Wigan 44 Wakefield 24: Poore sees red to leave Wakefield at mercy of Tomkins

The home side raced into a 10-0 lead with Iain Thornley and 
Anthony Gelling crossing, but the Wildcats attempted to make a game of it despite receiving a devastating blow.

Prop forward Justin Poore was shown a red card for throwing a punch at Liam Farrell, but Vince Mellars and Richard Mathers crossed over in the space of two minutes to give Wakefield a shock 12-10 lead.

However, Thornley managed to cross for his second try before further scores from Sam Tomkins, Darrell Goulding and Farrell saw the Warriors lead 30-12 at the break.

Further scores in the second half for Gelling and Tomkins put the Warriors further ahead, but tries from Lee Smith and Paul Aiton kept the score respectable before Tomkins finally got his hat-trick with a fine solo effort.

A mistake from kick-off gave Wigan field position and Matty Smith combined with Tomkins, who threw a dummy before sending Thornley over for the first try.

Wigan were rocked with an injury to Chris Tuson, but it did not halt their progress as Gelling did well to stay in the field of play to grab Wigan’s second try.

A melee took place in the 10th minute which saw Wakefield prop Poore sent off following an altercation with Farrell.

The Wigan second row took offence to what looked like Poore leading with an elbow and despite referee Robert Hicks not giving a penalty, the two players got into a pushing match before Poore threw a punch at Farrell.

The Wildcats surprisingly managed to reduce the deficit to just four points as Mellars danced around some poor defence to score between the posts.

They then took a shock lead as Aiton broke clear and his inside ball was knocked down by Michael McIlorum although Mathers won the race to the ball and touched down, with Paul Sykes converting both tries.

It did not take long for Wigan to re-take the lead as Tomkins did well to keep hold of a pass from Matty Smith before finding Darrell Goulding, who in turn sent Thornley in for his second try.

Wigan ended the game as a contest with two more scores, with Greg Burke involved in both. First, he offloaded for Tomkins to race away before taking a sublime ball from Matty Smith to send Goulding in.

Farrell then got in on the act when he stormed on to a short ball to score in the corner.

Things got worse for the Wildcats after the break with Gelling crossing for his second try following a passing move that went the whole width of the pitch as the Warriors took a 34-12 lead.

Tomkins again showed some nifty footwork to grab his second try of the game. Sam Powell took over the goalkicking duties from Matty Smith although he was off target.

Wakefield refused to lie down and they showed their fighting spirit with Lee Smith forcing the ball down from close range.

The visitors started to dominate matters and made the score more respectable with Aiton racing away to score, before Tomkins completed his hat-trick.

Wigan: S. Tomkins, Thornley, Goulding, Hughes, Gelling, Green, Smith, Crosby, McIlorum, Flower, Tuson, Farrell, Burke. Substitutes: Dudson, Taylor, Powell, Spencer.

Wakefield: Mathers, Fox, Collis, L. Smith, Cockayne, Sykes, T. Smith, Poore, Aiton, Wilkes, Annakin, Mellars, Washbrook. Substitutes: Raleigh, Wood, Lauitiiti, Amor.

Referee: R Hicks (RFL).