Wigan Warriors 23-22 York Knights: Match Report

York Knights lost narrowly to Betfred Super League leaders, Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium, with just a drop goal being the difference in the 23-22 defeat.

An incredible start saw York lead 14-0 after 20 minutes play, but when Ata Hingano was sent to the sinbin just before the half hour mark, Wigan got themselves into the game with two quick tries.

Despite a fierce battle in the second half, Wigan outscored York by two tries to one, with Harry Smith’s drop goal giving the former Champions enough breathing space to hang on for the win.

At the start of the game, Wigan looked the stronger side, consistently restricting the metres York could make when they had the ball. The Knights were struggling to get out of their own half, but when they got a chance, they took it.

Penalties allowed York to get into Wigan territory, and after the Warriors failed to deal with a high cross field kick from Paul McShane, Josh Griffin tapped the ball back for David Nofoaluma to pick up and score. Danny Richardson added the first of his five successful attempts at goal.

Moments later, it looked like York had scored again, only for Ben Jones-Bishop’s dive in at the corner to be ruled out when the video referee deemed he had a foot in touch after the tackle from Liam Marshall.

However, York’s spell of pressure continued allowing Paul Vaughan to power in beneath the sticks, after Jones-Bishop picked up a loose ball to break up field to set up the position.

RIchardson tagged on a penalty and York were 14 points clear.

A turning point came just short of the half hour mark when Hingano was shown the yellow card for repeated infringements, and with York down to 12 men, Wigan took advantage.

They exploited the extra space by moving the ball wide for Marshall to score a converted try. He added his second from the restart, after Junior Nsemba was sent clear giving Wigan space as York’s defence chased back. Adam Keighran couldn’t convert but York’s lead was cut to four points at the break.

Wigan started the second half showing intent, and repeated sets in the York half looked to have paid off, only for Marshall to be denied a hat-trick because of obstruction in the build up.

York were forced to work hard in defence, and while they denied Wigan some opportunities, they couldn’t stop Noah Hodkinson from scoring a converted try to give them the lead for the first time in the game.

Richardson added another Knights penalty to level the scores with around 20 minutes to go, but Wigan still looked like they would finish the stronger side.

As York went short from a drop out, Wigan regained possession, and a lovely Jack Farrimond pass put Keighran in. The centre converted for a six point lead.

With ten minutes remaining, Smith slotted over the drop goal and the game looked done.

However, the Knights have shown this year they never give up, and that proved to be the case again. Sam Cook made a break and fed to Hingano who shrugged off the attempted tacklers to score. Richardson converted to reduce the gap to one point and set up a tense final five minutes.

Despite the Knights pushing up field again, a wayward pass ended the attack and the chance to claim a famous win was over.

Wigan: Hodkinson, Eckersley, Keighran, Farrell, Marshall, Farrimond, Smith, Havard, O'Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Walters, Ellis

Subs: (used) Mago, Partington, Eseh, (unused) Lowe

18th Player: Kerr

Tries: Marshall (29, 32), Hodkinson (52), Keighran (64)

Goals: Keighran (3/4)

Drop Goal: Smith (71)

York: Mata'afa, Jones-Bishop, Wood, Williams, Nofoaluma, Hingano, Richardson, Va'a, McShane, Vaughan, Griffin, Dee, Cook

Subs: Balmforth, Martin, Sangare, Field

18th Player: Galeano

Tries: Nofoaluma (13'), Vaughan (20'), Hingano (76')

Goals: Richardson (5/5)

Sin Bin: Hingano (28)

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