Wigan Warriors have climbed up to fifth place in the Super League table by holding on to edge out Hull FC 13-12 at the DW Stadium this evening.
First blood went the way of the home side as Matty Smith helped to pick out Joel Tomkins, who in turn burst over the line for the first score of the contest inside the opening 10 minutes.
Smith stepped up to kick the extras, taking him just two short of a career landmark of 350 match points, although it was not until shortly before the interval that the next key moment of the game occurred.
Having opted to go for goal with a penalty, Smith opened up an eight-point advantage for the Cherry and Whites, before a 40-yard burst down the touchline from Tomkins allowed Dan Sarginson to cross over for another first-half try.
Hull were desperately trying to get a foothold in the contest, and they did exactly that shortly after the restart when Fetuli Talanoa capitalised on a drop ball to reduce the arrears somewhat.
There was to be no comeback, however, as Smith kicked over a drop goal in front of the sticks to extend the advantage a little further, and despite Callum Lancaster's late attempt to drag his side back into it, Hull were unable to find a dramatic twist in the dying stages.
Lee Radford's men, still with just the one win this season, are now tied with rivals Hull Kingston Rovers on two points at the bottom of the early standings.
Daniel Lewis
