Defending Super League champions Wigan Warriors obliterated Leigh Leopards 38-0 at the Brick Community Stadium to reach the 2024 Grand Final in merciless fashion.
Sam Walters (2), Liam Marshall (2), Bevan French and Jai Field all went over for Matt Peet's side, who take on Hull Kingston Rovers at Old Trafford next weekend following the Robins' 10-8 victory over Warrington Wolves in Friday's first semi-final
Underlining their status as the bookies' favourites to retain their Super League crown, the League Leaders' Shield winners blew the Leopards to smithereens in a first-half whitewash, where Marshall had the freedom of the left flank.
Boasting an unrivalled 27 tries for the 2024 season before Saturday's semi, the league's top scorer needed just 10 minutes to cross the line at the Brick Community Stadium, with the Leopards' defence completely exposed as the 28-year-old had acres of space to dive through.
As expected, the Warriors continued to overwhelm the Leopards after breaking the deadlock and reached double figures with 19 minutes on the board, as Walters shot out his right arm to ground the ball with two black shirts doing their utmost to stop him.
Bevan French caps off semi-final thrashing with individual excellence
"Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant!"
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) October 5, 2024
A try for the ages from Bevan French as he produces some magic out of nothing!!#SkySportsRL pic.twitter.com/ISRFXLLjYb
Walters's try did go to the video referee, although it took no time at all for Wigan's second to be awarded, as the officials avoided becoming embroiled in a similar controversy to KR's second try in their semi-final win.
Mistakes from Adrian Lam's side were not helping their cause, as Adam Keighran increased the hosts' advantage with a 28th-minute penalty, before Marshall once again found himself totally alone on the left-hand side to burst through for his second.
Any fleeting Leigh hopes of a remarkable second-half revival were extinguished almost immediately, as an early knock-on from Aaron Pene preceded Walters charging through for his second of the night.
However, the best was still yet to come for the defending champions, as French bamboozled the Leopards defence with some deft body feints and an exquisite grubber kick before diving over.
Field put the afterburners on three minutes from the end to make the victory even more emphatic for Wigan, who are now chasing an unprecedented quadruple of Super League, Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and World Club Challenge titles.
Ben Knapton
