Round 23
Wigan Warriors 40 d. Les Catalans Dragons 4

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Wigan Warriors slay the Dragons
Sat August 5, 2006
Source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Wigan Warriors recorded another crucial two Super League points with what proved to be a comfortable win against the Catalans Dragons at the JJB Stadium on Friday night.

Wigan were efficient and it was another determined effort and with a 20-0 half time lead had just about sewn this one up after forty minutes. Wigan scored seven tries in total and both Pat Richards and David Vaealiki scored four pointers on their return to the side.

The French side have been formidable at home and have stolen some useful points on the road but never really looked like threatening Wigan in this one. Michael Dobson against his former side worked hard as did Mark Calderwood out wide and the Warriors had extra power in the forward line.

Brian Noble's men dominated early on and Wigan were denied a try in the opening sixty seconds. Dobson, Higham and O'Loughlin involved, an offside decision given by the referee Karl Kirkpatrick as the Warriors skipper looked for early points.

Sixty seconds later Wigan had scored, Vaealiki and Fletcher with a break down the right, Mark Calderwood was there in support to race clear for the night's first try. Dobson struck the goal to make it 6-0.

The Warriors looked to press home with further points, twice held over the line in Higham and Fielden in quick succession before Bryan Fletcher was able to find a gap on 12 minutes for the home sides second try, Dobson's goal made it 12-0.

On 31 minutes a Dobson penalty extended the score to 14-0.

As half time approached Wigan crossed for their third try, just as it looked as if the Warriors were just short a pass found Harrison Hansen who dived over, 18-0 and with Dobson's fourth goal it was a commanding 20-0 interval lead.

The visitors were finally in for points on 45 minutes, Rinaldi sending in Thomas Bosc for a try in the left hand corner. Stacey Jones missed the conversion 20-4.

Wigan responded almost immediately, the Dragons penalised for a high tackle on Scott Logan and a clever Dobson grubber kick was pounced upon by Pat Richards for Wigan's fourth try of the night. This time the scrum half's conversion struck the cross bar, 24-4.

Higham and Orr combined on 63 minutes close to the Catalans line and it was a simple try for David Vaealiki on his return, 28-4. Dobson missed the extras.

Gareth Hock sent in Chris Ashton with ten minutes left, this time Danny Tickle with the goal, 34-4. As the Dragons tired Wigan scored again this time through Mickey Higham on 74 minutes, Tickles goal brought up the forty points.

Wigan have now won six of there last seven games and with three more home fixtures to come are in control of their own destiny.

Report source: www.wiganwarriors.com

Noble pleased after victory

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