Wigan Warriors claim League Leaders' Shield as Matt Peet equals Super League record
Wigan Warriors were crowned League Leaders’ Shield winners with a 50-12 victory over Catalans Dragons as Matt Peet equalled the record for trophies won by a head coach in the Super League era.
The Warriors went into the final round of the regular Super League season knowing victory would guarantee them the top spot, and they delivered in front of their home supporters.
It also marked another milestone for Peet, who has now won nine trophies since taking charge of his hometown club ahead of the 2022 campaign.
That tally puts him level with legendary Super League coaches Daniel Anderson, Brian Noble and Tony Smith, who also won nine trophies during their respective careers in the competition.
Peet has now won three Challenge Cups, three League Leaders’ Shields, two Super League titles and a World Club Challenge with Wigan.
The Warriors made the perfect start when Harry Smith produced a cheeky show-and-go to dot the ball down after seven minutes. Adam Keighran converted for a 6-0 lead.
Catalans responded six minutes later when they found space on the right, with the ball moving through several pairs of hands before Ugo Tison crossed. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet converted to level the scores.
Wigan regained control in the 22nd minute after a slick passing move created space for Liam Marshall, who finished in the corner. Keighran converted from the touchline.
Brad O’Neill then extended the lead five minutes later, darting from dummy half before wrestling his way over. Keighran added the extras to make it 18-6.
The Warriors had time to add one more before the break, and it was fittingly scored by captain Liam Farrell. The skipper ran a superb line onto a flat pass from Bevan French and raced through to score, with Keighran converting to send Wigan into half-time 24-6 ahead.
Wigan continued to pull away after the break. French produced another excellent pass to send Austin Daniel over in the corner in the 49th minute, with Keighran converting.
Farrell was then involved again as he made a break and found Jai Field, who supported the captain and darted over. Keighran converted for 36-6.
Field came off on the hour mark, with Zach Eckersley moving to fullback. The winger showed his ability in the position by getting himself on the scoresheet in the 68th minute, although Keighran missed the conversion.
Keighran then added another try, racing 80 metres to score in the 75th minute before converting his own try.
Wigan reached the 50-point mark two minutes later when Marshall crossed for his second of the night out wide. The retiring Farrell was given the kicking duties but missed the conversion!
Catalans added a late consolation through Alexis Lis in the 79th minute, with retiring forward Ben Garcia converting from in front.
Wigan finished comfortable winners on home soil and lifted the League Leaders’ Shield. For Peet, it was another trophy to add to an already remarkable spell in charge of his hometown club.
Wigan: Jai Field; Austin Daniel, Adam Keighran, Zach Eckersley, Liam Marshall; Bevan French, Harry Smith; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Ollie Partington, Kaide Ellis. Subs: Liam Farrell, Sam Walters, Patrick Mago, Taylor Kerr. 18th man: Kian McDermott.
Tries: Smith, Marshall (2), O’Neill, Farrell, Daniel, Keighran (2), Eckersley | Goals: Keighran 7/8, Farrell 0/1
Catalans: Lenny Marc; Leo Darrelatour, Clement Martin, Nick Cotric, Tommy Makinson; Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Lewis Dodd; Josh Allen, Ugo Tison, Romain Navarrete, Benjamin Garcia, Matthieu Laguerre, Julian Bousquet. Subs: Franck Maria, Harvey Wilson, Giovanni Descalzi, Alexis Lis. 18th man: Mickael Goudemand.
Tries: Tison, Lis | Goals: Aispuro-Bichet 1/1, Garcia 1/1
Referee: Marcus Griffiths | Attendance: 19,049