Maguire: Pleased with all-round showing
Wigan coach Michael Maguire hailed the defensive effort of his side after they secured a 40-6 victory over Hull KR on Monday.
The Warriors ran away the match in the second half but were forced to fend off a period of intense pressure in the first as Rovers threatened to make it a close contest.
While Maguire acknowledged the try-scoring exploits of Sam Tomkins and Pat Richards, who both grabbed hat-tricks, he was more pleased with the commitment at the other end.
"The whole team needs the credit because of the hard work they had to fight through in that first half," he said.
"They were coming at us and there was a period where we had to defend our line for four or five sets. To be able to dig ourselves out of that and put ourselves back in the game, that was probably the most pleasing factor.
"They challenged us, we withstood it, and that allowed us to score some points at the back end. The quality of some of the tries was pleasing too."
Hooter
Hull KR trailed 12-6 when the half-time hooter sounded but Wigan kept the ball alive and Richards was awarded a try after lengthy deliberation by video referee Ben Thaler.
Richards appeared to bounce the ball but some said it had grounded it with his middle finger and in any case the decision did not help Rovers, who are still three points off the play-off places.
"It was a gutsy effort from us. Ultimately a bit of adversity was too difficult for us to overcome," Robins boss Justin Morgan said.
"We had two injuries (Jake Webster and Joel Clinton, both shoulder) in the first half and there are some question marks over the try just before half-time, but we have to handle that adversity better.
"The end of the first half we looked strong and we started the second half reasonably well, but against a good side like Wigan you need the rub of the green, and unfortunately we didn't have that."
Clinton and Webster are now doubts for the upcoming derby with Hull but Morgan may be able to call on the services of Clint Newton for that clash.
"I'm feeling fresh and the knee feels great. I'll be back in a week," the second-rower said.
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