Warriors Academy beat the Bulls

• Match report as Wigan Warriors Academy beat Bradford Bulls Academy at Robin Park Arena.
• Wigan scored seven tries, including a brace from Finlay Yeomans in the win.
• FT | Wigan Warriors 36-12 Bradford Bulls.

Wigan Warriors Academy scored seven tries to beat Bradford Bulls Academy 36-12 at Robin Park Arena on Saturday afternoon.

An emphatic start to the contest saw the Warriors score three tries in 19 minutes to build a 16-0 lead which was maintained until half-time.

Despite Bradford scoring twice in the second half, the Warriors continued to dominate with four more tries to seal a comfortable home win.

Report

The Warriors started strongly and opened the scoring after five minutes when Finlay Yeomans capitalized on a Bradford handling error to run over from close range. Noah Hodkinson added the extras to give the Warriors a 6-0 lead.

Steady defensive work from the Warriors denied Bradford an immediate reply before Wigan added a second try in the 12th minute when play was worked for F. Yeomans who burst through a gap on the right wing to score. The lead remained 10-0 after the conversion attempt went over the posts.

Despite a handling error that returned possession to Bradford from the restart, the Warriors saw the defensive set before a third try was scored when quick hands created space for Thomas Bridge to dive in the corner. A successful kick by Hodkinson put the Warriors 16-0 ahead in the 17th minute.

A threatening run from Hodkinson saw the full-back cover more than 60 yards before being stopped just short of the line. An attempted pass out of bounds was intercepted by the visitors, who held on to concede a fourth try.

Despite several sets in the middle of the Bradford half, the Warriors were unable to extend their lead as the teams went into halftime on a 16-0 run.

Bradford were penalized for throwing wide from the restart, however, the Warriors could not capitalize as a handling error at the second tackle handed possession back to the visitors.

The Warriors added a fourth try on 43 minutes when a patient set piece saw Jack Purtill break free from a tackle to burst into the right corner. The lead remained at 20-0 following a missed shot.

Bull reduced the gap on 48 minutes when George Rayner put down his own shot before Samuel Ackroyd added from the tee.

Two converted tries in three minutes saw the Warriors extend their lead to 32-6 on the hour mark. First, Lukas Mason was in support to receive Jack Purtill’s offload and crash over before Mike Porter came through the line to slide over as F. Yeomans added the extra.

Despite Bradford crossing for a second try with 10 minutes remaining, the Warriors scored the final points of the contest when quick hands between Austin Daniel and F. Yeomans brought down Harlen Smith in the corner. The win keeps the Warriors top of the table with four rounds remaining.

Wigan Warriors: Noah Hodkinson, Harlen Smith, Finlay Yeomans, Austin Daniel, Thomas Bridge, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Purtill, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Reece Rowcroft, Dylan Kelly-Duffy, George O’Loughlin, Lukas Mason, Kalum Rathbone.

Change: Hamza Butt, Taylor Kerr, Koen Perry, Michael Porter.

18th player: Leo Wadsworth.

Try: F.Yeomans (5′, 12′), Bridge (17′), Purtill (43′), Mason (57′), Porter (60′), Smith (77′).

Objectives: Hodkinson (2/4), F. Yeomans (2/3).

Bradford Bulls: Connor Sayner, George McKinley, Samuel Spencer, Harvey Duckworth, Demir Acarer, Samuel Ackroyd, George Rayner, Jamie Gill, Lewis Owens, Alfie Leake, Jacob Bateman, Riley Sunderland, Frederick Butler.

Change: Henry Welsh, Joe Bullough, Isaac Oughton, Jacob Dibden.

18th player: Baby Lucas.

Try: Rayner (48′), (69′)

Objectives: Ackroyd (2/2).