Wigan Warriors ran in seven tries as they progressed to the semi-finals of the Coral Challenge Cup with a 36-4 win over Hull FC at the AJ Bell Stadium.
The Warriors took a commanding 26-0 lead into the interval after a Bevan French brace and further tries from Sam Powell, Liam Farrell and Joe Burgess.
Farrell added a second to his tally in the second half before Gildart crossed. Mahe Fonua scored a consolation try to prevent a Wigan clean sheet.
Team News
Two-time Lance Todd Trophy winner Marc Sneyd made an earlier-than-expected recovery from a lateral ligament injury.
With Albert Kelly absent with a hamstring injury, Sneyd’s return was a timely one.
However, Andy Last was also without Jamie Shaul and Ratu Naulago, who also suffered injuries in the sixth round tie with Castleford last Sunday.
For Wigan, they returned from a successful trip to Perpignan missing just two players from the squad that faced Catalans; George Burgess and Joe Bullock.
The Match
It took only a matter of moments for the first try of the game to come and it went the way of Wigan, following an error from Jordan Johnstone. As O’Loughlin drew in the Hull defence, he offloaded to Powell, and the hooker burrowed over from close range. Hardaker converted.
Wigan profited from some quick rucks and scored their second try of the match through Farrell as the Black & Whites failed to deal with a Hastings grubber kick. Hardaker made it 12-0 with the conversion from out wide after ten minutes.
After defending more Wigan pressure, Hull appeared to have weathered the storm. But the next wave of attack ended in a third try for Adrian Lam’s men, as French was too strong for the FC defence, spinning out of the challenge. Hardaker couldn’t convert, leaving the scores at 16-0.
French had his second of the game on the stroke of half time, which gave Hull a mountain to climb in the second half. Hardaker made a break down the right side and kicked through to the fullback on the inside. Hardaker converted to make it 22-0.
Hull’s misery continued before the half-time hooter sounded. As Hull offloaded in an attempt to pull a try back, Burgess picked up a knock on and raced 90 metres down the left touchline to score the Warriors’ fifth try of the game.
HALF-TIME: Hull FC 0-26 Wigan Warriors
Back-to-back penalties gave Wigan the opportunity to add to their lead and they did just that. Fifteen minutes into the second half, Harry Smith linked up with Farrell from fifteen metres out and the back-rower crossed the whitewash with ease.
Gildart added Wigan’s seventh as he coasted through a big hole in the Black & Whites defence to dot down underneath the posts.
Hull prevented a Warriors clean sheet when Jake Connor looped a pass out wide to Fonua, who showed tidy footwork and brute strength to power over in the right corner with nine minutes remaining.
FULL-TIME: Hull FC 4-36 Wigan Warriors
Squads & Scorers
Hull: Connor Wynne, Mahe Fonua, Carlos Tuimavave, Josh Griffin, Bureta Faraimo, Jake Connor, Marc Sneyd, Masi Matongo, Jordan Johnstone, Brad Fash, Jordan Lane, Manu Ma’u, Joe Cator
Hull Interchanges: Jack Brown, Danny Houghton, Ligi Sao, Chris Satae
Hull Tries: Fonua
Hull Goals: Sneyd (0/1)
Wigan: Bevan French, Dom Manfredi, Zak Hardaker, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Tommy Leuluai, Jackson Hastings, Oliver Partington, Sam Powell, Ethan Havard, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Sean O’Loughlin
Wigan Interchanges: Mitch Clark, Joe Greenwood, Joe Shorrocks, Harry Smith
Wigan Tries: Powell, Farrell (2), French (2), Burgess, Gildart
Wigan Goals: Hardaker (4/7)
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