Eight-try Wigan thump Toulouse to move into second

Betfred Super League

Wigan (24) 48

Tries: Eckersley 2, French, Marshall 2, Hodkinson, Eseh, Field Goals: Smith 8

Toulouse (18) 18

Tries: Ulberg, Tropis, Rouge Goals: Rouge 3

Try machine Zach Eckersley and Liam Marshall both scored twice as Wigan Warriors overpowered Toulouse Olympique 48-18 to make it 11 wins in a row to climb to second in Super League.

Eckersley took his try tally for the season to 33 and Bevan French was also magnificent, scoring once and creating another for Jai Field.

Harry Smith kicked eight goals from eight, while Noah Hodkinson and Sam Eseh also went over for the relentless Warriors, who went up through the gears in the second half.

Toulouse had their moments and fought back to level 18-18 just before half-time as they scored through Paul Ulberg, Romeo Tropis and Cesar Rouge.

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Wigan had suffered shock home losses to Castleford Tigers and Huddersfield Giants this season and Toulouse opened the scoring after just four minutes when Ulberg cut inside from the right to go over.

But the hosts responded in the 10th minute when Eckersley punched a hole in the Toulouse line to register their opening score.

Wigan’s second try eight minutes later was all about the brilliance of French. The Australian half-back jinked his way over for a fine try to score for the fourth successive game and take his points tally for Wigan to 501.

Toulouse conceded too many penalties and Wigan crossed for their third try when they passed the ball along the line for Marshall to score on the left.

Wigan also displayed frailties and Toulouse cut their lead to six points on 29 minutes when they scored from only their second attack when Brendan Hands played a grubber kick through for Tropis to touch down.

And four minutes later they added another try when Rouge’s kick came off Smith and the Frenchman collected the ball to score.

Wigan responded two minutes before half-time when Hodkinson powered over on the right for his 15th Super League try of the season.

Again Toulouse conceded a needless penalty when they had Wigan under pressure, allowing the Warriors to move upfield with Hodkinson playing the ball inside for Eckersley to score his second try of the game.

The home side put some daylight between themselves and Toulouse on 51 minutes when Eseh came off the bench to power through three tackles to score under the posts.

Brad O’Neill was sin-binned four minutes later for a dangerous tackle, but there was no stopping Wigan and their 12 men held firm before French broke and kicked for Field to score.

Wigan were rampant and Marshall crossed for his second try on 78 minutes to complete a comprehensive victory.

Wigan: Field; Hodkinson, Eckersley, O’Loughlin, Marshall; French, Smith; Havard, O’Neill, Thompson, Walters, Partington, Ellis.

Interchanges: Mago, McDermott, Eseh, Kerr.

Toulouse: Polselli; Laguerre, Tropis, Quai-Ward, Ulberg; Lacans, Rouge; Butler, Hands, Belmas, Stefani, Grossemy, Cator.

Interchanges: Marion, Roumanos, Wallace, Garrigues.

Referee: Tom Grant.