Wigan Warriors advanced to the Super League Grand Final with an 18-6 win over Leigh Leopards in a thrilling semi-final, marked by a week of controversy. The match, which had been in doubt due to a dispute over ticket allocations, saw the Warriors battle through challenging weather conditions to seal their third consecutive Grand Final appearance.
The game began with Leigh looking the stronger of the two teams. With a boisterous crowd of nearly 5,000 away supporters urging them on, the Leopards had the edge early on. However, Wigan’s ability to produce their best when it mattered most proved decisive.
Despite a strong opening quarter from Leigh, Wigan capitalized on an error to open the scoring. Adam Keighran pounced on a loose ball, feeding Bevan French who slid over the try line unopposed. Leigh responded well, leveling the scores at 6-6 through Robbie Mulhern, after a brilliant pass from Edwin Ipape. Yet, Wigan’s resilience shone through just before half-time, as two pivotal moments swung the game in their favor.
First, a penalty against Ipape for taking out French off the ball allowed Keighran to put Wigan ahead 8-6. Then, in the dying seconds of the half, a break from deep initiated by French and Jai Field saw French cross for a crucial try, giving the Warriors a 14-6 lead at the break. Those two minutes were described as game-defining by Leigh’s coach Adrian Lam, who admitted that they “broke his heart.”
The second half saw Leigh continue to pressure the Warriors, but Wigan’s defense stood firm. The turning point came with just 15 minutes left, when Leigh’s Owen Trout broke free but was denied a certain try by a world-class tackle from Jai Field. That moment seemed to take the wind out of the Leopards’ sails, and Wigan was able to close out the game with minimal difficulty.
With the victory, Wigan’s pursuit of a third straight Super League title remains alive, and they will face either Hull KR or St Helens in the Grand Final next Saturday. Despite not quite reaching the heights of their historic 2024 campaign, which saw them claim an unprecedented four trophies, the Warriors are still the team to beat. Under the guidance of head coach Matt Peet, Wigan is proving once again that they know how to rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest.
