Wigan go top of Super League table with win over winless Wakefield

Wigan went top of the Super League table with a comfortable 22-6 win over Wakefield, who are still without a win in 2023.

The win sees the Warriors leapfrog rivals Warrington in to poll position thanks to their superior points difference.

Wakefield, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom of the ladder after losing all 10 games so far this season.

The damage was already done at the break, with Wigan leading 18-0 thanks to tries from Liam Marshall, Abbas Miski and Ethan Havard.

Jay Pitts pulled one back for Trinity in the second half but the Warriors were in control throughout, and wrapped up with the win 10 minutes from time thanks to a trademark try from Bevan French.

Match report

It took just seven minutes for the first try to be scored. Marshall, who will be hoping to make his England debut against France next week, produced an acrobatic finish in the corner.

Lebanon international Miski continued his fine form by getting on the scoresheet midway through the first half.

Wigan extended their lead on the half hour mark when Bulgaria-born prop Ethan Havard capitalised on an error from Wakefield winger Lee Kershaw.

Half-back Harry Smith converted all three of Wigan’s tries to put his side in an 18-0 advantage at the break.

Wigan forward Willie Isa sent to the sin bin

Wigan were dealt a blow in the 52nd minute when forward Willie Isa was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle on Harry Bowes, which saw the Wakefield hooker leave the action for a head injury assessment, but he later returned.

Wakefield pulled one back on the hour mark when Pitts crashed over the line from close range. Mason Lino’s conversion hit both posts before going through the uprights.

Wigan went 22-6 ahead in the 68th minute thanks to a bit of dazzling footwork from French, who scored his 100th career try.

The game fizzled out in the last 10 minutes, with Wigan finishing comfortable 22-6 winners at the DW Stadium.

Wigan: French; Miski, King, Wardle, Marshall; Shorrocks Smith; Byrne, Powell, Havard, Isa, Pearce-Paul, Smithies. Subs: Mago, O’Neill, Hill, Nsemba. 18th man: Eckersley.

Tries: Marshall, Miski, Havard, French Goals: Smith 3

Wakefield: Kay; Kershaw, Lyne, Langi, Taufua; Milnes, Lino; Proctor, Bowes, Whitbread, Ashurst, Hewitt, Pitts. Subs: Eseh, Bowden, Atoni, Battye.

Treis: Pitts Goals: Lino 1

Attendance: 12,240

Both teams will have a weekend off next week due to the international break, with England taking on France in Warrington.

Next up for the Warriors is a trip to Hull FC on Thursday, May 4.

It doesn’t get any easier for Wakefield, who face Warrington away on Friday, May 5.

WATCH: One of the best acrobatic try finishes you will ever see from the French Cup final