TONY Smith was rightly proud of his players’ efforts in another epic battle with fiercest rivals Wigan.

Finishing the game strongly, Wolves came within a whisker of snatching victory that would have secured them a top-three finish for the fifth year in a row.

But Stefan Ratchford was inches behind Wigan full back Matty Bow - en in reaching a last-ditch grubber kick from Richie Myler in the final play of a riproaring and brutal en - counter at the DW Stadium.

Both players deserved a glorious finish, as did the outstanding Matty Russell against his former club and the hard-working Trent Waterhouse in his last Super League game in primrose and blue.

Myler, finding form after an injury-troubled year, helped create two tries for Joel Monaghan and scored one himself as Wolves established an 18-4 half-time lead, while Ratchford’s goal-kicking and defensive work were of the highest standard against niggly opponents who were allowed to get away with spoiling tactics and slowing play-the-balls.

Credit Warrington for still be - ing in the hunt in such a draining contest, considering they finished the game with only one substitute to rotate after losing Ben Harrison (knee ligaments) at half time, Chris Bridge (ankle) midway through the second half and James Laithwaite (whiplash) four minutes from time.

Wigan leaned on their Grand Final winning experience last October, believing they could overcome the similar interval deficit and set - ting their stall out accordingly.

Wolves were pegged back by a superior long kicking game and bully-like defence. Well-worked tries were conceded on each flank as Wigan got on a roll and cut the gap to 18-12 within 13 minutes of the second half.

This time, unlike 11 months ago, Smith’s men did turn the tide for a spell and a Ratchford penalty left Wigan with plenty of work to do.

Wolves were looking threatening when disaster struck, Michael Monaghan’s slow-looping pass be - ing intercepted by England winger Charnley and his 80m try handed momentum back to Wigan.

They got the sniff of victory and Blake Green, just like at Old Trafford, scored the decisive try that Wolves could not quite counter with their best efforts late on.

INTERESTING NOTES

Wolves’ first loss at Wigan since 2009

Wigan’s first Super League double over Wolves since 2003

Joel Monaghan’s two tries leave him as Super League’s top try scorer this year. His 32 tries in total so far is his best return in one season

MATCH FACTS


Super League Round 27, Thursday, September 11, 2014
 

Wigan Warriors...24 Warrington Wolves...20

Wigan: Matty Bowen; Josh Charnley, Anthony Gelling, Dan Sarginson, Joe Burgess; Blake Green, Matty Smith; Ben Flower, Michael McIlorum, Dom Crosby, Joel Tomkins, Liam Farrell, Sean O’Loughlin. Subs: Sam Powell, Eddy Pettybourne, Tony Clubb, John Bateman.

Wolves: Matty Russell; Joel Monaghan, Stefan Ratchford, Chris Bridge, Rhys Evans; Gareth O’Brien, Richie Myler; Chris Hill, Michael Monaghan, Roy Asotasi, James Laithwaite, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Harrison. Subs: Micky Higham, Paul Wood, Ben Currie, Anthony England.

Scoring:Burgess try, 6mins, 4-0; Joel Monaghan try, 27mins, Ratchford goal, 4-6; Myler try, 36mins, Ratchford goal, 4-12; Joel Monaghan try, 40+mins, Ratchford goal, 4-18; Burgess try, 45mins, 8-18; Charnley try, 53mins, 12-18; Ratchford penalty goal, 62mins, 12-20; Charnley try, 66mins, Smith goal, 18-20; Green try, 70mins, Smith goal, 24-20.

Referee: Ben Thaler

Penalties: Warriors 4 Wolves 4

Sin bin: Pettybourne, Wood 56mins

Attendance:15,656

Top Man: Matty Russell