The Grand Slam winning season
Wigan Warriors added the latest chapter to the history books this month by becoming the first team of the Super League era to lift all four trophies in a calendar year.
Bevan French produced his latest moment of magic at Old Trafford as the Warriors beat Hull KR 9-2 in the Grand Final to claim back-to-back Betfred Super League titles and complete a historic Grand Slam.
Matt Peet’s side added their name to an exclusive list of four teams in the 129-year history of rugby league to win the four major trophies on offer in one season: Hunslet (1907-08), Huddersfield (1914-15), Swinton (1927-28) and Wigan (1994-95).
After opening the Super League season with a hard-fought victory at Castleford Tigers, the Warriors produced an outstanding performance at The Brick Community Stadium to defeat NRL champions, Penrith Panthers, to claim a record-equalling fifth World Club Challenge title.
Abbas Miski, Kruise Leeming and Jake Wardle scored tries as an individual defensive effort from Jai Field, plus a team attempt in the final seconds, denied Penrith a late score as the Warriors held on to win 16-12.
The Warriors extended their winning start to the season with victories over Huddersfield Giants, London Broncos and Salford Red Devils before French scored a hat-trick against Sheffield Eagles in Round 6 of the Betfred Challenge Cup.
Despite suffering a first defeat of the season to St Helens on Good Friday, the Warriors returned to winning ways against Leigh Leopards before back-to-back victories over Castleford Tigers – the first saw Wigan progress to the Challenge Cup semi-final.
The Warriors were handed a second defeat of the campaign by Hull KR in Round 9, however, after bouncing back with Super League wins over Catalans Dragons and Huddersfield Giants, Wigan scored seven tries in an emphatic win over KR in Doncaster to reach the Challenge Cup Final.
With the town preparing for a Wembley return, the Warriors secured successive wins at Salford and Challenge Cup Final opponents Warrington Wolves in a clash which saw Adam Keighran shown a red card in the closing stages for a dangerous tackle.
Supporters remembered the life of Rob Burrow CBE at Wembley with an applause in the seventh minute of the Challenge Cup Final, before Zach Eckersley marked the occasion with a special opening Warriors try which was added to by French and Liam Farrell for an 18-8 win.
The Warriors returned to Super League action with four consecutive victories, including important home wins over Leigh Leopards and St Helens to establish a four-point lead at the top of the table. However, back-to-back defeats to Hull FC and Warrington saw the Wolves leap to pole position with nine matches remaining.
Wigan responded with home wins over Huddersfield Giants and Leigh Leopards – the rearranged Round Two clash – before a third match in 10 days saw the Warriors miss out on the chance to reclaim top spot after a defeat at Leeds Rhinos.
The loss at AMT Headingley Stadium proved to be Wigan’s final defeat of the season as Peet’s side won their final six matches of the regular season – including a professional win over St Helens at Magic Weekend and a thrilling Round 25 victory against Hull KR – to lift the League Leaders’ Shield at The Brick Community Stadium.
Liam Marshall and Sam Walters scored twice as the Warriors beat Leigh Leopards 38-0 in the play-off semi-final at The Brick Community Stadium to seal an Old Trafford return and set up a Grand Final clash against Hull KR, who overcame Warrington Wolves.
A hard-fought Grand Final came down to a moment of brilliance from French who broke through the Hull KR defence to dive over in front of the Wigan supporters in the Stretford End. Keighran and Harry Smith added kicking points in the win, as the Warriors accomplished a historic achievement inside the Theatre of Dreams.
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