Williams hopes Cup distraction will help Warriors

George Williams hopes the distraction of Wembley will help Wigan make up lost ground at the summit of the Super League table.
George Williams in action against St Helens on FridayGeorge Williams in action against St Helens on Friday
George Williams in action against St Helens on Friday

There was no change to the top-three at the weekend with all of them winning their games.

Warriors, who beat St Helens 25-0, are still third in the ladder on 36 points behind Warrington (37) and Hull FC (38) – who meet in the Challenge Cup Final this Saturday.

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With four games to go before the play-offs, Williams has not given up hope of overhauling their rivals and claiming the league leaders’ shield.

And while he would much rather be playing at Wembley this weekend, he hopes they can take some positives from their absence in the showcase decider.

When Wigan won the Cup in 2013, they lost their following two matches.

And that trend continued with Leeds, who lost four games after Wembley success in 2013 and three matches immediately after last year’s triumph in London.

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Williams said: “We’ve put the pressure on Hull FC again. We need to keep chasing them, we’re only two points behind and we get to play them again before the play-offs.

“We’ve seen in the past how teams can find it hard after the Cup Final. They’ll be thinking of Wembley and their bodies will be tired after a hard game – hopefully they’ll both drop after it.”

Williams put the crowning glory on Friday’s victory, scoring the final try after Anthony Gelling’s earlier hat-trick.

It was the first time Wigan had whitewashed their fierce rivals since 1989, the year they won the Challenge Cup final 27-0, and came less than a month after a 21-4 humbling at the DW.

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“They did a job on us last time, so it was nice to get one back, and the boys were buzzing after that,” said Williams.

“We’ve been bagged a bit for our attack this season, it was good to score the points but defence wins our games and to keep them to ‘nil’ - after they’ve won seven in a row - was some effort.

“I think the groundsman wet the pitch beforehand and the ball was really slippy - so it was a bit scrappy at times - but we were really pleased to get the win.”