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 Remaining.
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 group a strong 18-0 lead on the break, leaving the guests with every part to do.
The Warriors shortly made the mountain too massive 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 Discipline 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 seeking 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 ambiance, the ‘Battle of the Borough’ bought 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 Discipline to Tremendous League’s prime attempt scorer Marshall giving him acres of area to stroll in for the opening try 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 likelihood 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.
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Sam Walters powers over to attain one other attempt for Wigan and prolong their lead within the semi-final
Leigh began to develop into the encounter however as they seemed 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.
That knocked the wind out of the guests’ sails and one other knock-on, this time from Robbie Mulhern, gifted Wigan one other likelihood which they gladly took, their deadly edge putting once more for Marshall’s second and a dominant 18-0 lead at half-time.
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Wigan dominated Leigh within the first half as Marshall crossed for his second of the evening
Leigh’s incapability to provide 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.
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.
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Walters scores his second attempt of the night
With Leigh making an attempt to see out the rest of the match with out an excessive amount of additional punishment, Discipline determined to rub salt within the wounds, his sheer tempo dazzling on the surface 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 enormous Grand Remaining conflict, first and second from the common season battling it out on the largest stage.
What they mentioned
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Wigan Warriors Matt Peet displays on a dominate show to arrange the ultimate in opposition to Hull KR
Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet on Sky Sports activities…
“We’re very pleased. You’re always nervous coming to a semi-final. Leigh have been in good form.
“I knew if we did not get the beginning proper, something may occur, so I used to be happy the way in which we attacked the beginning of the sport, significantly. We managed it nicely.
“You come expecting a two-point game and you have to do a lot right, but we all know, if you do that and with the start to the second half, they weren’t going to make a game of it.
“It was actually higher than I anticipated. Defensively we did lots proper, we have been extra related and managed it.
“I also liked the way we expressed ourselves with the ball, but if you don’t get your defence right, your strengths can be your weaknesses.”
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Leigh Leopard’s head coach Adrian Lam displays on a tough evening the place his aspect have been dominated by Wigan
Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam on Sky Sports activities…
“Bit of a nightmare, wasn’t it?
“The way in which that we turned the season round to get right here then that first half, we put ourselves beneath stress and we have not been like that for a very long time.
“Uncharacteristic, I can’t put a finger on it, but if you don’t complete against Wigan, six penalties against, you put pressure on yourselves and that is what happens.
“It has been a rollercoaster however we bought it proper in the direction of the top.
“We took this club the furthest they have been in the Super League era so I am really proud of that.
“They’ve helped the DNA of this membership change and from three years in the past within the Championship to 80 minutes away from the Grand Remaining, is an unbelievable journey and so they have all performed an enormous half in that.”
What’s next?
The Super League Grand Final takes place at Old Trafford on Saturday October 12, live on Sky Sports.
The match will kick-off at 6pm, with coverage on Sky Sports from 5pm.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra dwell sport this 12 months at no additional price. Discover out extra right here.
