Warrington Wolves 25 Wigan Warriors 12

ANY win against Wigan is pleasing, no matter how it is achieved.

This latest one, being a fifth win in six games and ending a sequence of three successive losses against their fierce rivals, continues to lay a foundation for a successful year.

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Warrington Guardian:

However, Steve Price has highlighted how his side could have made things a little easier for themselves after not capitalising on an 18-0 lead and he is right to strive for better.

Warrington Guardian:



 

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Tries from Jake Mamo, Stefan Ratchford and Josh Charnley had put The Wire in command. Pictures: Mike Boden

Wigan got the score back to 18-12 in the second half when The Wire lost the services of their general Blake Austin for a ‘head test’ and by not cashing in earlier in the game it could easily have cost them two points.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Thankfully, Dec Patton was switched on to land a drop-goal which kept the visitors at arm’s length and proved to be all the more important when Wolves had to hold on in the last six minutes with 11 men against 12 – Ben Thaler deciding the ‘Bad Blood’ had been taken too far in a brawl.

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Guardian:

Ben Westwood, sent off following the brawl while teammate Dec Patton and Wigan's Willie Isa were sin-binned. Pictures: Mike Boden

But it was similar at Huddersfield last month, a 16-0 lead inside 33 minutes was clawed back to 16-12 in the second half and it is a trend The Wire need to escape.

It is not necessarily about suddenly becoming more expansive and taking extra chances to pull away further, but more about staying sharp and aware, being smart and going for the jugular when moments present.

With all that said, it was pleasing that Wire found a way to survive after George Williams found some freedom and became influential in sparking Wigan into life.

They were undoubtedly rattled by Austin’s temporary exit and the need for four positional changes to compensate his loss, including the outstanding Stefan Ratchford moving from full-back to stand-off.

Warrington Guardian:

Dan Sarginson was shown a yellow card for a high tackle at that point but The Wire became disjointed and could not make the extra man tell, the best chance fell to Ryan Atkins from a Ratchford high kick but he spilled the ball with the try line begging.

Shuffling around is a necessity if you lose a half-back but have four big men on the bench.

It seems clear that Wire have some work to do in making sure any such future adjustments click better.

Through it all 80-minute hooker Daryl Clark was outstanding, while Jason Clark, Jack Hughes and Mike Cooper were a tower of strength in support.

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