In a commanding display at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, the Warrington Wolves secured a 23-6 triumph over the Wigan Warriors in Round Nine of the Super League, handing the Warriors their fourth consecutive defeat – the longest losing run in the Matt Peet era. The win was highlighted by tries from Josh Thewlis and Albert Hopoate, who each crossed the line twice, while captain Marc Sneyd added points from the boot, including a penalty, a drop goal and his 50th career Super League conversion.
Warrington entered the match without several key figures. Long‑term captain George Williams remained sidelined after being diagnosed with a neck injury that will require surgery. In addition, James Harrison, Luke Yates, Toff Sipley and Adam Holroyd were unavailable, and Cai Taylor‑Wray was forced off during the game with an injury of his own. Despite these absences, the home side managed to maintain cohesion and exploit Wigan’s frailties.
Wigan also suffered from a depleted roster. They were missing the prolific Bevan French, while Harry Smith and Sam Walters served bans that kept them out of the squad. Early in the first half, winger Liam Marshall limped off with a hamstring strain, prompting an immediate reshuffle that disrupted the Warriors’ defensive rhythm and forced them to concede penalties, particularly in the right‑hand channel where Matty Ashton was repeatedly penalised.
The opening ten minutes were cagey, with both teams committing errors and gifting each other penalty opportunities. The first breakthrough came just before the half‑time whistle when Thewlis capitalised on a precise pass from Ewan Irwin, slipping through a narrow gap between Patrick Mago and Ethan Havard to touch down. Sneyd’s successful penalty conversion gave Warrington an 8‑0 lead at the interval.
The second half began with Wigan pressing for a response. On the 49th minute, Zack Eckersley appeared to have scored after gathering a loose ball and sprinting 60 metres, but the try was disallowed after officials ruled a push by Warrington’s Keighran.
The decision left the Warriors frustrated, but they soon found a way onto the board. Six minutes later Eckersley broke through the Wolves’ line, evaded several defenders and dove over the try line, with Keighran adding the conversion to narrow the deficit to 12‑6. Warrington quickly re‑asserted their dominance.
After a junior‑level knock‑on by Nsemba, the Wolves worked the ball downfield and set up Hopoate for a brilliant finish on the edge. Although Sneyd missed the conversion, the score moved to 12‑0 with just 25 minutes remaining. The Wolves continued to apply pressure, and in the 67th minute Thewlis slotted a penalty from just 10 metres out, extending the lead to 18‑6. Sneyd then added his 50th career Super League one‑pointer, pushing the margin to 19‑6.
The final blow came when Hopoate completed his brace, diving over for a second try that cemented the 23‑6 result. Throughout the match, Warrington’s defensive structure remained solid, especially after the loss of Taylor‑Wray, as they shuffled players and maintained discipline.
Their ability to absorb early setbacks and still execute set‑piece plays, such as Sneyd’s drop goal, demonstrated a maturity that Wigan struggled to match. Post‑match, Wigan head coach Matt Peet spoke candidly to Sky Sports, describing the performance as “tough to watch at times” but expressing pride in his players’ effort. He acknowledged that both teams were in similar positional predicaments but highlighted that Warrington executed their game plan more effectively. Peet warned that repeated lapses could increase pressure on the Warriors and stressed the need for consistency and collective resolve moving forward.
Warrington’s coach Sam Burgess also addressed the media, noting that the first half was “gritty” and lacked composure, but the team found its rhythm after the break. He praised the squad’s defensive improvements, especially after a disappointing performance in the previous round, and singled out 18‑year‑old Ewan Irwin for his potential, urging patience as the youngster gains confidence and experience.
The victory propelled Warrington to within two points of the league leaders, with a game in hand, while Wigan’s position slipped further down the table. The result also underscored the importance of squad depth in a physically demanding competition, as injuries and suspensions forced both coaches to adapt tactics on the fly.
Looking ahead, the Wolves will aim to build on this momentum, hoping to close the gap on the top of the Super League and secure a favorable position for the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Warriors must regroup quickly, address disciplinary issues that led to numerous penalties, and find a way to stop the opposition’s momentum if they hope to halt their losing streak.
Fans were encouraged to watch the remaining Super League fixtures via Sky Sports, which continues to broadcast every match live this season, offering exclusive coverage of two games each round and additional highlights across the week.