Wigan Warriors Academy complete unbeaten season with Grand Final triumph

Wigan Warriors were crowned Academy Grand Final champions on Sunday after beating Warrington Wolves 36-16 in a hard-fought contest at the Brick Community Stadium, with Matty Smith’s side having gone the season unbeaten.

A crowd of 2,329 watched on as the Warriors came from behind to secure the Academy League title and finish an unbeaten 2026 campaign with silverware.

Warrington made the better start and opened the scoring after seven minutes. Leyton Haddrell scooted from dummy-half and crashed over from close range, with Tommy Rhodes converting to give the Wolves an early 6-0 lead.

Wigan responded after 19 minutes when Zak Bielecki latched onto a clever chip from Alfie Maden to score the Warriors’ first try of the afternoon. Maden was unable to add the extras, leaving Warrington with a 6-4 advantage.

The Warriors then turned the game around late in the first half. A superb cut-out pass from Evan Buckley found Conner Oxbury, who finished well in the corner after 36 minutes. Maden converted from the touchline to put Wigan 10-6 ahead.

Three minutes later, the Warriors extended their lead. Buckley produced a cheeky show-and-go to break through the Warrington defence before diving over. Maden converted again to send Wigan into half-time 16-6 ahead.

The Warriors continued their strong finish to the first half after the break and added another try in the 44th minute. Maden produced a looping cut-out pass to Bielecki, who finished in the corner for his second try of the afternoon. Maden could not convert from out wide, leaving Wigan 20-6 ahead.

Warrington responded through Brady Bottomley after 50 minutes, with Wire youngster barging over to reduce the deficit. Rhodes converted to make it 20-12.

Wigan quickly restored their 12-point advantage after 57 minutes as Bielecki completed his hat-trick. Another cut-out pass from Maden put the winger over in the corner, although Maden was unable to add the conversion.

The Warriors continued to apply pressure and moved further ahead on the hour mark. Joe McGann produced an offload to Noah Forster, who then found the supporting Sam Dickenson, who went under the sticks and Maden converted to make it 30-12.

Warrington refused to give up and Reece Dobbs crossed out wide after 64 minutes. Rhodes could not convert, leaving the Wolves 30-16 behind.

Wigan then put the result beyond doubt six minutes from full-time. Shea O’Connor powered his way over from close range to score the Warriors’ seventh try of the afternoon. Maden converted to complete the scoring at 36-16.

The final whistle sparked celebrations for the Warriors, who secured the Academy Grand Final title in front of their home supporters, claiming an unbeaten season.

Wigan: Samuel Dickenson; Connor Oxbury, Tom Farrimond, Jovi Bentley-Elliott, Zak Bielecki; Alfie Maden, Evan Buckley; Shea O’Connor, Joe McGann, Noah Forster, Lewis Daniels, Harrison Pearson, Matty Halton. Subs: Clayton Mayberry, Joe Hollins, Charlie Jeffrey-Stott, Cody Lyons-Ashworth. 18th man: Harry Mikhail.

Tries: Bielecki (3), Oxbury, Buckley, Dickenson, O’Connor | Goals: Maden 4/7

Warrington: Bailey Lund; Jack Fallon, Reece Dobbs, Cameron Cooper, Regan Parkman; Tommy Rhodes, Jack Pendlebury; Isaac Holdsworth, Leyton Haddrell, Ed Williams, Oliver Bishop, Jamie Coop, Ethan Holt. Subs: Tom Marshall, Ellis Livesey, Zak Brand, Brady Bottomley. 18th man: Harry Pratt.

Tries: Haddrell, Bottomley, Dobbs | Goals: Rhodes 2/3

Attendance: 2,329