AFTER Warrington drowned in Wigan’s seemingly bottomless well of talent, Warriors coach Matty Peet described their win tonight as “better than a final”.
A host of youngsters scored their first top-grade tries in the 30-18 triumph at Brick Community Stadium that allowed British rugby league’s most famous club to overcome a casualty list that would be crippling for anyone else.
Once more, Wigan’s junior system enjoyed a compelling endorsement in a seesawing contest that was tied on multiple occasions.
“We’re all best mates, us young boys,” fullback Josh Cartwright, who received a call from Peet on the morning of the game saying he would replace Jai Field, told Sky Sports.
“I think there were seven or eight of us who were reserve players this year.”
Peet said: “These young kids, they never know when they’re beat. They just want to win for this club and for their families.
“Better than a final, better than a final. I’m so proud. Tough kids and tough rugby league players are hard to beat and I’m privileged to coach them.”
WIGAN 30 (Daniel McDermott Eckersley Kerr McDermott Carwright tries Keighran 5 goals) beat WARRINGTON 18 (Irwin Ashton Hopoate tries Irwin 3 goals) at Brick Community Stadium.
Teams:
WIGAN: Josh Cartwright; Zach Eckersley, George O’Loughlin, Jake Wardle, Austin Daniel; Adam Keighran, Harry Smith; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Kian McDermott, Lukas Mason, Oliver Partington, Kaide Ellis. Res: Luke Thompson, Patrick Mago, Taylor Kerr, Shea O’Connor.
WARRINGTON: Lachlan Webster; Albert Hopoate, Josh Smith, Toby King, Matty Ashton; Ewan Irwin, Leon Hayes; Luke Thomas, Danny Walker, Liam Byrne, James Bentley, James Harrison, Ben Currie. Res: Toafafoa Sipley, Max Wood, Ben Hartill, Kelepi Tanginoa.
Referee: Marcus Griffiths.
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