Wigan Warriors conquer the competition to win their sixth Super League title

Wigan Warriors win their sixth Super League title after defeating the French outfit Catalans Dragons 10-2 at Old Trafford.

The 26^th Super League Grand Final had just the one try that came courtesy of Liam Marshall, whilst the Dragons were battling with only 12-men on the pitch.

St. Helens have dominated the sport since 2018, but the Warriors have managed to sandwich their rivals success by ending a five year wait tonight.

Old Trafford erupted when the boot of Harry Smith got the game underway, and from the moment Catalans first got their hands on the ball, they looked the more threatening.

The Dragons saw the majority of the early ball, creating small chances for themselves in good areas. However, their positive start hit a major bump when their centre Adam Keighran was sent to the sin-bin in the 19^th minute for a dangerous tackle.

Five minutes later it was Wigan who opened the scoring.

After being awarded another penalty, they opted to take the two points on offer, and Smith lapped them up. The score brought the warriors fans to life, as they started to believe that a sixth Super League and a 23^rd all time title was on the cards.

Wigan grew into the game after that, but they couldn’t quite shake the gutsy Dragons who levelled the game just before half time, after receiving their own penalty in front of the posts.

The first half was a real war of attrition. Both teams were sussing each other out and the defences were superb. There were try saving tackles from the likes of Tom Johnstone, but all together not too much going forward from either side, which led to the football like score of 2-2 after 40 minutes.

The second half started in similar fashion, with the sides seeing great field position but not much end product.

However, the game changer came in the 43^rd minute. Catalans’ Tom Davies was shown a yellow card for a professional foul on Liam Marshall, the second time in the game that the French side had to play with 12 men, and this time it would prove to be too much.

For the next 10 minutes it was break after break for Wigan as they continued to pierce the Catalans line. Only scrambling defence could stop them until the Warriors brilliance escalated.

After a series of late offloads that puzzled the defence, the ball found its way to Liam Marshall, who was ready in place to stroll over the line for the games only try.

Moments later the Warriors stamped their authority on the game, converting another penalty to open up a two score lead at 10-2. At this point the Dragons looked a little lost, their attacking game had abandoned them and their defence lost its shape.

The Warriors fans were in fine voice, and why wouldn’t they be. They nearly had Old Trafford to themselves being the majority of the 58,137 inside the ground. Furthermore, they were watching their side close out the game in excellent fashion. They dominated the second half as they had done to teams all year, and they were about to be crowned Super League champions once again.

Catalans threw all their energy at Wigan’s line but the league leaders held firm as they had done all night, and when the final whistle went, it was champaign and fireworks for Super League’s best team in 2023, Wigan Warriors.

 

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