drop-goal attempt on the stroke of half-time but the Warriors extended their lead two minutes into the second half when Richards put over a penalty for a late tackle by Richard Whiting.
Hull’s best chance came on 49 minutes when Shaul broke out of defence and sprinted 70 metres but lost the ball in the tackle.
Wigan were forced into a re-shuffle when centre Darrell Goulding was knocked out in an attempted tackle on Kirk Yeaman that went badly wrong but the Warriors stretched their lead with a second penalty from Richards, this time for an ugly spear tackle by Aaron Heremaia on O’Loughlin.
Hull produced a spirited late rally but Wigan deservedly had the final say when Sam Tomkins touched down in the last minute.
Wigan coach Shaun Wane said after the game: “We were in control, all credit to the players. The conditions were poor and credit to Hull, they had a real dig, but today was our day.”