After 9 months of drama, agony, injury and exertion, it all came down to 80 minutes in the heart of Salford. In my opinion, the two best sides in the Super League this year, certainly the two most attractive rugby sides to watch, Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves, met at Old Trafford last night to battle for the most prestigious prize in British Rugby League. With plenty of W's in the team names, we were always going to be in for an entertaining game, and my word they did not disappoint.
Warrington, after the heartbreak of the Grand Final defeat to Leeds Rhinos just 12 months earlier, were looking to secure their first title since 1955. Considering their recent revival, that they are yet to win the ultimate prize is somewhat surprising. Their star-studded line-up have once again proven themselves up to the test this season, and they would need to perform to their potential if they were to win on the biggest stage. The rather remarkable thing is that not a single Wolves player managed to make it into the Super League Dream Team this year. Lee Briers, Joel Monaghan and Stefan Ratchford have been particularly impressive, and going forward they would be the most potent threat to the Wigan line. In order to deal with Wigan attacks, Simon Grix and Micky Higham would have to be organised and strong to repel the Warriors. Today would also be a very special day for forward Adrian Morley. Starting on the bench, the 36-year-old would be playing his last game for Warrington, after agreeing a deal to take him to his hometown club, Salford Red Devils, next year, for what would possibly be his final season as a professional. After 6 years of excellent service, spanning over 100 games, few Warrington fans will forget him in a hurry.
Warrington's route to the Grand Final in the play-offs was hardly straightforward. They began with a home tie against defending champions Leeds Rhinos, the very side that knocked them out in last year's showpiece. Here, home advantage, and an extra year's experience paid dividends for the Wire, who ran out comfortable 40-20 winners. With Huddersfield being beaten in the other qualifying play-off, Warrington, having finished 2nd in the regular season, recieved the Club Call, meaning that they could select their semi-final opponents. With both Huddersfield and Leeds winning their preliminary semis, it meant that the Wire only had a choice between the league leaders and the reigning champions. Interestingly, despite having beaten Leeds just prior, they chose Huddersfield for their semi final. In a tense, edgy game, Warrington took their chances when required to ensure that it was they that reached their second consecutive Super League Grand Final, winning by 30-22.
Wigan, in contrast, were not looking to rectify any mistakes from the campaign. Rather their only aim was to complete the double, and join an elite group of clubs to have achieved that feat, the last of which was St Helens in 2006. Having claimed the Challenge Cup in August, after a superb shut-out victory over Hull FC at Wembley, they wanted to add the Super League to that success. Going forward, players like Josh Charnley, Sam Tomkins and Sean O'Loughlin have all had exceptional seasons, the latter being shortlisted for the Man of Steel award, and all would be expected to contribute massively to any success. Defensively, Liam Farrell and Darrell Goulding would need to be at their best to keep out a free-scoring Warrington attack. Just like the Wire, this was a special occasion for a couple of the Warriors' players. Sam Tomkins, the Wigan full-back, has been in the headlines in recent weeks, after his decision to leave Britain for the NRL side New Zealand Warriors at the end of the season. At a reported fee of £700,000, the full back has become the most expensive player in Rugby League history. This incredible when you compare it to the £85 Million that Real Madrid have forked out for the services of Gareth Bale. It would also be a momentous day for long-serving winger Pat Richards. After a Wigan career spanning 7 years and over 150 appearances, the 31 year old will also be returning to the NRL, choosing to join up with old club Wests Tigers. A true Warriors club legend, his legacy at the club is assured, having masterminded Wigan's last Super League success in 2010.
The Warriors' journey to Old Trafford was no less complicated than that of their opponents. In fact, it was almost identical. Having played a spirited Huddersfield side in their qualification play-off, the Warriors managed to overcome their Yorkshire opponents, winning by 22-8. After Warrington's Club Choice, and Leeds's narrow win over St Helens in their preliminary semi, it meant that Wigan had the reigning champions to play in their semi-final. In another tight and nervy affair, Wigan held their nerve in the big game, dealing Leeds their first semi-final defeat in three years. A 22-12 victory ensured that Wigan would return Old Trafford for the first time in 3 years, since the scene of their last famous victory in 2010.
