Thursday night rugby saw Wigan Warriors travel down the road the Halliwell-Jones Stadium to take on the Warrington Wolves. Third places Wigan needed a thirty-nine point win to go top of Super League, at least until the Rhinos played Saints tomorrow evening.

Warrington, on the other hand, are nervously looking over their shoulders at the middle eights but have their destiny in their own hands. A loss from seventh could see them drop out of the eight by the end of the weekend should Hull KR pick up a win at Huddersfield and Hull FC pick up a win over the Wildcats with a big points swing in their favour. A win would see them up to sixth above the Dragons and looking strong for the super eights.

Both teams had everything to play for.

Their was little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges.

The first try of the game came on twelve minutes and was nothing short of sensational. Richie Myler twice kicked forwards over Warriors defenders and then collected his own kick to dive over by the posts. Gareth O'Brien kicked a simple conversion for 6-0.

Three minutes from the interval and Warrington emphasised how close the game was when Gareth O'Brien slotted over a drop goal from twenty metres out. But a minute from time Ryan Atkins put Warrington in the driving seat after going through a gap off a Brad Dwyer pass. O'Brien added the extras for 13-0 as the half-time hooter sounded.

The second half was a real battle of attrition, punctuated by the odd error, mostly from Wigan. On fifty-one Warrington took full advantage when Gareth O'Brien went through a massive gap to score. He slid the conversion just wide of the sticks but left his side 17-0 ahead.

On fifty-five the Warriors threw themselves a lifeline when Matty Smith put in a pinpoint grubber kick to the right corner which was picked up and touched down by Dominic Manfredi. Matty Bowen converted with aplomb from the touchline to put his side two converted tries away from the Wolves.

The game became increasingly frantic and as a result the errors became more widespread from both teams. Wigan looked good for periods but couldn't get over the whitewash and the Wolves defence was ferocious, intent on keeping Wigan down to just the one score.

This was a great Warrington performance against an under par Wigan side. Brad Dwyer, Richie Myler and Gareth O'Brien all had top games but Tony Smith must be left wondering why his side can put in performances like this against the top sides but capitulate to sides lower down in the league.

Wolves: Russell, Ormsby, Ratchford, Atkins (T), Penny, O'Brien (T, 2G, DG), Myler (T), Hill, Clark, Sims, Westwood, Philbin, Harrison. Subs: Dwyer, Asostasi, Wilde, King G.

Warriors: Bowen (G), Manfredi (T), Gelling, Sarginson, Burgess, Williams, Smith, Crosby, McIlorum, Flower, Tomkins, Farrell, Sutton. Subs: Powell, Mossop, Tautai, Patrick.

Referee: Ben Thaler
Attendance: 10,504