MX23RW : Friday, December 27 12:03:51| >> :600:6824593:6824593:

Wigan Warriors win Super League XVIII

Wigan Warriors score 28 unanswered points as they come from 16-2 down to beat Warrington Wolves in the Grand Final of Super League XVIII.

Wigan Warriors have become the first team in seven years to win both the Challenge Cup and the Super League in the same season.

The Lancashire club secured the famous double by coming from 14 points down to beat Warrington Wolves in a pulsating Grand Final at Old Trafford.

Michael McIlorum of Wigan is hugged by teammate Ben Flower after scoring his team's second try during the Super League Grand Final between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford on October 5, 2013© Getty Images

Warrington were fortunate to keep 13 players on the field in the opening minutes when Blake Green was punched in the face by Ben Westwood.

Referee Richard Silverwood did not see the incident, but Westwood was placed on report.

It was initially feared that Green had broken his cheekbone, but, remarkably, after being given oxygen by the medics, he was able to continue.

Wigan settled quicker than their opponents and they deservedly took the lead as Pat Richards split the posts with a long-range penalty goal on 12 minutes.

However, three tries in six first-half minutes then turned the game on its head as Joel Monaghan, Simon Grix and Westwood all touched down to put Warrington 16-2 ahead with the game just 30 minutes old.

Ben Westwood of Warrington celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third try during the Super League Grand Final between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford on October 5, 2013© Getty Images

However, Warrington's elation was quickly soured as tryscorer Monaghan was stretchered off in a neck brace and taken to hospital after being knocked out in a tackle.

Wigan remained focused during the lengthly break in play and their superior concentration was instantly rewarded when the game resumed, as Darrell Goulding crashed over the line to reduce the deficit to 10 points going into half time.

Momentum continued in the Warriors' favour after the interval, as Michael McIlorum darted forward from scrum half and fed the Wolves defence a smart dummy before touching down for a try that was celebrated with great volume by half of the 66,281 fans in attendance.

Pat Richards, Sam Tomkins, Michael McIlorum and Sean O'Loughlin of Wigan celebrate with the trophy following their team's 30-16 victory during the Super League Grand Final between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford on October 5, 2013© Getty Images

Wigan's early lead was finally restored on 53 minutes when Josh Charnley latched onto a diagonal kick to continue his outstanding try-scoring form.

Green and Richards then got in on the act late on to put the result beyond doubt, securing Wigan's third Super League title and sending Sam Tomkins to New Zealand as a two-time Grand Final winner.

ID:109416: cacheID:109416:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6399:
Written by
Robert Summerscales
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Michael McIlorum of Wigan is hugged by teammate Ben Flower after scoring his team's second try during the Super League Grand Final between Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford on October 5, 2013
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Warrington 16-30 Wigan - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!