Warriors beaten in Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors Wheelchair fell to defeat against Catalans Dragons in the Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final.
- The Warriors scored through Declan Roberts and Adam Rigby in Sheffield.
- FT | Catalans Dragons 81-18 Wigan Warriors.
Wigan Warriors were beaten 81-18 by Catalans Dragons in the Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final at the English Institute of Sport.
Despite scoring through Declan Roberts and Adam Rigby in a historic first Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final appearence, the Warriors fell short to a Catalans Dragons side who lifted the trophy for a second year running.
Report
The competition holders applied pressure to the Warriors defence in the early stages, however, Wigan stood firm to keep Catalans out with Jack Heggie producing a fantastic tackle on his try line.
Catalans opened the scoring on six minutes when Bourson acrobatically scored in the corner despite the best efforts of the Warriors defence before Nico Claussells grounded shortly after to increase the lead to 10-0.
A flowing Catalans move resulted in Vargas crossing in the corner before Bourson scored his second and his side’s fourth try of the afternoon to make the score 22-0 with 14 minutes on the clock.
The Warriors reduced the points difference on their first visit to the Catalans try line when D. Roberts fantastically weaved his way through a gap to score between the sticks before Adam Rigby darted through to score four minutes later. D. Roberts added both conversions to make the score 22-12 after 20 minutes.
An even battle unfolded in Sheffield as each side went set for set before Catalans regained their 22 point lead with successive tries within three minutes. First N. Claussells gathered a kick to race clear and score before Bourson completed his hat-trick on 32 minutes after accelerating free on the wing.
Catalans widened their 34-12 half time lead to 46-12 after Seb Bechara crossed for a brace of tries within nine minutes with Giles Clausells adding both scores.
G.Clausells then hit a drop goal to make the score 47-12 before Vargas and Bourson scored two tries in quick succession to extend the lead for Catalans to 59-12 as Wigan had a big mountain to climb in the Final.
The threat of Catalans continued to ensue as Vargas crossed once again on the hour before Dore added his name to the scoresheet after picking a gap in the Warriors defence to power through from close range.
Despite Bechara completing his hat-trick on 72 minutes after going the full length, the Warriors added six points to their tally when the ball fell kindly into the hands of Rigby who grounded his second between the sticks. Heggie added the extras to make the score 75-18 with two minutes remaining.
Catalans crossed for the final try of the Final with 30 seconds remaining when Bechara’s short pass allowed N. Clausells to complete his hat-trick. The extras were added as the Dragons lifted the Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup trophy for a second year running.
Gallery:
Catalans Dragons: Nico Clauselles, Arno Vargas, Jeremy Bourson, Joel Lacombe, Damien Dore.
Interchanges: Victor Puly, Gilles Clausells, Seb Bechara.
Tries: Bourson (6′, 14′, 33′, 58′), N.Clausells (8′, 29′, 79′), Vargas (12′, 56′, 60′), Bechara (41′, 49′, 71′), Dore (63′).
Goals: N.Clauseslls (5/6), G.Clausells (7/7), Bechara (1/1).
Drop Goal: G.Clausells (1/1).
Wigan Warriors: Chris Greenhalgh, Jack Heggie, Declan Roberts, Adam Rigby, Phil Roberts.
Interchanges: Martin Lane, Nathan Roberts, Mark Williams.
Tries: Roberts (17′), Rigby (20′, 78′).
Goals: D. Roberts (2/2), Heggie (1/1).
