Wigan Warriors crowned Reserve Grade champions after beating Warrington Wolves in Grand Final

Wigan Warriors were crowned Reserve Grade champions after producing a dominant 42-0 victory over Warrington Wolves in the Reserves Grand Final at the Brick Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Warriors followed up their Academy Grand Final success against Warrington the previous weekend with another win over their local rivals on home soil.

A youthful Wire side struggled to contain a more experienced Wigan outfit after the opening exchanges, with the hosts eventually running in nine tries to complete a comfortable victory.

Wigan made the perfect start after just three minutes when Evan Buckley produced a cut-out pass to send Dayon Sambou over in the corner. Josh Cartwright added the conversion from out wide to give the Warriors an early 6-0 lead.

The hosts doubled their advantage five minutes later as the ball was moved wide to Finlay Yeomans, who showed his strength to barge over. Cartwright again converted, putting Wigan 12-0 ahead.

Warrington managed to keep the Warriors out for the next 17 minutes, but Wigan eventually found a third try in the 25th minute.

Cartwright was involved again, this time assisting Abbas Miski, who finished well in the corner. Cartwright was unable to add the conversion as Wigan moved 16-0 ahead. That remained the score at half-time, with the Warriors firmly in control.

Wigan continued to dominate after the second half restart. They extended their lead when Charlie Yeomans crossed out wide following another neat passing move. Cartwright missed the conversion, leaving the score at 20-0.

Cartwright then got himself on the scoresheet in the 56th minute, wrestling his way over out wide for Wigan’s fifth try. His conversion attempt hit the post and bounced away.

Three minutes later, starting Warriors prop Sam Eseh was given his first breather after a strong stint through the middle.

Wigan were soon in again, with Cartwright scoring his second try of the afternoon in the 61st minute. He was unable to convert this time, but the hosts had moved into a 28-0 lead with less than 20 minutes remaining.

Warrington were unable to find a way back into the contest as Wigan continued to attack. Jack Purtill found Miski with a cut-out pass in the 72nd minute before Miski returned the favour to send Charlie Yeomans over for his second try. Miski took over the kicking duties but saw his effort go wide of the mark.

Purtill then played a key role again two minutes later, darting through a gap before finding the supporting Matty Halton, who crossed. Cartwright converted to make it 38-0.

The hosts completed the scoring in the 77th minute when Halton latched onto a grubber from Charlie Yeomans to score his second try. Cartwright missed the conversion, but it mattered little as Wigan completed a 42-0 victory.

The result means the Warriors end their Reserves campaign unbeaten and as Grand Final champions, adding another trophy to the club’s collection just one week after their Academy side also lifted silverware against Warrington.

Wigan: Josh Cartwright; Abbas Miski, Jonny Vaughan, Finlay Yeomans, Dayon Sambou; Charlie Yeomans, Evan Buckley; Sam Eseh, Jack Purtill, Shea O’Connor, Kian McDermott, Lukas Mason, Finn McMillan. Subs: Tom Forber, Kalum Rathbone, Lucas Fetherston, Matty Halton. 18th man: Riley Dervan.

Tries: Sambou, F Yeomans, Miski, C Yeomans (2), Cartwright (2), Halton (2) | Goals: Cartwright 3/8, Miski 0/1

Warrington: Thomas Rhodes; Jack Fallon, Oliver Bishop, James Duffy, Bailey Lund; Harry Pratt, Jack Pendlebury; Isaac Reid, Lucas Mulqueeney, Logan Raughter, Alfie Poles, James McGuire, Kian Stanton. Subs: Leyton Haddrell, Isaac Holdsworth, Brady Bottomley, Joseph Bajer. 18th man: Ellis Livesey.

Tries: | Goals: