Wigan 48-4 Catalans: Warriors complete season unbeaten at home
Wigan have completed the regular Super League season with an unbeaten home record following their 48-4 victory over Catalans at the DW Stadium.
The Warriors’ last home defeat by Catalan was a 28-47 loss in 2011. They have now won the last 12 home encounters.
Matt Peet’s side will now enjoy a week’s break until their home semi-final tie, while the Dragons will prepare for their eliminator play-off clash in Perpignan.
Match report
Captain Tommy Leuluai returned for the Warriors and was named on the bench. Cade Cust once again partnered Harry Smith in the halves, with young Brad O’Neill continuing his starting stint at hooker in replacement of the injured Sam Powell.
Catalans named 10 debutants in their squad with an eye on next week’s eliminator play-off. Josh Drinkwater the most experienced player in the team, partnering Ceaser Rouge in the halves.
Harry Smith opened the scoring on seven minutes, receiving an offload from back-rower John Bateman to cross over in the corner for his sixth of the year. The 22-year-old converted his own try for an early 6-0 lead.
The young Catalans outfit held strong for the next 20 minutes and remained in the battle. It was only until the 31st minute Wigan crossed for their second. Forward Kaide Ellis supported a break from Ethan Havard to score a rare try and double the lead.
Liam Marshall then crossed just three minutes later. A penalty on the restart gave the hosts strong field position, and the England World Cup hopeful crossed for his 20th try of the season.
Marshall doubled his tally 30 seconds until the break for a comfortable – score at half-time. It was also his 400th point for Wigan.
HT: Wigan 24-0 Catalans
Leuluai made his return at the restart, shifting into the halves with Cust moved to hooker.
Catalans scored their first and only points five minutes into the second 40. Drinkwater pouncing on a poor pass from Jai Field to race away from 30 metres out and score.
Wigan’s influential playmaker Cust was forced from the field through an elbow injury shortly after.
Bevan French extended his lead at the top of the try-scorers tally with his 30th of the season on 52 minutes. The off-contract star grounding a kick from partner in crime Field.
Forward Havard scored shortly after, scoring under the posts thanks to an offload from O’Neill before Jake Bibby added Wigan’s seventh try with 18 left on the clock.
Moved to full-back with Field given a deserved rest, French crossed for his second on the 70th minute for a final score of 48-4.
FT: Wigan 48-4 Catalans
Wigan: Field, French, Bibby, Pearce-Paul, Marshall, Cust, Smith, Singleton, O’Neill, Ellis, Isa, Bateman, Smithies. Bench: Leuluai, Mago, Havard, Cooper
Tries: Smith, Ellis, Marshall (2), French (2), Havard, Bibby
Goals: Smith 8/8
Catalans: Franco, Parenti, Romano, Jobe, Zenon, Rouge, Drinkwater, Scimone, Tison, T.Chan, Le Cam, Laurent, Cozza. Bench: Salabio, Ribas, Llong, Castano.
Tries: Drinkwater
Goals: Rouge 0/1
Attendance: 13,275
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