Magic moment seals Wigan triumph in the Grand Final

Another moment of magic from Bevan French made the difference as Wigan Warrirors held off gallant Hull KR at Old Trafford to retain their Super League crown and become the first club to claim the quadruple of all four major titles in a single season.

- MARK STANIFORTH

The Australian’s trademark first-half streak through a hapless Rovers rearguard proved the only try of a bruising but engaging affair, with two kicks from Adam Keighran and a Harry Smith drop-goal nudging Matt Peet’s men to a 9-2 win.

Rovers, targeting their first domestic title in four decades, were far from overawed in their first Grand Final appearance, but failed to take their chances to crack a resolute Wigan defence and had only a Mikey Lewis penalty to show for their efforts.

Willie Peters’s side, who had earned their chance the hard way after edging third-placed Warrington in last week’s nervejangling semi-final, threatened the champions’ line throughout but lacked the magic touch of Wigan’s irrepressible number six, who ended the night as the first recipient of the newly-named Rob Burrow man-of-the-match award.