Featherstone make Wigan work hard for their win

Daryl Powell’s Championship side could not repeat the heroics of a fortnight earlier when they knocked out top-flight Castleford Tigers.

But another pulsating performance, with terrific effort from towering forwards such as Stuart Dickens and Jonny Hepworth plus the excellent centre Sam Smeaton, left them garnering plenty more plaudits.

The part-timers actually led the revered cup giants until moments before the interval and were still fighting hard to secure a place in Tuesday’s quarter-final draw until Gareth Hock’s 78th-minute try applied undeserving gloss to Wigan’s display.

Gritty Featherstone kept England superstar Sam Tomkins quiet all evening and given the ferocity of their defence, the Warriors – who put 56 points past Hull FC on Sunday – will certainly know this morning they have been in a tenacious battle.

Just like Castleford, they took an early lead when Sean O’Loughlin crossed inside four minutes.

Kyle Briggs had needlessly shot out of the line, failing to intercept Brett Finch’s pass, allowing the England international to ease over, and Tomkins converted.

However, as in that previous tie, it did not create the expected points avalanche.

Wigan’s Harrison Hansen fumbled the re-start, an early sign that they were fallible, to raise Featherstone spirits immediately.

Adopting a positive approach, the hosts decided to catch their illustrious foes off guard at every opportunity.

When Liam Finn’s audacious chip on halfway was negated by Tomkins many teams would have ditched the tactic.

But, instead, the scrum-half attempted an even bolder crossfield kick, early in the count and near his own 20m, which Tom Saxton collected only to find Wigan’s Darrell Goulding when he flung back inside.

Powell had clearly told his players their only way of succeeding here was to show the same sense of adventure as they had done against Castleford; the defensive desire was always going to be there regardless.

Saxton took a quick penalty tap in his own half which saw Briggs scampering clear. Smeaton was eventually hauled in but ambitious Featherstone had served notice of their intentions.

When the normally error-free Tomkins spilled a loose, bouncing pass from Thomas Leuluai, the vocal home support knew they might just have some reward.

They did in the 19th minute when James Lockwood smashed into Anthony Gelling from a Wigan scrum in front of their own posts, forcing the ball clear.

Hepworth quickly picked up and equally as swiftly found Finn so that, with Wigan’s defence still desperately trying to readjust, Greg Worthington could make a final pass for Saxton to reach over at the corner. Finn’s conversion just fell wide but when Wigan were embarrassingly caught offside in front of Tomkins’s re-start, the hosts were handed another opportunity to strike.

Smeaton again went close after more incisive work from Briggs before Finn floated another clever chip early in the count – this time on the Wigan 20 – for alert full-back Ian Hardman to latch onto.

Finn improved but Wigan immediately responded when O’Loughlin brilliantly shovelled on Tomkins’s pass to see Darrell Goulding evade Hepworth and slide over. Tomkins could not add the extras which left it level at 10-10 but Featherstone were fortunate not to go behind in the 32nd minute when Gelling’s effort was ruled out by video referee Ian Smith due to a marginal obstruction in back play from Hock.

The ruggedness of Featherstone’s forward play was obvious all night though as Hansen found out when he endured a gaping head wound after clashing with a rampaging Dickens.

Soon after, Michael McIlorum got a little too physical in response with Finn who duly slotted a penalty to nudge Featherstone back in front but, agonisingly, Wigan struck with just 48 seconds remaining of the first half. A flat pass from Finch straight from a penalty saw Hock thunder through a deceived defence to score between the posts, Josh Charnley successfully taking over kicking duties.

The loss of Saxton five minutes into the second half could have seen Rovers wilt given he offers such an attacking outlet but they were immense again as they continually matched Wigan up front.

They eventually broke when Leuluai stretched over in the 53rd minute, Charnley kicking, but did not crumble thereafter.

Just before the hour mark, Finn stole possession – admittedly in a two-man tackle – and raced 60m.

He was eventually dragged down but more slick and swift handling saw the ball moved to the right where Gareth Raynor, a Challenge Cup winner with Hull FC in 2005, finished on his home debut.

That got Featherstone within touching distance again but Leuluai’s class told as his long pass ushered Charnley over in the 64th minute to ease Wigan’s nerves before Hock finished off.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Raynor, Smeaton, Worthington, Saxton; Briggs, Finn; Haley, Kaye, Dickens, Lockwood, Spears, Hepworth. Substitutes: Kain, Maloney, Grayshon, England.

Wigan Warriors: Tomkins; Charnley, Goulding, Hughes, Gelling; Finch, Leuluai; Prescott, McIlorum, Lima, Hansen, Hock, O’Loughlin. Substitutes: Mossop, Farrell, Tuson, Lauaki.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Mirfield).