Reigning champions Wigan Warriors cruised to a dominant 38-0 victory over native rivals Leigh Leopards to e book their place within the Tremendous League Grand Closing.
Wigan have been medical within the first half and pounced on each Leigh error, a Liam Marshall double, a Sam Walters effort, plus two conversions and a penalty from Adam Keighran giving the house staff a stable 18-0 lead on the break, leaving the guests with every little thing to do.
The Warriors rapidly made the mountain too large for the Leopards to climb, then rubbed salt within the wounds within the second half, with Walters’ second, a Keighran penalty and sensational Bevan French and Jai Subject particular person efforts cementing a dominant win.
Upon reflection, Leigh will rue an error-strewn efficiency, Wigan’s play-off expertise proving an excessive amount of to deal with for Adrian Lam’s aspect.
Wigan will now head to Previous Trafford to tackle Hull KR on Saturday October 12, the Warriors trying to go back-to-back for the primary time of their historical past, the Robins out to win Tremendous League’s largest prize for the primary time.
Story of the sport
With a packed-out crowd in The Brick Group Stadium, over 20,000 followers creating an electrical environment, the ‘Battle of the Borough’ obtained off to a thunderous begin, however the hosts settled faster and used their big-game expertise to their benefit.
After a knock-on from Matt Moylan making an attempt to catch a kick, Wigan took their alternative within the eleventh minute, a miss cross from Subject to Tremendous League’s prime strive scorer Marshall giving him acres of area to stroll in for the opening attempt to the 4-0 lead.
Indicative of Wigan’s early management over the match was their territory, having six play the balls within the opposition half in comparison with zero for Leigh.
It was Moylan as soon as once more who gave Wigan one other probability which they pounced on, a knock-on from an enormous Keighran sort out ending in Walters utilizing his sheer dimension and energy to stretch over for Wigan’s second within the nineteenth minute, Keighran changing this time to increase their benefit to 10-0.
Leigh began to develop into the encounter however as they regarded like they have been going to attain, Abbas Miski got here up with an enormous try-saving interception, racing downfield and a penalty for offside being transformed into two factors with simply over 10 minutes remaining.
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Wigan dominated Leigh within the first half as Marshall crossed for his second of the night time
That knocked the wind out of the guests’ sails and one other knock-on, this time from Robbie Mulhern, gifted Wigan one other probability which they gladly took, their deadly edge hanging once more for Marshall’s second and a dominant 18-0 lead at half-time.
Leigh’s incapability to present themselves an opportunity continued early within the second half after they knocked on from the primary sort out, the error leading to Walters going via a gaping gap for his second, Keighran tacking on two extra for 24-0.
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Walters scores his second strive of the night
After a penalty then introduced the rating to 26-0, French confirmed his particular person brilliance to go over with 20 minutes remaining, his dancing footwork then a chip via ending with him diving over, Keighran changing as soon as once more for a commanding 32-0 lead.
With Leigh attempting to see out the rest of the match with out an excessive amount of additional punishment, Subject determined to rub salt within the wounds, his sheer tempo dazzling on the skin to wrap up a 38-0 victory and earn the Warriors’ place at Previous Trafford as soon as once more.
It’s one other clear sheet for Wigan that sends a message to Hull KR forward of their big Grand Closing conflict, first and second from the common season battling it out on the most important stage.
What’s subsequent?
The Tremendous League Grand Closing takes place at Previous Trafford on Saturday October 12, reside on Sky Sports activities.
The match will kick-off at 6pm, with protection on Sky Sports activities from 5pm.
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