MATT Peet explained how his Wigan Warriors side were able to turn one of Warrington Wolves’ tactics against them on Friday night.

In the lead-up to the game, Wire boss Daryl Powell spoke about the importance of putting scrum-half Harry Smith under heavier kick pressure given the influence he had exerted on his side’s previous two defeats against the Warriors this year.

There was plenty of evidence of that but late in the first half, Smith dummied around James Harrison and Sam Kasiano as they rushed out to put him under pressure to create a huge overlap, which led to Jake Wardle putting Bevan French over for the critical equalising try.

“It was in their press how hard they’d worked on kick pressure, so it was commonsense for us to have a few run options around that and to invite Bevan French’s kicking into the game as well,” Wigan boss Peet said.

“They showed their hand a little bit there and we had to adapt.

“Harry playing eyes up there and having that support around him was because we knew they were going to come hard for him.”

Wigan had to fight back having started poorly, with The Wire taking 6-0 and 12-6 leads during the first half.

However, the hosts responded with 20 unanswered points either side of the break as Liam Marshall, Jake Wardle and Liam Farrell also crossed.

Their win completed a Wigan double on the night, with the academy curtain-raiser between the two clubs finishing 30-12 in the home side’s favour.

“It was important we got the win tonight – it was a big night for the club with the Heritage night and hosting the academy game too,” Peet said.

“The result was the most important thing. Elements of the performance were pleasing and there’s some we need to improve, but it was an important win for us.

“We started slow and it took a few lads to come off the interchange and spark us through the middle.

“We have to be better at the start of games. The two tries they scored were poor ones but in the second half, we were stiffer defensively.

“Warrington came to play – they were full of enthusiasm, energy and commitment and they tested us throughout.”