However, statistics between the two sides did not favour the side from Greater Manchester. Warrington finished the league season above Wigan by some 6 points, and were unbeaten against the Warriors in the league, winning at the Halliwell Jones after drawing at the DW at the start of the season. Whilst some claim that statistics count for nothing in sport, I often disagree. It tends to indicate how teams perform in pressure matches, and will inevitably play on the minds of both sets of players involved, with one feeling invincible, and the other feeling pressurised to break the bad spell of results. Starting the game, Wigan will have known that Warrington have historically performed better against them, and as a result, started brightly. Whilst the opening 10 minutes passed without points, it did not go without incident. In only the fourth minute, Blake Green was left bloodied and battered by what appeared to be a robust challenge. Having consulted the video, it was revealed that Ben Westwood punched the Wigan man, leaving him prostrate on the floor, requiring oxygen to continue. After a few minutes, Green, sporting a black eye, re-entered the fray, and the officials placed Westwood on report. Having seen the incident a few times, I think that the Warrington defender was fortunate not to be sin-binned at least, which would have left his side vulnerable.
After the game had settled, Wigan opened the scoring with a Pat Richards penalty. In the early stages, the Greater Manchester side were in the ascendency, and looked like extended their flimsy 2 point advantage. However, a mid-period Warrington revival turned the game on its head. Three tries in 5 minutes left the Wire 16-2 up as half time approached. First, Joel Monaghan produced a fantastic catch from a Lee Briers crossfield kick to touch down in the corner to hand Warrington the lead. This score came completely against the run of play, and started an incredible period of dominance for the Wolves. Just three minutes later, Simon Grix capitalised on an uncharacteristic error from the usually dependable Pat Richards, before powering over. Stefan Ratchford then converted the try to further extend the advantage. Only another 2 minutes had passed when Ben Westwood, who was fortunate to be on the pitch, smashed through the Wigan defence from close range. Another Ratchford conversion left the score at 16-2, and left the Wigan fans and players stunned. They desperately needed to regroup, and they needed a leader to take the game by the scruff of its neck.
The moments leading up to half time were disastrous for the Wolves however. Joel Monaghan, who had been one of the most influential players for Warrington in the first half, had to be removed from the field on a stretcher, after a nasty looking injury. This was compounded by arguably the most important moment of the match, which occurred just 2 minutes before the break. A moment that saw the momentum swing once again, as a sweeping Wigan move saw Darrell Goulding cross in the corner. Though Richards missed the conversion attempt, Wigan will have gone into half time much happier at 16-6 than the 16-2 that it was just seconds earlier. This momentum shift was even more evident after the break, when a quite incredible turn of events saw the game turn 180 degrees. Less than 10 minutes after the restart, Wigan had closed the gap even further. Sloppy Warrington defending allowed dummy half Michael McIlorum to squirm through to reduce the deficit to a single score. With the Wire now well and truly on the ropes, Wigan pressed forwards to try an regain the lead. Just four minutes later, they had it. A little grubber kick from Darrell Goulding was seized upon by Josh Charnley, and the predatory finisher had little trouble finding his way to the try line. After a brief discussion with the video ref, the try was awarded, and the conversion handed Wigan a remarkable 18-16 lead.
As the game ticked into its final quarter, Warrington looked every inch a beaten side. Stefan Ratchford was also forced from the field with an injury, depriving the Wolves of yet another important creative player. Wigan landed the killer punch with just 15 minutes to go, as Blake Green caught Adrian Morley out with a dummy, taking advantage to go over under the posts. The conversion meant that the game was now 2 scores away from Warrington, and effectively out of their hands. Warrington looked shell-shocked, and were hit with a final sucker punch just 5 minutes from time. The fairytale ending for Pat Richards, the Wigan veteran touching down in the corner before converting to rubber stamp Wigan's double winning season. The perfect way to go out, and few would deny the winger the success that his performances have more than merited. However, the Harry Sunderland Man of the Match Trophy belonged to Blake Green. Having started the game flat on his back, having been walloped by Westwood, the Wigan half-back played himself into the game, before touching down the crucial try. An excellent performance, and well deserved accolade. With that came the last action, meaning that the scoring finished at 30-16.
Few that had seen the scoreline at half time would have believed that this outcome was possible. An incredible 28 unanswered points from Wigan, including a complete shut-out in the second half, meant that the Warriors deservedly regained the Super League trophy. Wigan's trophy cabinet at the DW Stadium will be rather full at the minute, as the Warriors have done the Challenge Cup and Super League double, and the football side currently hold the FA Cup. For Warrington, their 58 year wait for the Super League continues, but if it is any consolation, the Wire are getting closer, and have every chance of claiming the ultimate prize next year. This game was a pulsating and enthralling advert for the Super League, and a microcosm of the season as a whole: exciting, unpredictable, full-blooded, passionate and pure entertainment.
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