Adrian Lam reflects on Wigan Warriors' league leaders shield triumph

They will have a week off in the opening round of the play-offs and then come into the post-season with a home semi-final.

But they were made to work hard for the victory, having been locked 6-6 with the Giants before Jackson Hastings scored a try - and created another - in quickfire fashion midway through the second-half.

"In the games Huddersfield have lost, it hasn't been by much, so we spoke about being prepared to fight through it and we did that in the second half," said Lam, who landed his first trophy as coach.

"There were some nerves in the dressing room at half-time, because it was important to them to win this, but I felt the longer the game went on the stronger we got.

"But we went into lockdown in first place and we've been there or thereabouts since we returned, and it's nice to finish top - it's acknowledgment for our chairman, our staff and for our fans."

If Wigan had lost, they would have finished third and had a sudden-death play-off match next weekend. But their reward for finishing top is a week off, and a home semi-final in their return to action - which Lam hopes will be at the DW Stadium.

"That'd be nice, I hope the administrators can do a deal and make sure we're at the DW, it'd be nice," he said.

Lam had special praise for reigning Man of Steel Hastings, who played a starring role in guiding the Warriors to victory.

"Jackson has been good for a long time, he probably could have got one or two of the man of the matches, but Bevan Frenh seems to be pinching them!" said Lam.

"He played a big part in the win, and has had a really strong season. He's not been talked about as much but personally I think he's been better than last season."

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