Cup Final: In numbers

[josie andrews]

Take a deeper dive into what it took for Wigan Warriors to claim Betfred Challenge Cup glory in a dramatic 16-14 win over Huddersfield Giants on Saturday, as the final was played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time.

It was Wigan’s 20th success in the competition and first triumph since 2013.

Harry Smith starred for Wigan in the halves as he led the way with eight points courtesy of his first-half try and two goals. The 22-year-old England Academy graduate also recorded an assist, the crucial kick for Liam Marshall‘s match-winning try.

Marshall was one of three Wigan tryscorers, alongside Smith and star full back Jai Field, who shone with a game-leading seven tackle breaks and 155 metres.

Bevan French impressed with an assist – for Field in the second half – and also clocked an eye catching 185 metres from 18 carries.

But he wasn’t Wigan’s leading metre-maker on the day, that achievement went to John Bateman who made 186 metres from his 17 carries in an impressive 80-minute performance in the back row.

Elsewhere, young hooker Brad O’Neill started the match for Wigan, played 52 minutes and managed to chip in with an impressive 43 tackles, but Wigan’s leading tackle maker was Morgan Smithies.

Smithies, the 21-year-old loose forward, played the full match and made a remarkable 61 tackles and only one miss in a crucial display for his side. He also recorded a try assist, offloading for Harry Smith’s first-half try.

England star Liam Farrell was also on top form for the Warriors, making 39 tackles without a single miss and running 112 metres from 11 carries.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2022/05/ ... n-numbers/