The Australian’s trademark first-half streak through a hapless Rovers rearguard proved the only try of a bruising but engaging affair, with two kicks from Adam Keighran and a Harry Smith drop-goal nudging Matt Peet’s men to a 9-2 win. Rovers, targeting their first domestic title in four decades, were far from over-awed in their first Grand Final appearance, but failed to take their chances to crack a resolute Wigan defence and had only a Mikey Lewis penalty to show for their efforts. Liam Marshall briefly thought he had extended Wigan’s lead shortly after the opener but his kick through and touch down in the corner was denied for offside in the build-up. Rovers got their first points on the board through a Lewis penalty but the newly-crowned Man of Steel looked far from happy and his silly tip tackle on Farrell allowed Keighran to swiftly restore Wigan’s seven-point lead. Only a brilliant saving tackle from Hall on Jake Wardle denied the favourites what would surely have been the decisive score, but his intervention proved unnecessary as Wigan continued to hold out until the final hooter at which point they started celebrating another major domestic success.

Source: Express October 12, 2024 19:11 UTC