Round 5: Wigan Warriors v Harlequins RL

Wigan Warriors v Harlequins RL
Friday 9th March, kick-off 8pm

http://forums.rleague.com/images/avatars/uk/wigan.gif V http://content.answers.com/main/cont...lequins_RL.JPG

Wigan Warriors 20-man squad: Ashton, Calderwood, Bailey, Withers, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Paleaaesina, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin, Vaealiki, Millard, Prescott, Hansen, Goulding, Hill, O'Carroll.

Harlequins RL 20-man squad: Gafa, Grayshon, Heckenberg, Hill, McLinden, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Melling, Mills, Orr, Paul, Purdham, Randall, Rinaldi, A. Smith, T. Smith, Sykes, Temata, Villasanti, Wells, Worrincy.

Referee: I Smith

Wigan 16-12 Harlequins

Wigan: (10) 16
Tries: Withers, Vaealiki
Goals: Richards 3

Harlequins: (12) 12
Tries: Heckenberg, Hill
Goals: Sykes, Paul

Forwer Kiwi Test centre David Vaealiki grabbed a late try to earn Wigan their first home victory of the season.

Quins held a two-point lead deep into the last quarter when Vaealiki latched onto Thomas Leuluai's pass.

Daniel Heckenberg and Scott Hill had earlier scored for Quins either side of Michael Withers' walk-in touchdown.

But with Pat Richards kicking three goals in reply to strikes from Henry Paul and Paul Sykes, Vaealiki pounced to ensure Wigan took the spoils.

Wigan youngster Chris Ashton was left out of the starting 17, fuelling speculations he is about to switch codes to rugby union and join Northampton.

But the return from injury of Trent Barrett eased the home side's nerves and he helped set up the winning score when former Wigan player Chris Melling dropped the Australian's high kick five yards in front of his own posts.

Vaealiki made them pay on the third tackle and Richards squeezed the conversion over.

Quins were camped on the Wigan line with almost constant possession for the final five minutes but the Warriors held on for a vital win.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wigan coach Brian Noble (on Chris Ashton)

"It was a coaching decision for Chris not to play, and I made it early in the week.

"I've spoken to Chris at length, and there are a couple of simple little things he needs to take out of his game to make him the player we think he can be.

"We have offered him a new deal and a decision will be made in due course but I absolutely want him to stay in rugby league and I want him to stay with Wigan."

Harlequins coach Brian McDermott

"In terms of the performance, that was the best we have played. I'm that proud and I'm so sorry for the players. They are dejected.

"It was an outstanding game of rugby league. And I wouldn't have been embarrassed to win that.

"But Wigan played very well, and their defence was excellent at the end."
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Wigan: Withers, Calderwood, Bailey, Vaealiki, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Millard, Paleaaesina, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: Higham, Prescott, Hansen, Hill.

Harlequins: McLinden, Wells, Sykes, T. Smith, Gafa, Hill, Orr, Heckenberg, Randall, Mills, Grayshon, Purdham, Paul.
Replacements: Rinaldi, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Temata, Melling.

Referee: I Smith (Oldham)

Source: http://www.BBC.co.uk

The Pies were very lucky to edge that won,Quins were hard done by!