Super League – Wigan secure first trophy in eight years
It may not be the most prestigious prize in Super League, but Wigan will be delighted to end their barren run of eight years without a trophy by securing the league leaders shield with a 38-18 victory at Hull KR on Sunday.
The Warriors deserved the trophy as they have been by far the most consistent side this season, and the advantage that first place gives them going into the Super League play-offs puts them in a fantastic position to claim the Super League winner’s trophy that all Wigan fans have been dreaming of for the last 12 years.
However, halfway through their clash with the Robins it looked as though the hosts were about to spoil the Warriors party. Cantering to a 14-0 lead at half-time, the match looked all but over until former Wigan scrum-half Michael Dobson inspired a second-half comeback from Hull which saw them cross over for three early tries to take an 18-14 lead.
But, as all champions seem to do, the Warriors regrouped and ran over three tries of their own in the last 20 minutes as they really turned on the style to give their supporters a day to remember. Pat Richards yet again was at the heart of most of Wigan’s quirky attacking play, crossing over for two tries himself – that’s 27 for the season - and playing a huge role in Sam Tomkins, Joel Tomkins and Josh Charnley scores. Stefan Marsh also got his name on the score sheet with a late solo effort.
While Wigan made sure of top spot, the other play-off places will not be finalised until the final round of fixtures in a fortnight's time.
St Helens and Warrington are locked together on 38 points, and it looks as though points’ difference will determine who gets home advantage for the qualifying semi-final. There’s a winner-takes-all clash at the KC Stadium next weekend between Hull and Leeds to decide the initial opposition for Wigan at the DW Stadium.
Huddersfield continued their good form as they thrashed Salford 52-4 and now only require a win next weekend to secure fifth place.
There were scenes of jubilation at the Grattan Stadium as Bradford finally ended their club record 12-match losing run by coming from behind to beat Wakefield 38-28, unfortunately for the Bulls other results didn’t go their way and will miss out on the play-offs.
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