Wigan put in a dominant second-half performance to claim a 40-0 win in the Black & Whites’ final hit-out of their pre-season campaign.
Tony Smith’s side trailed by just six points at the break in Scott Taylor’s Testimonial Match, but a strong display after the break saw the reigning Betfred Super League champions run away with the scoreline at the MKM Stadium.
Team News
Fa’amanu Brown, Herman Ese’ese, Franklin Pele, Jayden Okunbor and Jack Ashworth all started to make their first appearances for the club on home soil, while Jack Walker also started the match – his first at the MKM Stadium since returning to the club.
Winger Lewis Martin also made his first appearance at the MKM Stadium, alongside young half-back Jack Charles from the bench having stepped up to the first-team in the off-season.
The Match
The hosts dominated possession in the opening ten minutes, and went close twice through dangerous Tex Hoy kicks, forcing drop-outs both times.
Wigan thought they had the opening score of the game when young winger Jacob Douglas touched down in the corner, only for play to be brought back for a forward pass.
Tony Smith’s side showed strong defensive efforts throughout the half, denying Wigan twice in two plays as the midway point of the half passed; first Jack Ashworth holding up Tyler Dupree, before strong pressure saw Bevan French’s pass to Zach Eckersley on the wing fly into touch.
Hull were unlucky to conceded the first try of the game after dominating possession for much of the first quarter. Harry Smith’s low cross-field kick was almost saved in goal-keeper like fashion by Cam Scott, but the ball was just out of his grasp allowing Jake Wardle to touch down. Smith converted.
Half-Time: Hull FC 0-6 Wigan Warriors
Wigan had their second of the game five minutes after the restart. A charging run from Patrick Mago saw the front-rower power over the try-line. Smith converted.
The Warriors quickly added their third. Making the most of a Davy Litten knock-on in wet conditions, the ball was picked up and quickly found Bevan French who raced over under the sticks. Smith added a third goal.
Matt Peet’s side were now in control of the contest, and extended their lead further when Tyler Dupree scampered over after the hour mark. Smith was on target once more with the boot.
Four scores quickly became five when young winger Jacob Douglas showed a fine turn of pace to race for the corner and touch down. Smith was off target on this occasion.
It would be three in quick succession for the visitors when young half-back Jack Farrimond similarly broke through the Hull line and had the pace to touch down. Keighran took over kicking duties and converted.
The Warriors were running rampant in the final quarter of the game. Ryan Hampshire scored another with eight minutes to play, breaking straight from the scrum and through the FC line.
Full-Time: Hull FC 0-40 Wigan Warriors
Squads:
Hull FC: Jack Walker. Darnell McIntosh, Cam Scott, Liam Sutcliffe, Lewis Martin, Tex Hoy, Fa’amanu Brown, Herman Ese’ese, Danny Houghton, Franklin Pele, Jayden Okunbor, Jack Ashworth, Brad Fash.
Interchange: Joe Cator, Jordan Lane. Jack Brown, Will Gardiner, Davy Litten, Denive Balmforth, Jack Charles.
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Jacob Douglad, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson, Brad O’Neill, Liam Byrne, Willie Isa, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.
Interchange: Patrick Mago, Kruise Leeming, Tyler Dupree, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters, Ryan Hampshire, Tiaki Chan, Jack Farrimond.
Scorers:
Hull FC Tries: –
Hull FC Goals: –
Wigan Warriors Tries: Wardle (25), Mago (45), French (48), Dupree (63), Douglas (65), Farrimond (68), Hampshire (72)
Wigan Warriors Goals: Smith (4/5), Keighran (2/2)
Rowe Freight Man of the Match: Herman Ese’ese
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