Warriors lift the League Leaders' Shield

Wigan Warriors tonight secured the Betfred League Leaders’ Shield with an emphatic 50-12 win over Catalans Dragons. 

Matt Peet’s side ran in nine tries, including one from Liam Farrell that saw the Brick Community Stadium rise to its feet just days after Wigan’s club captain announced he would retire at the end of the season.

Liam Marshall (2), Harry Smith, Brad O’Neill, Adam Keighran, Jai Field, Zach Eckersley and Austin Daniel all crossed as Warriors prepared to lift the Shield for the third time in just four years. 

They knew they’d claim it if they matched or bettered title rivals Leeds Rhinos’ result against Hull FC but their victory was rarely in doubt. 

Catalans captain Ben Garcia, playing the last club game of his brilliant career, kicked his first-ever goal with a last-minute conversion. 

The triumph means Wigan keep alive their hopes of a Treble having already bagged the Betfred Challenge Cup in May. 

Wigan and second-placed Leeds have secured byes through the first round of the Play-Offs meaning they are both just 80 minutes away from the Grand Final on October 3. The Play-offs get underway with Wakefield Trinity V Leigh Leopards in Eliminator 1 on Friday September 18 (KO 8pm) followed by Warrington Wolves v Hull KR in Eliminator 2 on Saturday September 19 (KO 530pm).

Rhinos, who suffered a shock 18-12 home loss to Hull tonight, host the highest-ranked Eliminator loser in Semi-Final 1 on Friday September 25 (KO 8pm) before Warriors entertain the lowest-ranked Eliminator in Semi-Final 2 on Saturday September 26 (KO 530pm).