Wigan Warriors 6 Warrington Wolves 10, Magic Weekend Verdict

After a thrilling Saturday that saw two golden-point finishes, tries flowing and stunning fightbacks, a game featuring only three scores – none of which came in the second half – would have slowed pulses somewhat.

However, Warrington Wolves will not care one little bit about that.

From their perspective, all that will matter to them is that their team bus pulled out of St James’ Park carrying two league points.

Action from The Wire's Magic Weekend win over Wigan Warriors. Pictures by SWPix.com

The way in which they did it as well may just hearten them as the play-offs loom large.

It was not quite the kind of expansive, free-flowing display supporters always want to see, but it contained heaps of the characteristics you need to negotiate the end-of-season shake-up.

High intensity, a good completion rate, in-your-face defence and rock-solid discipline – all so important and all on display on Tyneside.

Indeed, this was very much akin to the home win over the same opponents several weeks ago.

Action from The Wire's Magic Weekend win over Wigan Warriors. Pictures by SWPix.com

In that game as in this, Wigan had a lot of the ball but The Wire’s resolve and application towards keeping them out was unwavering.

So much so that, a desperate last-second scramble aside, the Warriors never really looked like clawing back the four-point half-time deficit.

Of course, Wigan must take some of the blame for some systematic failings with ball in hand, but Warrington deserve their fair share of credit.

And leading from the front, as he has done so often down the years, was Mike Cooper.

Action from The Wire's Magic Weekend win over Wigan Warriors. Pictures by SWPix.com

He showed just how badly missed he was in the previous week’s loss to St Helens with a virtuoso display, backed up by his partner-in-crime Chris Hill and ably supported through the middle by Joe Philbin, Robbie Mulhern and Sitaleki Akauola.

Danny Walker too deserves immense credit – Daryl Clark’s shoes are not easily filled but he is getting more adept at doing so by the game.

The partnership between George Williams and Gareth Widdop is not yet firing on all cylinders but it is improving, with the former’s try and celebration in front of the Wigan fans who used to adore him an iconic moment that will not be forgotten in a hurry.

Action from The Wire's Magic Weekend win over Wigan Warriors. Pictures by SWPix.com

Action from The Wire's Magic Weekend win over Wigan Warriors. Pictures by SWPix.com

Steve Price says he wants more of a “hard edge” from his side running into the play-offs and on this evidence, it is building.

With third place now sewn up, the next two games provide the perfect opportunity to continue that growth while tidying up a few things with the ball.

INTERESTING NOTES:

. Wire’s first win at St James’ Park at the fifth attempt

. Third victory in as many games against Wigan in 2021

Action from The Wire's Magic Weekend win over Wigan Warriors. Pictures by SWPix.com

Action from The Wire's Magic Weekend win over Wigan Warriors. Pictures by SWPix.com

MATCH FACTS:

Super League, Round 23

Sunday, September 5, 2021

Wigan Warriors…6 Warrington Wolves…10

Warriors: Zak Hardaker; Liam Marshall, Liam Farrell, Jake Bibby, Sam Halsall; Jackson Hastings, Harry Smith; Brad Singleton, Joe Shorrocks, Oliver Partington, Kai Pearce-Paul, John Bateman, Morgan Smithies. Subs: Liam Byrne, Ethan Havard, Joe Bullock, Sam Powell

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Josh Charnley, Jake Mamo, Toby King, Josh Thewlis; George Williams, Gareth Widdop; Chris Hill, Danny Walker, Mike Cooper, Jack Hughes, Ben Currie, Joe Philbin. Subs: Jason Clark, Ellis Longstaff, Robbie Mulhern, Sitaleki Akauola

Scoring: Thewlis try, 1min, 0-4; Williams try, 27mins, Ratchford goal, 0-10; Havard try, 40mins, Smith goal, 6-10.

Penalties: Warriors 2 Wolves 4

Referee: James Child

Attendance: 25,762 (Magic Weekend, Day Two)

Top Man: VOTE HERE