Warriors beat at Roosters – Wigan Warriors

Wigan Warriors fell to a 20-14 defeat to London Roosters in round two of the Betfred Wheelchair Super League.

Despite leading 14-4 at half-time after tries from Declan Roberts (x2) and Nathan Roberts, London Roosters came from behind to hand the Warriors their first league defeat of the season.

Report

It was an end-to-end start at Bedfordshire University as each team applied pressure to the opposing defences, however neither side could break the deadlock in the opening 15 minutes despite London came closest in the corner.

The Warriors gained control of possession deep into the Roosters half and shortly after Nathan Roberts almost benefited from an overlap in the corner, Declan Roberts went over from close range to open the scoring. The score remained at 4-0 following a failed conversion attempt.

Resolute Roosters defense denied Chris Greenhalgh a try two minutes later, however, the hosts were unable to prevent Nathan Roberts from going to ground for the Warriors’ second try. D. Roberts added the extra points to put Wigan 12-0 up.

The Warriors extended their lead further before the half-hour mark when Dec Roberts powered over from close range for his second try of the afternoon before adding the extras from the tee.

London reduced the gap two minutes before the break when Mason Billington weaved his way through two Warriors defenders before accelerating from halfway. The conversion attempt failed, the score remained 14-4 at half-time.

After a closely fought first 15 minutes of the second half, the Roosters struck first to reduce the Warriors lead when quick hands led to Freya Levy scoring on the left wing. Jason Owen’s conversion attempt made it 14-10.

The hosts took the lead on the hour when continued pressure on the Warriors defense saw Jack Linden in the corner after the play was switched from left to right. Owen added the extras to give London a two-point lead.

Despite the Warriors’ best efforts to turn the contest around, the Roosters sealed victory with five minutes remaining when Lewis King picked out Linden on the wing for his second try. Despite being unable to convert the try, London held on in the closing stages to record a 20-14 victory.

Roosters of London: Mason Billington, Jason Owen, Lewis King, Steve Murphy, Scott Trigg-Turner.

Change: Matt Wass, Jack Linden, Freya Levy.

Try: Billington (38′), Levy (55′), Linden (60′, 74′).

Objectives: Trigg-Turner (0/1), Owen (2/3).

Wigan Warriors: Chris Greenhalgh, Nathan Roberts, Declan Roberts, Adam Rigby, Phil Roberts.

Change: Martin Lane, Toby Burton-Carter, Daniel Dutson.

Try: D. Roberts (19′, 26′), N. Roberts (22′).

Objectives: D. Roberts (1/3).