Noah Hodkinson hat-trick helps Wigan Warriors return to winning ways with Bradford Bulls victory

Following last week’s 23-6 defeat at Warrington Wolves, Peet shuffled his side with three changes. Hodkinson came onto the wing in place of the injured Liam Marshall, while George Marsden and Josh Cartwright were both handed first-team debuts.

Wigan made a fast start and opened the scoring after just five minutes. Brad O’Neill fired a looping pass out wide for Zach Eckersley, who crossed for his 18th try in just his 13th appearance across all competitions this season. Adam Keighran was unable to convert, leaving the score at 4-0.

The Warriors doubled their lead eight minutes later with a stunning length-of-the-field attack. Keighran burst clear down the right edge before finding the supporting Jai Field, who raced away to finish off an excellent 80-metre move. Keighran added the extras to make it 10-0.

Wigan continued to dominate and added a third try midway through the half. Bradford rushed out of the line searching for an intercept, but Jake Wardle held his composure and fed Hodkinson, who darted over in the corner for his first try. Keighran again missed from wide out.

Only two minutes later, the hosts struck again. Debutant Marsden produced a superb pass to release Hodkinson down the left flank, and the winger unselfishly sent Field over for his second of the afternoon. Keighran converted to extend Wigan’s lead to 20-0.

Bradford responded in the 33rd minute when Zac Fulton raced onto a clever Chris Atkin grubber kick, with the video referee awarding the try. Atkin converted to reduce the deficit to 20-6.

However, Wigan restored full control before the break. Patrick Mago produced a brilliant offload close to the line for O’Neill to crash over, and Keighran’s conversion gave the Warriors a commanding 26-6 half-time advantage.

The home side picked up where they left off after the restart. Jack Farrimond sliced through the Bradford defence before delicately dinking the ball over the top for Hodkinson to collect and score his second try of the game. Keighran converted to make it 32-6.

The afternoon also provided a memorable moment for another academy graduate as Cartwright entered the action for his first-team debut, replacing Keighran on the wing, with Eckersley moving into the centres.

Wigan suffered a brief injury scare when Ethan Havard left the field for a head injury assessment in the 61st minute, though the prop later passed his HIA and returned to action ahead of next week’s Challenge Cup semi-final against St Helens.

Bradford grabbed a consolation score with 12 minutes remaining as Ethan Ryan finished in the corner, although Atkin was unable to convert.

The final word belonged to Hodkinson. In the 77th minute, the youngster completed a dream afternoon by finishing in the corner for his hat-trick, before confidently converting his own try from the touchline to cap an outstanding personal display.

Bradford added one final late try through Ryan’s second of the match, but it did little to spoil an encouraging afternoon for Wigan, whose young stars played a major role in a much-needed return to winning ways.

Wigan: Jai Field; Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Noah Hodkinson; Jack Farrimond, George Marsden; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Ollie Partington. Subs: Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Sam Eseh, Josh Cartwright. 18th man: Taylor Kerr.

Tries: Eckersley, Field (2), Hodkinson (3), O’Neill | Goals: Keighran 4/6, Hodkinson 1/1

Bradford: Caleb Aekins; Greg Eden, Ed Chamberlain, Guy Armitage, Ethan Ryan; Chris Atkin, Ben McNamara; Brandon Douglas, Mitch Souter, Loghan Lewis, Dan Russell, Zac Fulton, Will Gardiner. Subs: Andy Ackers, Sam Hallas, Jamie Gill, Eliot Peposhi. 18th man: Leon Ruan.

Tries: Fulton, Ryan (2) | Goals: Atkin 1/3

Referee: Aaron Moore | Attendance: 13,362