Four-try Wigan beat Hull FC to consolidate second

Betfred Super League

Wigan (10) 22

Tries: Douglas, Eckersley, Nsemba, Farrimond Goals: Keighran 3

Hull FC (4) 4

Tries: Cartwright

Reigning Super League champions Wigan Warriors beat Hull FC to consolidate second spot in Super League - and move back level on points with leaders Hull KR.

The hosts atoned for their shock defeat at Hull in late July as they ran in four tries, all scored by the club's own home-grown academy graduates - Jacob Douglas, Zach Eckersley, Junior Nsemba and Jack Farrimond.

Wigan looked in complete control when, after Jai Field played in young winger Douglas for the opening eighth-minute try, the hosts scored a second on 19 minutes.

Field was involved again as home centre Eckersley went over to extend their lead, Adam Keighran this time converting for a 10-0 lead.

Jed Cartwright's try got the visitors right back into it - and they remained within just a score for a long spell before Nsemba and half-back Farrimond wrapped up victory.

But it was not until the 55th minute that Wigan stretched their lead when Keighran played a neat reverse pass inside for Warriors forward Nsemba to carve through the tiring Hull backline. Then it was a well-worked switchback move down the right which created the gap for Farrimond to grab his fourth try of the season.

For the Black and Whites, although it was a fifth successive defeat, they were helped in their quest to avoid finishing last as London Broncos lost at home to Leigh in Sunday's other Super League fixture.

They could also gain some compensation in that the expected avalanche of tries never materialised after the loss of Cartwright following a head injury assessment.

But Wigan had injury concerns of their own when, on his 200th career appearance, home winger Liam Marshall - this season's top try-scorer - had to disappear for stitches in a nasty head injury.

The Warriors were then reduced to 12 men with 13 minutes left when Patrick Mago was shown a yellow card for a late hit on Jack Ashworth.

But it was Wigan, still missing key men Bevan French and Liam Farrell in particular, who wasted the chances to add some gloss to the scoreline when Sam Walters and Jacob Douglas both went close.

Both sides are now back in action next Saturday when Hull host Castleford in the afternoon kick-off slot before Wigan face Catalans in Perpignan in the night game (20:00 BST).

Wigan coach Matt Peet:

"It was job done. But there is so much more in us. We know we have to improve and will strive to do that. It is worth recognising that we had a very young side.

"I understand why there was some inconsistency in the performance, but we still want to strive to be a team regardless of who is in.

"We are fortunate that we sit at the head of a very strong pathway and that we have so many people coaching and working hard, not just in Wigan but all across the north west.

"Across a lot of teams at the moment, squads are stretched and we are seeing young players emerge."

Hull FC interim coach Simon Grix:

"There was a lot of talk - and I have said in the past about talk not meeting the actions, but I thought we did this week.

"It has been really lacking in the playing group. That honest courage to give one of your team-mates some professional criticism really. It has been missing, but we got a bit of it this week.

"The big change in a week is that they have got hold of it. It wasn't perfect by any means but, effort-wise they hung in there against a big physical team.

"Had they been a bit smarter there might even have been a bit more on offer."

Wigan: Field; Douglas, Eckersley, Wardle, Marshall; Farrimond, Keighran; Havard, Leeming, Thompson, Nsemba, Walters, Mago.

Interchanges: Byrne, Dupree, Hill, Forber.

Sin-bin: Mago (66)

Hull FC: Moy; Barron, Tuimavave, Briscoe, Martin; Smith, Charles; Ese'ese, Lane, Gardiner, Chamberlain, Cartwright, Aydin.

Interchanges: Ashworth, Fash, Jebson, Ruan.

Referee: Aaron Moore