Warrington beat Wigan to stay top of Super League
By Rory O'Callaghan
Last Updated: 02/04/16 7:16am
A superb first-half performance helped Warrington record a 28-16 victory over Wigan in a top-of-the-table Super League clash at the DW Stadium on Friday night.
First-half tries from Ben Currie, Tom Lineham, Kevin Penny and Stefan Ratchford put the visitors, who went into the match level on points with Wigan, 22-4 up at the break.
And although the Warriors managed to produce a spirited second-half comeback through Dominic Manfredi, Warrington held on for a vital win that moves them two points clear at the top of the table.
After a scoreless opening 10 minutes, Currie put the visitors in front following a strong run through the centre from prop Chris Hill.
Wigan's Liam Farrell was then sent to the sin-bin for holding on when Warrington threatened again two minutes later.
Warrington made their opposition pay immediately when Lineham crossed over in the corner after some superb work from Chris Sandow, who was involved in a third Wolves try just minutes later.
After picking up the ball in midfield, the Australia full-back then produced an inch perfect cross-field kick to winger Penny, who made no mistake from 10 yards out.
Ratchford kicked a further penalty to put the away side 14-0 up after Wigan were penalised for offside, although Sandow was forced off the pitch with a hamstring injury.
Josh Charnley, who recently announced that he would be crossing codes to sign for Sale Sharks at the end of the season, then had a try disallowed for a forward pass.
However, Wigan did manage to pull a score back when Manfredi slid in at the corner two minutes later.
Ratchford extended Warrington's lead further with an eight-point try after Farrell was penalised for flopping - Kurt Gidley successfully kicked both conversions.
The Warriors desperately needed a response before half-time and almost got it when Joel Tomkins went over - only to see his try disallowed for obstruction earlier in the move.
Warrington started the second half as they ended the first and went further in front when Ryan Atkins finished cheekily through his legs - his 150th try in Super League.
Wigan hit back through Manfredi, who scored two tries in quick succession to complete a hat-trick, but Gidley responded for Warrington with a crucial two-point penalty kick.
The home side continued to push for the two converted tries needed to level the scores but were unable to register any more points as Warrington held out for an impressive win.
