A round twenty-three encounter between the Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity was a high stakes match with the Warriors needing the two points to put themselves in the box seat for at least second position in the league table, while Wakefield knew that a win would lift them into the six and put their fate back in their own hands in their fight for a playoff spot.

The bookies gave Wakefield a twelve point start on the coupon indicating that they were confident of a home win but concerned that it might not be by a points avalanche despite the return to their ranks of talisman Bevan French.

The importance could not be overexaggerated for either side, their season’s hanging in the balance for very different reasons.

It was a scrappy opening from both sides. A short-kick off from Wakefield didn’t make the ten-metre line on eight minutes and opened the door for Wigan but on the last tackle after a good defensive set, Wigan knocked-on and Wakefield had the ball back.

The Warriors pressure told, and the deadlock was finally broken on fifteen, Adam Keighran collecting a Bevan French grubber to go in from eight metres and reach out in the tackle to ground. Keighran added the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

French celebrated his return from injury on twenty-three when a grubber kick rebounded off the post pads and into his hands to ground under the sticks. Harry Smith took over the kicking tee and was on target for 12-0.

Just after the half hour the Warriors lead was extended, Zach Eckersley taking a Liam Farrell miss-out pass to score in an ocean of space. Smith added the conversion from wide for an 18-0 lead, Wakefield had no answer and very little possession.

A penalty after the hooter presented Wakefield with a chance of their first points of the game, Max Jowitt grasping the opportunity for 2-18 at the interval.

Five minutes into the second half Nsemba scord Wigan’s fourth try of the afternoon, Marshall initially breaking and making the final pass. Smith added the conversion for 24-2, the game now lost to the visitors.

The fifth try came on fifty-four, Wakefield looking like a well beaten side. Farrell and Mago made all of the running with Jai Field being the benefactor as he supported and took the ball for a try from five metres out. Smith was on target again and Wigan had the thirty.

Ethan Havard was sin-binned on the hour mark for a shoulder to head challenge on Lachlan Walmsley.

Eckersley made it thirty-four to two as he completed his brace taking a Farrell pass to again cross in the corner with ease. Smith was unable to maintain his perfect kicking record.

A flying Liam Marshall added the seventh Wigan try of the afternoon on seventy-two minutes, leaping in at the corner to score a spectacular try. Smith was again unable to add the extras with the boot.

A breakaway try put the icing on the cake for Wigan, Sam Walters the man to ground after initial good work down the left wing by Field who was tackled by Tom Johnstone but a fast play the ball was the death of Trinity. Smith found the target again for a final score of 44-2, as comprehensive a win as you are likely to see.

With four rounds of the regular season remaining, Wigan Warriors move back into second spot, two points clear of St Helens and the Leeds Rhinos, although they do have to face both of those clubs in rounds twenty-five and twenty-seven respectively. Wakefield are still outside the six but will be buoyed that three of their remaining fixtures are against sides below them in the table, and they will still harbour hopes of a top six finish.

Wigan Warriors: Field (T), Eckersley (2T), Keighran (T, G 1/1), Wardle, Marshall, French (T), Smith (G 5/7), Havard (SB on 59). O’Neill, Byrne, Walters (T), Farrell, Ellis. Subs: Mago, Leeming, Nsemba, Hill. 18^th Man: Dupree.

Wakefield Trinity: Jowitt, Walmsley, Scott, Pratt, Johnstone, Trueman, Lino, McMeeken, Hood, Storton, Griffin, Vagana, Pitts.  Subs: Atoni, Cozza, Smith, Faatili. 18^th Man: Rourke.

Half-Time: 18-2.

Full-Time: 44-2.

Score Progression: 4-0, 6-0, 10-0, 12-0, 16-0, 18-0, 18-2 : HT: 22-2, 24-2, 28-2, 30-2, (SB), 34-2, 38-2, 42-2, 44-2 :FT.

Lead Exchanges: Wigan.

Referee: Chris Kendall.