Wigan strike late against Airlie Birds

Hull FC have suffered their second defeat in as many weeks losing 18-12 against Wigan Warriors at the KCOM Stadium.

Taulima Tautai sealed victory with a four-pointer just three minutes before the end.

Jamie Shaul looked to post an early try for the Black and Whites in the corner, but was denied after Steve Michaels’ pass was ruled to be forward.

The Warriors were first on the scoreboard, thanks to a brilliant individual effort from George Williams.

He ghosted past Gareth Ellis and Marc Sneyd before shrugging off the challenge from Shaul to dive over.

Fetuli Talanoa brought Hull FC back level after 20 minutes, grounding the ball in the corner after Sneyd’s clever kick.

Joshua Charnley thought he was going to dive across but Shaul had other ideas.

The Airlie Birds increased their lead just before the interval, Mahe Fonua touching down after Sneyd’s kick was tipped into his path by Steve Michaels.

The Black and Whites finished the half with a 12-4 lead after a stunning Sneyd penalty from 55 metres out.

Frank Pritchard looked to have scored another four-pointer for Hull FC early in the second half but for a brilliant cover tackle from Sam Tomkins.

Kirk Yeaman tried to craftily ground the ball out of dummy half from one metre out but was adjudged to have come up short.

Sam Powell helped to bring the Warriors back within two points, after confirmation from the video referee Phil Bentham, powering across out of dummy half.

Matty Smith nailed the conversion to reduce Hull FC’s lead to 12-10.

Fonua denied Dan Sarginson from scoring a certain match-winning try with a brilliant tackle to take the Wigan man into touch.

Minutes later and Tautai secured victory for the Warriors with a brilliant individual effort, reaching over under the posts.