Wigan clinch nail-biting win over Hull in Super League
Last Updated: 13/03/15 10:57pm
Wigan ended a three-game losing run to see off Hull 13-12 in a game that the home side almost threw away in the dying stages at the DW Stadium.
The Warriors led 12-0 at half-time thanks to tries from Joel Tomkins and Dan Sarginson but received an injury blow when Josh Charnley limped off shortly after the half hour mark.
Hull gave themselves a fighting chance at the start of the second half with Fetuli Talanoa capitalising on a mix up between Matty Bowen and Anthony Gelling to halve the deficit.
Matty Smith then kicked what proved to be a crucial drop-goal for the Warriors before Callum Lancaster went over for The Black and Whites with Marc Sneyd's goal taking them within a point and setting up a tight finish.
The opening stages belonged to the home side and Tomkins opened the scoring after collecting a ball from Smith to go over, with the latter converting for a 6-0 lead.
A mistake early in the tackle count from the restart gave Hull their first crack at Wigan's line and they thought they had levelled matters when Dean Hadley went over from Sneyd's pass but referee Ben Thaler brought it back for a forward pass.
In the final five minutes of the first half, Smith slotted over a penalty before Tomkins caused havoc down the right and the ball was then spread left to Sarginson who threw a dummy to cross over. But Smith was off target and Wigan led 12-0 at the break.
Hull hit back after the break when Bowen and Gelling got in each other's way and Talanoa was on hand to pick up the loose ball and score with Sneyd adding the extras.
Joe Burgess then went over in the corner for Wigan but Thaler ruled that Bowen's final pass had gone forward.
A drop-goal from Smith ended a period of 23 minutes without a score to see the Warriors lead by seven and despite again dominating possession, the home side could not close the game out.
A bit of individual skill from Lancaster saw him collect his own kick through to put Hull deep in Wigan's half and the winger was then on hand to collect a looping ball from Danny Houghton to touch down in the corner.
Sneyd converted to make it a one point game and they came agonisingly close to snatching victory but Liam Watts' ball to Talanoa was too high as the Warriors clung on.