Warriors Super League champions after grinding final against Dragons

Embed from Getty Images

Wigan Warriors won the Super League Grand Final 10-2 against Catalans Dragons at Old Trafford on Saturday night.

The Warriors completed the double in 2023 after they picked up the League Leaders Shield for being the best regular season side.

Their win at Old Trafford also puts Wigan Warriors on 23 championships in English rugby league and extending their lead over rivals St Helens.

It was a raucous crowd of 58,137 welcomed both teams onto the field at the ‘Theater of Dreams' to decide a champion for 2023.

The game had a tight and physical opening between first and second sides on the Super League ladder on a perfect evening for rugby league.

The first flashpoint for the game came 15 minutes in. Adam Keighran was sent to the sin bin for his dangerous tackle on Kai Pearce-Paul.

Catalans held firm despite being down to 12 men but Wigan scored first. Harry Smith piloted home a penalty goal after another high tackle.

The Dragons would level things up just before half-time. The Warriors defensive line was pinged for offside which allowed Keighran to make it 2-all.

It was discipline which let the Dragons down right after half-time. They scrambled to shut down a break from the Warriors at the expense of Tom Davies going to the sin bin.

Wigan thought they had broken the deadlock with a long-range effort. Jai Field created the break before his final pass to Bevan French was ruled forward.

They did make use of the extra man and score the first try. Jake Wardle sliced through then Liam Marshall backed up to make it 8-2.

The Warriors made the difference eight after another high tackle penalty. Smith stepped up and converted in the tight contest.

Dragons threw everything they could at the Warriors but couldn't send retirees Mitch Pearce and Sam Tomkins out on a high on Saturday night.

RELATED: See the full list of 2023 Betfred Super League Draw and Results.

Wigan Warriors 10
Catalans Dragons 2

Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester
Crowd: 58137
Date: Sunday 15 October 2023 at 4:00am

Wigan Warriors (10)
Tries: Liam Marshall
Goals: Harry Smith 3/3

Catalans Dragons (2)
Goals: Adam Keighran 1/1

Wigan: Field, Miski, King, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Dupree, O'Neill, Ellis, Pearce-Paul, Farrell, Smithies. Int: Powell, Isa, Havard, Mago.
Catalans: Tomkins, Davies, Keighran, Ikuvalu, Johnstone; May, Pearce; McMeeken, McIlorum, Taukeiaho, Whitley, Séguier, Garcia. Int: Mourgue, Navarrete, Bousquet, Ma'u.