Wigan Warriors close in on Super League leaders

Wigan Warriors 28 - 18 Catalans Dragons

Wigan Warriors moved within touching distance of Super League leaders Hull KR after a five-try victory over Catalans Dragons

Author | Amy W

Stadium | Brick Community Stadium

Despite being without the league’s leading try-scorer Jai Field due to concussion protocols and still missing Bevan French through injury, the reigning champions had enough quality to see off the visitors. 

Youngsters Jack Farrimond and Zach Eckersley both crossed the whitewash with composed finishes, stepping up impressively in the absence of two of Wigan’s most influential figures.

Jake Wardle, Kruise Leeming and Brad O’Neill also got on the scoresheet in a performance that was solid if not sparkling. 

Wigan were never behind against a Catalans side led for the first time by Joel Tomkins, the former Wigan forward who signed a new contract earlier in the week to extend his stay with the French club until 2027.

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Catalans showed more resolve in the second half and responded with tries from Cesar Rouge, Tommy Makinson and Alrix da Costa. But Tomkins will be under no illusions about the challenge ahead, with his side now having won just once in their last 12 matches in all competitions.

A closer look at what happened

Wigan were far from their fluid best but offered more cutting edge throughout and looked more secure in defence than they did during their surprise defeat to Hull FC a week earlier. Christian Wade, who struggled against the Airlie Birds, was omitted from the squad, and the reshuffle appeared to bring more stability.

Wardle opened the scoring against the run of play, profiting from a sharp offload by Liam Marshall after Catalans had dominated territory in the opening stages. Farrimond then provided a moment of real quality to extend the lead, returning from a hamstring injury to score a crafty individual try that evoked memories of French at his most inventive.

Catalans spurned a chance to respond when Rouge kicked ahead instead of backing himself in a one-on-one with Eckersley and made a hash of it. Moments later, Wigan punished their wastefulness, Leeming finishing off a fluent team move under the posts to give the hosts a 16-0 lead at the break.

Wigan had lost three of their previous five and were in need of a result more than a statement, and Catalans ensured they didn’t have it all their own way. Rouge darted over early in the second half, only for Eckersley to reply with a well-timed run and finish reminiscent of Field, who he deputised for at full-back.

Makinson then scored a milestone try, his 196th in Super League, to draw level with Jermaine McGillvary in sixth on the all-time list, after being sent over by Theo Fages’ looping pass.

But the hosts hit back once more as O’Neill burrowed over from close range, ensuring the points were safe.

Da Costa had the final say after a video review overturned an on-field call, giving Catalans a late consolation, but it was Wigan who emerged with the spoils, recording a sixth successive win over the Dragons.