In a commanding performance at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, the Warrington Wolves secured a 23-6 triumph over the Wigan Warriors in Super League Round Nine, marking the Warriors' fourth consecutive defeat – the longest losing run under head coach Matt Peet. The win was propelled by tries from Josh Thewlis and Albert Hopoate, who each crossed the line twice, and a reliable kicking display from Marc Sneyd. Warrington entered the match without several key figures.
Captain George Williams was sidelined with a serious neck injury that will require surgery, while James Harrison, Luke Yates, Toff Sipley and Adam Holroyd were also unavailable. Mid‑fielder Cai Taylor‑Wray left the field early after sustaining an injury of his own. Wigan, meanwhile, were missing the prolific Bevan French and were also without Harry Smith and Sam Walters, who were serving bans.
The game began with both sides testing each other’s defenses, trading errors and conceding penalties in the opening ten minutes. The first breakthrough came in the 11th minute when Wigan winger Liam Marshall pulled up with a hamstring injury, forcing an early reshuffle for the Warriors. The loss of Marshall disrupted Wigan’s backline rhythm and seemed to unsettle their discipline, as they began to concede several penalties, particularly against Matty Ashton. Warrington capitalized on the opening half‑hour when Ewan Irwin delivered a crisp pass to Josh Thewlis, who evaded a strong defensive wall formed by Patrick Mago and Ethan Havard to score the opening try.
Marc Sneyd added the conversion, and a subsequent penalty from Sneyd gave the home side an 8-0 lead at the interval. The second half started with Wigan pressing for a response. Their persistence paid off in the 49th minute when Zack Eckersley gathered a loose ball near the try line, only for the referee to rule the effort out after a push from Warrington’s Keighran was detected.
Nevertheless, the Warriors soon found a way through when Eckersley broke the line, sprinted 60 metres and dived over, reducing the deficit to 12-6 after Keighran’s successful conversion. Warrington, however, quickly re‑established their dominance. Following a knock‑on by Junior Nsemba, the Wolves seized the ensuing territory and worked the ball across the field until Hopoate finished with a brilliant try on the edge.
Though Sneyd missed the conversion, the score stood at 12-0 with just 25 minutes remaining. Six minutes later, Thewlis added his second try, this time from close range after a well‑executed penalty gave him a prime position; Sneyd’s conversion pushed the lead to 18-6. Sneyd then marked his 50th Super League drop‑goal, extending the margin to 19-6.
Hopoate completed his brace shortly after, diving over in the corner to seal a comprehensive 23-6 victory for Warrington. The win moved the Wolves two points closer to the league leaders, with a game in hand, while Wigan’s slump deepened, raising concerns about their form and morale. Post‑match, Wigan head coach Matt Peet spoke 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, yet Warrington executed their game plan more effectively.
Peet warned that the Warriors could not afford lapses in execution in future fixtures, emphasizing the need for consistency and collective resolve. Warrington’s coach Sam Burgess also addressed the media, noting the gritty first half and the improved composure displayed after the break. He praised his squad for adapting to the loss of Cai Taylor‑Wray and for their defensive resilience, especially after a disappointing display in the previous week. Burgess highlighted the potential of 18‑year‑old Ewan Irwin, acknowledging his raw talent and promising moments, while urging patience as the youngster continues to develop his confidence and game awareness.
The match also featured several ancillary notes for fans: the broadcast recommended using the Chrome browser for optimal video playback, and Sky Sports confirmed that it will continue to air every Super League game live throughout the season, with two matches per round shown exclusively and the remaining fixtures distributed across its channels. Overall, the Wolves’ blend of strategic kicking, opportunistic try‑scoring, and disciplined defense proved decisive.
Their ability to adapt to injuries and maintain pressure on a depleted Wigan side underscored a growing confidence as the season progresses, while the Warriors must regroup quickly to halt their unprecedented losing streak under Matt Peet.