Rylands Sharks A 18 Wigan Bulldogs 40

RYLANDS Sharks A fell to a heavy defeat against a well-drilled Wigan Bulldogs side on Saturday, their third defeat in four this season.

The visitors came into the game with two wins out of three and they made the stronger start, with Matt Hewlett crossing for the game’s first try.

Bulldogs were completely dominant in the first half and further tries came from Jake Hunt, Ashley Deburgh, Paul Courtney and Matt Madeley.

Hewlett also added three conversions, with the hosts’ only reply coming when Sam Hughes crossed after 24 minutes for a try converted by Hayden Gaghan.

This gave the visitors a 20-point lead at the break and they never looked like surrendering that advantage, with Hewlett stretching the lead with a penalty at the start of the second half.

Rylands’ play did improve, though, and they closed the gap when Mitch McJay crossed on 53 minutes, with Gaghan adding the conversion.

Steve Kenyon’s try restored Bulldogs’ 22-point lead but Sharks hit back again as Steve Gamble crossed, with Gaghan maintaining his 100% record with the boot.

However, Wigan reaffirmed their dominance as Jordan Baybutt crossed for two unconverted scores late on to seal a disappointing day for Sharks, who face Pilkington Recs A this weekend.

Rylands: Holliday; Inman, Wright, Gaghan, Clancy; Manfredi, Walsh; Fretwell, Hughes, Morley, Smith, Gamble, McJay. Subs: Meacock, Paget, McArdle, Palin