It began as one of the most dramatic final nights in Super League history but in the end, we finished pretty much as we started. The League Leaders’ Shield and top spot could have gone to Wigan, Catalans or St Helens and there is perhaps a fair argument that, fittingly, the most consistently impressive team of 2023 were the ones that finished first.
Matt Peet’s Warriors have been the standout side throughout 27 exhilarating rounds, and they got their reward in the home of their nearest neighbours. Some feel that the League Leader’s Shield lacks credence as a serious piece of silverware but the reaction from Wigan’s players told a different story.
In what could be an optimistic showing before the playoffs, Wigan held their nerve when it mattered to edge out Leigh and finish top, granting them a rest when the playoffs begin next weekend. All three teams that could have finished top did the job asked of them, meaning Catalans finish second and also have a weekend off after a 19-8 victory at Salford.
The reigning champions, St Helens, host Warrington in a do-or-die game while there will be a rematch of last month’s Challenge Cup final as Hull KR host Leigh, with Rovers earning home advantage courtesy of both a 56-12 win at already relegated Wakefield and Leigh’s defeat here. But it was Wigan who claimed the headlines.
“It means a great deal, it’s a fantastic honour,” Peet said. “It’s a great achievement and a great pat on the back for the whole club.” His side were certainly made to work for this victory. They weathered an early storm from Leigh inside a sold-out Leigh Sports Village to take a 10-0 lead courtesy of tries from the outstanding Jai Field and Jake Wardle.
Results elsewhere felt immaterial at that stage but Leigh have been outstanding all season and they hauled themselves back into the contest five minutes before the break when a wonderful team move was finished by Lachlan Lam to make it 10-6. At that stage, Leigh’s points difference was so healthy that fourth and a home semi-final with Hull KR seemed inevitable.
However a scoreless second half here coupled with Rovers racking up a big win in Wakefield flipped that tie around, meaning Leigh now have to travel to Yorkshire on Friday night. “I’m proud of them but we had a couple of massive calls in that game,” their coach, Adrian Lam, said. “But we’ve had a great season and I loved very part of it.”
There were certainly chances for both sides in that second half. Field had a try disallowed for obstruction before Oliver Gildart’s score at the other end was ruled out for the same offence. There may have been no points but there was certainly drama, with the scores at the other grounds reaffirming that Wigan needed to win to hold on to top spot.
In the end, despite one or two nerve-shredding moments, that is exactly what they did.
