Charnley brace denies Hull

Wigan maintained their unbeaten start to the Super League season with a 14-12 victory over Hull despite the sending off of Joel Tomkins.

The England second-row was dismissed in the 68th minute for use of the elbow with the defending champions trailing 12-8.

But winger Josh Charnley got his second try of the afternoon and Sam Tomkins kicked a match-winning penalty to edge his side in front.

There was still time for more drama as former Wigan forward Danny Tickle had a chance to tie the scores, but his 40-metre penalty attempt fell wide.

Warriors made the perfect start after former Wigan full-back Cameron Phelps was outjumped by Ryan Hoffman, who collected Paul Deacon's towering kick to cross after three minutes.

Deacon's conversion struck an upright and the stand-off exited the action after only 15 minutes after taking a heavy knock - and the Warriors suffered as a result.

Sam Obst was a constant thorn in Wigan's side with his elusive running and it was one of his breaks that set up the position for second row Joe Westerman to force his way over on eight minutes.

Errors

Hull enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening quarter and they took advantage in the 17th minute when winger Tom Briscoe touched down Richard Horne's kick inches from the dead-ball line.

Tickle added the two to make it 10-4, a lead they kept intact to the break.

Wigan made their task all the more difficult when prop Jeff Lima, making a difficult home debut, came up with two handling errors early in the second half which kept his side on the back foot.

Hull, who had Willie Manu put on report for a high tackle on Sam Tomkins, extended their lead with a Westerman penalty goal but a long pass from makeshift stand-off Sean O'Loughlin got Charnley over unmarked for his first try on 54 minutes.

The game exploded 10 minutes later when Joel Tomkins and Yeaman traded blows following an off-the-ball incident.

Referee Steve Ganson let both players off with a lecture but showed the red card to the Wigan man moments later after he appeared to lead with the elbow going into a tackle by Yeaman.

The incident appeared to spark Wigan into life and they drew level eight minutes from the end when Charnley grabbed his second try, courtesy of another long pass from O'Loughlin.

Sam Tomkins was wide with both touchline conversion attempts but found the target with a penalty from close to the posts after Westerman had been pulled up for interference at the play-the-ball.