Betfred Super League
Bradford (0) 6
Tries: Ackers Goals: Hooley
Wigan (16) 34
Tries: Wardle 2, Keighran, French, McDermott, Kerr Goals: Smith 5
High-flying Wigan Warriors moved alongside Leeds at the top of the Super League table, putting on an outstanding defensive performance to defeat a one-dimensional Bradford Bulls at Odsal.
Following a slow start, Wigan took control of the game with scores from Jake Wardle, Adam Keighran and Bevan French before half-time, as Bradford struggled to generate opportunities.
After the break, the Warriors maintained their dominance as Wardle, Kian McDermott and Jake Kerr added further scores, with Andy Ackers claiming the sole consolation for the home side.
The result strengthens Wigan’s position in second, behind Leeds only on points difference now, while Bradford remain 13th, two points ahead of bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield.
Looking to keep their strong recent record against their hosts intact, Wigan found their rhythm after an attritional opening.
Wardle did the honours, seizing on the loose ball before fighting his way through two weak Bulls tackles to score the first try of the game.
It did not take long for the visitors to extend their lead.
Following an unsuccessful Bradford attack, the Warriors made quick ground up the field. On the final tackle, and with the try line beckoning, French found Keighran who powered over.
Bradford went close to equalising soon after, only for referee Marcus Griffiths to decide that Chris Atkin had been held up over the line after good work from Joe Mellor.
With the game broken up by stoppages and penalties, Wigan had to wait well into the second quarter for their third.
In a pre-worked move, Harry Smith sent a pinpoint kick up for French to chase. The Australian timed his jump perfectly, beating Caleb Aekins to the ball to dot down.
Immediately after the break Wigan thought they had scored again, only to have the try called back with Patrick Mago adjudged to have knocked on in the act of scoring.
Not to be denied for long, the visitors then capitalised on an error from Ackers with Wardle ultimately benefiting as the Bradford defence found itself out of shape.
McDermott then got in on the action, running in untouched as the home defence tired, after quick interplay between Smith and French.
Ackers finally got the Bulls on the board, fighting his way through a series of Wigan tackles, but it was little consolation after a frustrating afternoon.
With the clock winding down, Kerr added a sixth try for the visitors to put gloss on the 18th victory of the season for Matt Peet’s men.
Bradford: Aekins; Okunbor, Russell, Blake, Ryan; Keyes, Atkin; Sutton, Ackers, Lewis, Steinwede, Fulton, Mellor.
Interchanges: Hooley, Gardiner, Peposhi, Gill, Dean.
Wigan: Field; Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Havard, Kerr, Thompson, McDermott, Partington, Ellis.
Interchanges: Mago, Eseh Jr, Cartwright, O’Connor, O’Loughlin.
Referee: Marcus Griffiths.