Super League: York Knights 20-72 Wigan Warriors – Joy Field and Noah Hodgkinson hit hat-tricks

Betfred Super League

York (0) 20

Try: Hunter (2), Harris, Galliano Aim: Bennison (2)

Wigan (44) 72

Try: Esseh, Wardle (2), Hodgkinson (3), Keighran, Field (3), Nsemba, French, Farimond Aim: Keghran (10)

Joy Field and Noah Hodgkinson both scored hat-tricks as Wigan Warriors beat York Knights at the LNER Community Stadium.

The visitors scored four times in 15 minutes and led 44-0 at the break as they outplayed York and punished personal errors.

Sam Esseh, Joe Wardle (twice), Adam Keighran, Junior Nsemba, Bevan French and Jack Farrimond all featured for Wigan, who climbed to fourth in the Super League table.

But York scored four times without reply in a frantic final 10 minutes, through Cody Hunter (twice), Liam Harris and Scott Galliano.

Esseh touched down within the first minute to establish the Warriors’ early dominance. Six minutes later, Wardle powered over for the second time after a quick play from left to right. Keighran converted twice.

Wigan scored twice more before the 15-minute mark, Hodkinson crossing into the left corner after a more effective catch and pass. The corner was too tight for Keighran, but he crossed himself moments later and converted the fourth try.

Hodkinson’s second score of the afternoon was one of the tries of the season. After a York attack, Field put his kick away before timing it perfectly for an easy touchdown. Keaghran converted from close range.

Field scored twice in the final 10 minutes of the half, with both sides of the ensemble capitalizing on a loose pass to race clear and unstoppable crosses.

Five minutes from the break, Field and Hodkinson completed their hat-trick with two more quick counter-attacks. Both were ruthless moves that gave Keighran the advantage kick, which he dispatched.

The Frenchman added another before 50 minutes, meeting his own probing kick to touch down at the last minute.

The floodgates showed no sign of closing, Wardle adding his second and Farrimond crossing to extend the lead.

With a record score showing increasing potential, York finally got a foothold, scoring four tries in quick succession. John Bennison kicked two successfully, which eventually cut the deficit to 52.

York: Matafa, Galliano, Wood, Williams, Nofoaluma, Hunter, Harris, Martin, Inman, Vaughn, Field, Reynolds, Thompson

exchange: Balmforth, Va’a, Hingano, Bennison

Wigan: Field, Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle, Hodkinson, Farimond, Smith, Esseh, O’Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Farrell, Partington

exchange: French, Ellis, Margo, McDermott