Hardaker drop goal wins it for Wigan
1 Aug 2019
Zak Hardaker’s late drop-goal earned Wigan Warriors a 15-14 win away at second place Hull FC.
It was a tough battle at the KCOM, with 17 of the 29 points scored coming from conversions and a drop goal.
HARDAKER! 🎯 The drop goal for @WiganWarriorsRL and they lead by 1 with minutes remaining
Live on @SkySportsRL Arena now #SLHulWig pic.twitter.com/vFlSHl60r5
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 1, 2019
The Warriors defence came out eager, but two penalties awarded against Wigan put Hull on the front foot. Marc Sneyd converted both to put FC 4-0 ahead after 15 minutes, but Wigan were the first to register a four pointer.
Tommy Leuluai’s perfectly placed kick allowed Marshall to beat his counterpart to the ball and an eight-point try was awarded after contact in the air by Hull’s Bureta Faraimo. Hardaker converted both kicks to give Wigan an 8-4 lead after 25 minutes.
Hardaker extended the lead to six with a penalty of his own, but Sneyd kicked his third penalty of the game on the stroke of half time and Wigan went in after 40 with a 10-6 lead.
Marshall scored his second just eight minutes into the second half when he finished expertly after quick hands from the Warriors back line.
With 15 minutes remaining, Scott Taylor powered over under the sticks and Sneyd converted, bringing the black and white army to within touching distance of Wigan.
Sneyd kicked his fourth penalty of the game in the 72nd minute to level the scores at 14 each.
Hull’s mercurial kicker and Super League’s top drop goal kicker Sneyd then had a chance to put FC ahead in the 73rd minute, but his drop goal attempt was charged down by a fired-up Warriors defence.
With less than five minutes remaining and nothing separating the sides, Zak Hardaker hit a 40-metre drop goal through the sticks to get the win for Wigan.
The victory leaves Wigan in fourth, two points behind Hull FC and two ahead of Castleford Tigers in fifth.
