Weasels Ripped My Flesh
First Grade
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SATURDAY - 13th May 2006
Wigan look doomed to relegation after losing their crunch clash with Wakefield in a tense and dramatic engage Super League encounter at a soggy Belle Vue by 10-8.
The Warriors had a chance to snatch the points when winger Pat Richards went over the Wakefield tryline in the last minute but lost the ball in the tackle of Wildcats full-back Colum Halpenny, who had already clinched the man-of-the-match award.
The gloom in West Yorkshire matched the mood in the Warriors dressing room after a 12th defeat in 14 games left the famous Wigan club rooted to the foot of the table at the halfway stage.
Another dismal performance left Brian Nobles men five points adrift of nearest relegation rivals Harlequins and with little sign of any miraculous turnaround in fortunes.
Wigan, who lacked creativity and produced a woeful kicking game, could have no complaints over the outcome.
With both the stakes and tensions so high and conditions made difficult by persistent rain throughout the day, it was 27 minutes before the first score, although Wakefield had most of the early play.
Second rower Dave Wrench went close after six minutes and the Wildcats created the first clear-cut chance when centre Jason Demetriou dropped David Solomonas pass close to the line.
Almost inevitably, the deadlock was broken by a handling error, with Wigan debutant Danny Hill failing to control Bryan Fletchers pass inside his own half.
Wakefield scrum-half Sam Obst hacked the ball on and, although he was brought down short of the line, centre Ryan Atkins forced his way over from the next play.
Ben Jeffries, taking over the goalkicking in the absence of the suspended Jamie Rooney, added the conversion and the home side would have been further ahead but for a brilliant try-saving tackle from Wigan winger Brett Dallas on Jeffries.
Wigan soaked up the pressure and hit back five minutes before half-time when hard-running prop Iafeta Paleaaesina took Dennis Morans pass and proved unstoppable from 10 metres out and Danny Tickles conversion tied the scores.
Wigan were indebted to skipper Sean OLoughlin for pulling off a try-saving tackle on Wakefield hooker David March three minutes into the second half.
Wigan were in luck two minutes later when Halpenny broke out of defence and had a clear run to the line only to be recalled for obstruction and Tickle kicked the penalty to edge his side ahead for the first time.
The lead lasted only seven minutes, however, as Wigans defensive frailty was highlighted by a determined run from centre Demetriou.
There seemed little danger but the experienced Australian fended off Moran and beat two other defenders on a jinking run to the line.
Wakefield debutant forward Adam Watene and Wigan second rower Bryan Fletcher were both placed on report for alleged dangerous tackles.
Wakefield (6) 10.
Tries: Atkins, Demetriou. Goals: Jeffries
Wigan (6) 8.
Tries: Paleaaesina. Goals: Tickle 2.
Wakefield: Halpenny, Whittle, Demetriou, Atkins, Tadulala, Jeffries, Obst, MacGillivray, March, Korkidas, Solomona, Wrench, Betham.
Replacements: Griffin, White, Catic, Watene.
Wigan: Ashton, Dallas, Vaealiki, Goulding, Richards, Orr, Moran, Paleaaesina, Higham, Logan, Fletcher, Hill, OLoughlin.
Replacements: Seu Seu, Godwin, Tickle, McAvoy.
Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)
Att: 3,733
Looks like Wigan are going to have even more troubles now - it seems their only hope will be to win enough games to stay ahead of Les Cats who can't be relegated. I wouldn't read too much into that crowd either - Wakey's crowds have been on the rise and you can blame that 3,733 on the rain and the fact we were playing the crappiest team...
Wigan look doomed to relegation after losing their crunch clash with Wakefield in a tense and dramatic engage Super League encounter at a soggy Belle Vue by 10-8.
The Warriors had a chance to snatch the points when winger Pat Richards went over the Wakefield tryline in the last minute but lost the ball in the tackle of Wildcats full-back Colum Halpenny, who had already clinched the man-of-the-match award.
The gloom in West Yorkshire matched the mood in the Warriors dressing room after a 12th defeat in 14 games left the famous Wigan club rooted to the foot of the table at the halfway stage.
Another dismal performance left Brian Nobles men five points adrift of nearest relegation rivals Harlequins and with little sign of any miraculous turnaround in fortunes.
Wigan, who lacked creativity and produced a woeful kicking game, could have no complaints over the outcome.
With both the stakes and tensions so high and conditions made difficult by persistent rain throughout the day, it was 27 minutes before the first score, although Wakefield had most of the early play.
Second rower Dave Wrench went close after six minutes and the Wildcats created the first clear-cut chance when centre Jason Demetriou dropped David Solomonas pass close to the line.
Almost inevitably, the deadlock was broken by a handling error, with Wigan debutant Danny Hill failing to control Bryan Fletchers pass inside his own half.
Wakefield scrum-half Sam Obst hacked the ball on and, although he was brought down short of the line, centre Ryan Atkins forced his way over from the next play.
Ben Jeffries, taking over the goalkicking in the absence of the suspended Jamie Rooney, added the conversion and the home side would have been further ahead but for a brilliant try-saving tackle from Wigan winger Brett Dallas on Jeffries.
Wigan soaked up the pressure and hit back five minutes before half-time when hard-running prop Iafeta Paleaaesina took Dennis Morans pass and proved unstoppable from 10 metres out and Danny Tickles conversion tied the scores.
Wigan were indebted to skipper Sean OLoughlin for pulling off a try-saving tackle on Wakefield hooker David March three minutes into the second half.
Wigan were in luck two minutes later when Halpenny broke out of defence and had a clear run to the line only to be recalled for obstruction and Tickle kicked the penalty to edge his side ahead for the first time.
The lead lasted only seven minutes, however, as Wigans defensive frailty was highlighted by a determined run from centre Demetriou.
There seemed little danger but the experienced Australian fended off Moran and beat two other defenders on a jinking run to the line.
Wakefield debutant forward Adam Watene and Wigan second rower Bryan Fletcher were both placed on report for alleged dangerous tackles.
Wakefield (6) 10.
Tries: Atkins, Demetriou. Goals: Jeffries
Wigan (6) 8.
Tries: Paleaaesina. Goals: Tickle 2.
Wakefield: Halpenny, Whittle, Demetriou, Atkins, Tadulala, Jeffries, Obst, MacGillivray, March, Korkidas, Solomona, Wrench, Betham.
Replacements: Griffin, White, Catic, Watene.
Wigan: Ashton, Dallas, Vaealiki, Goulding, Richards, Orr, Moran, Paleaaesina, Higham, Logan, Fletcher, Hill, OLoughlin.
Replacements: Seu Seu, Godwin, Tickle, McAvoy.
Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)
Att: 3,733
Looks like Wigan are going to have even more troubles now - it seems their only hope will be to win enough games to stay ahead of Les Cats who can't be relegated. I wouldn't read too much into that crowd either - Wakey's crowds have been on the rise and you can blame that 3,733 on the rain and the fact we were playing the crappiest team...
