Wigan maintained their perfect start to the new Betfred Super League campaign with a 36-16 win away at Toulouse as Zach Eckersley and Adam Keighran scored two tries apiece.
The Warriors, who thrashed Leigh 54-0 last time out, took the lead after seven minutes when Eckersley dived over in the corner. Keighran then soon barged over following a swift attack for a second try, which was confirmed on review, and the Australian calmly again added the extras.
Wigan’s onslaught continued as Keighran went through again for a third score after being picked out by a short pass from Jack Farrimond.
Eckersley touched down in the right corner after 24 minutes and Keighran thought he had a hat-trick after catching a loose ball, but it was ruled out for a knock-on.
Toulouse, beaten at Bradford for a first league defeat last week, finally mounted some pressure, with Bevan French making a try-saving tackle to deny Oliver Ashall-Bott.
The home side did get on the board just before half-time when Ashall-Bott collected a kick to crash over, with Jake Shorrocks converting to make it 18-6 at the break.
After a low-key start to the second half, Wigan extended their lead when French showed quick feet as he barged through in the 53rd minute.
Toulouse were then awarded a penalty try when Liam Marshall hauled down Ashall-Bott as they chased a kick through to reduce the deficit again.
A swift break from Farrimond then sent Brad O’Neill clear on the hour mark, only for Toulouse to respond again as Benjamin Laguerre stretched over in the corner under a tackle from French, with his try given following a video review for potentially losing control of the ball.
Wigan, though, ended hopes of a late comeback when a quickly-taken penalty allowed Farrimond to burst away again and put Sam Walters over to close out another impressive win.
Warriors head coach Matt Peet said: “It was a brave performance. Credit to Toulouse who challenged us and posed problems. I liked our start, we needed to take it up which we did.
“There will certainly be things we look at, and technical things we could have done better, but playing here brings challenges in different ways. It’s very early days. There will be challenges to overcome in the future, but I like the mentality of the group.”
St Helens come back to beat Bradford
Deon Cross scored a late try to secure St Helens a 26-22 victory from their topsy-turvy encounter with 12-man Bradford at the Brewdog Stadium.
Saints overturned a 16-4 deficit to take a lead into the final 20 minutes, but needed Cross’ late effort to secure a third straight victory after Andy Ackers’ try had threatened a shock.
Shane Wright touched down to put the Saints ahead after five minutes, but it proved to be the hosts’ only score of the half.
Bradford replied with an Ethan Ryan try eight minutes later, and added more points through Luke Hooley’s penalty after David Klemmer was sent to the sin bin.
Deon Cross scored the match-winning try
Connor Wynne touched down for a 21st-minute try to make it 10-4 Bradford, and extended their lead when he crossed the whitewash for the second time two minutes into the second half, converted by Hooley.
The hosts clawed their way back with a Curtis Sironen try, converted by Jackson Hastings, who also booted in the extras for Tristan Sailor’s 49th-minute try to bring the sides level.
Bulls were forced to play the rest of the contest short-handed after Eliot Peposhi was dismissed for a 53rd-minute high tackle and Kyle Feldt took advantage with a Saints try one minute later.
Ackers drew the sides back on level terms with a 64th-minute try after Joe Shorrocks was sent to the sin bin and Hooley converted to boot Bulls back in front, but Cross’ 75th-minute try and Hastings’ third conversion settled the game.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
