Wigan catch Hull out with freakish score

Wigan moved to within six points of Super League leaders St Helens by defeating Hull FC 14-10 at the KCOM Stadium. In a bizarre finale, Wigan went for a dropped goal to win the game, but when the ball rebounded off the crossbar, they caught Hull napping to score a try and end their three-game losing streak.

Hull missed out on the chance to return to the top four after coming from 8-0 down to lead 10-8 with 10 minutes to play.

After a frantic first quarter, the Warriors eventually took the lead in the 25th minute. A Hull attack broke down 10 metres from the Wigan line, with George Williams intercepting a pass and releasing Liam Marshall to take the visitors deep into Hull territory.

In the next play, Williams’ kick was grounded by Dan Sarginson just before Hakim Miloudi pushed him out of play. Sam Tomkins made it 6-0 with the conversion. Tomkins was again on target on the half-hour mark when he added a penalty to make it 8-0.

When Hull’s attack clicked, it worked a treat as Bureta Faraimo powered his way through two Wigan defenders to score after having the presence of mind to ground the ball under the posts, making the conversion easier. Jake Connor, called up for England’s mid-season Test against New Zealand in Denver, obliged to make it 8-6 just before half-time.

Hull started the second half in the same manner they ended the first. A flowing move from left to right was finished in style by Faraimo to score his 11th in the league this season. For the first time in the game, Hull were in front at 10-8.

Wigan came close to regaining the lead with 12 minutes remaining but a forward pass from Oliver Gildart to Marshall ruled out the winger’s try. However, on the next play Jack Logan lost possession of the ball in a tackle, gifting Wigan a short field to play with.

Hull’s problems mounted when they conceded a penalty 21 metres out and in front of the posts. Tomkins made no mistake and drew the sides level at 1010 with 10 minutes to play.

In a bizarre twist, Tomkins’ dropped goal rebounded off the crossbar and into the arms of Sean O’Loughlin, who did not panic. Wigan had numbers outside on their left wing, where Marshall glided over the line to clinch the two points for the Warriors, who were able to run the clock down.