IT COULD so easily have been the bitter-sweet taste of defeat yesterday for Mike Gregory, the new Wigan Warriors coach, at Wilderspool — the ground where he built a high reputation over 15 years — but a try by Craig Smith four minutes from time denied Warrington Wolves a rare Tetley’s Super League win over their rivals.
Warrington, who lost by a point away to Wigan earlier in the season, were left to rue missed scoring opportunities, notably just before half-time when Lee Penny broke clear but failed to see Darren Burns unmarked on his left when he was finally overtaken.
Neither side finished well. Wigan showed little conviction until the last 15 minutes when Brett Dallas danced over and Smith finished off a superb move by Luke Robinson, Kevin Brown and Terry Newton. Graham Appo edged Warrington ahead with a penalty after 13 minutes but Wigan led at half-time when Gareth Hock dived over and Andy Farrell converted. Intense Warrington pressure brought tries from Nathan Wood and Appo, but Wigan refused to accept defeat.
SCORERS: Warrington Wolves: Tries: N Wood, Appo. Goals: Appo 4. Wigan Warriors: Tries: Hock, Dallas, C Smith. Goals: Farrell 3.
WARRINGTON WOLVES: L Penny; B Grose, I Sibbit, B Westwood, D Gaskell; N Wood, G Appo; M Hilton, J Clarke, W Stevens, D Burns, P Wood, P Noone. Substitutes: J Durbin, G Hulse, M Wainwright, J Guisset.
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WIGAN WARRIORS: D Hodgson; B Carney, M Aspinwall, P Johnson, B Dallas; S O’Loughlin, A Lam; T O’Connor, T Newton, C Smith, D Tickle, S Wild, A Farrell. Substitutes: Q Pongia, G Hock, K Brown, L Robinson.
Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury).