Raper's youngsters show their maturity
Swinton 12 Wigan 7
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Your support makes all the difference.The bell may not yet have tolled for Wigan's senior names but coach Stuart Raper has sounded an ominous warning that he is ready to ring in the new breed of talent at the JJB Stadium.
Wigan's youngsters coped admirably without five of their senior colleagues, brushing aside lowly Swinton yesterday with flashes of instinctive natural talent now reinforced by a rapidly emerging maturity.
The likes of Andy Farrell, Mick Cassidy, Terry O'Connor and Brian Carney will all be back in the selection frame over the next fortnight. But Raper insisted no places were guaranteed after fine displays from Gareth Hock, Sean O'Loughlin, Martin Aspinwall and Luke Robinson sealed a place in tomorrow's Challenge Cup semi-final draw at the Millennium Stadium.
"These guys aren't just filling in for injured players,'' said a satisfied Warriors coach. "They are staking serious claims for first team spots. I'm very happy with the way the young players are doing. But what pleased me the most today was how we kept our consistency for the full 80 minutes.''
After a lacklustre start to the season, Wigan entered this game desperate to prove themselves. But that desperation showed only too clearly as their eagerness to run up a big score resulted in a succession of forced passes and wasted possession that kept them off the scoresheet for 23 minutes.
Their worst case scenario came true in the 10th minute as Chris Hough's kick had Kris Radlinski floundering and Rob Russell pounced on the loose ball to open the scoring.
But, just as the Lions had their tails up, Wigan found their rhythm to run in six tries in 15 minutes and secure an unassailable 24-point half-time lead.
Their nerves were settled by Great Britain centre David Hodgson who wrestled his way over well from short range. Then a combination of slick handling and pace exposed a tiring defence to lay on scores for Brett Dallas, Robinson, Hock, Paul Johnson and Jamie Ainscough.
The second half was a predictable procession, with Ricky Bibey, Mark Smith, Adrian Lam, Aspinwall and O'Loughlin all scoring while Hodgson and Dallas doubled their tallies.
But Swinton's dedication in defeat was admirable and was rewarded when Andy Leatham crashed over late on.
Swinton: English; Roach, Tassell, Hassan, Thorpe; Hough, Cannon; Leatham, Baraclough, Knox, Wingfield, Cussion, Russell. Substitutes used: Hudson, Johnson, Cheetham, Ellison.
Wigan: Radlinski; Dallas, Aspinwall, Hodgson, Ainscough; Robinson, Lam; Sculthorpe, Newton, C Smith, Hock, Johnson, O'Loughlin. Substitutes used: Bibey, M Smith, Wild, O'Neil.
Referee: K Kirkpatrick (Warrington).
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