Wigan storm to Super League’s League Leaders’ Shield and remain on treble course

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Wigan Warriors clinched the second leg of a potential sensational treble by winning Super League’s League Leaders’ Shield on Friday

Wigan Warriors clinched Super League’s top spot and the League Leaders’ Shield after a final-round 50-12 victory over Catalans Dragons, meaning Matt Peet’s side remain on course for a domestic treble.  

Having clinched Challenge Cup glory in May at Wembley with victory over Hull KR, Wigan lifted their second piece of silverware on Friday via a dominant home success over the Dragons.

Warriors scored nine tries through Harry Smith, Liam Marshall (two), Brad O’Neill, the retiring Liam Farrell, Austin Daniel, Jai Field, Zach Eckersley and Adam Keighran. Keighran also added 14 points off the kicking tee.

The only other side capable of claiming top spot and the League Leaders’ Shield had been Leeds Rhinos, and owing to their far greater points difference, a victory over Hull FC would have been enough had Wigan slipped up, but Peet’s side ensured that was never likely to happen. In any case, Leeds fell to a shock 18-12 home defeat to Hull on Friday.

Wigan will now seek to finish their season by clinching a treble with Super League Grand Final success at Old Trafford on October 3, having suffered final defeat last season to Hull KR. They and Leeds will have next week off as the play-offs begin, before contesting respective semi-finals at home on September 25 and 26.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Wigan Warriors win their sixth League Leaders’ Shield and lift the trophy once again

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Liam Farrell scored a try for Wigan Warriors having announced his impending retirement

Keighran: We’re going into the Play-Offs with plenty of momentum

Wigan Warriors’ player of the match Adam Keighran told Sky Sports:

“It was good to finish like that. The scoreboard is nice but it’s the way we went about it.

“We spoke about going into the Play-Offs with a bit of momentum and that was the perfect way to do it.

“We’ve still got things to fix up and that’s what we’ll talk about next week, but it’s good to have that and still win games like we did today.

Adam Keighran and Liam Farrell scored tries in rampant Wigan’s victory

“It was a group decision [Liam Farrell’s late conversion attempt]. Someone said it in the huddle. With the career that he has had, you want to give blokes like him opportunities to do that.

“It’s such a credit to Faz, he’s unbelievable, the leadership that he’s got, he’s such a genuine bloke and I’m glad we can get a result like this and he can go out and lift the shield.”

Farrell: Winning League Leaders’ Shield doesn’t get recognition it deserves

Wigan Warriors’ Liam Farrell to Sky Sports:

“It [League Leaders’ Shield] doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. We spoke about it early in pre-season as something you want to knock off.

“You are slowly chipping away at it throughout the year. We’ve got there and this is a great end to the year and to do it like we did it tonight is great.

“I don’t know the answer to that [is tonight final game?]. It’s just all been about getting back to being fit. I’ve ticked that box. I had the conversation with Matty Peet, I said: ‘Look, I’m there if you need me’.

“I didn’t know how long I was going to play, I asked him before kick-off and he said 50 minutes, I was expecting about 10.

Farrell, Harry Smith and Jai Field were among the scorers as Wigan notched nine

“I wouldn’t like to be picking a player of the year this season. There’s been some great players and in championship teams you need a lot of good players and we’ve got a few of them.

“I was lucky enough to get over. Funny, I scored on my debut and then again on the final game of my career.”

How to watch on Sky Sports

Frantic Friday saw the Super League play-off positions get finalised

Betfred Super League Play-Offs:

Friday September 18

Eliminator 1, Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards – (loser eliminated) – 8pm (Sky Sports)

Saturday September 19

Eliminator 2, Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR – (loser eliminated) – 5.30pm (Sky Sports)

Semi-finals

Friday September 25

Semi-Final 1 – Leeds Rhinos vs highest-ranked Eliminator winner (with the winning team progressing to the Grand Final) – 8pm (Sky Sports)

Saturday September 26

Semi-Final 2 – Wigan Warriors vs lowest-ranked Eliminator winner (with the winning team progressing to the Grand Final) – 5:30pm (Sky Sports)

Grand Final

Saturday October 3

Betfred Super League Grand Final – 6pm (Sky Sports)