Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair are defeated in a memorable Grand Final match.
Following a thrilling matchup with Wigan Warriors on Sunday in the Betfred Wheelchair Super League Grand Final, Leeds Rhinos Wheelchair was defeated.
When England’s Nathan Collins scored his fourth try of an outstanding individual effort in the 70th minute and England captain Tom Halliwell added the conversion from wide out, Leeds seized the lead for the first time in the game.
However, Roberts made sure that Wigan only trailed for a little under four minutes by setting up Jack Heggie’s third try of the game with a deft kick and adding the extra point himself to restore a 44-42 lead.
Two minutes later, Heggie switched roles and set up Martin Lane of Wales for a second try.
Heggie had started the scoring in the sixth, and Wigan held onto that lead for the remainder of the first half. With a brilliant inside ball from the right wing, Lane scored one try and set up another for Martin Wooloff, and Roberts scored their final two tries of the first half, with the second pulling down the goalposts in one of the spectacular moments that are a hallmark of Wheelchair Rugby League.
Leeds’ captain Jodie Boyd-Ward scored two tries in the right corner, and Collins added two more, including one off his own chip ahead. However, surprisingly, Collins was unable to convert any of the scores, leaving Wigan in the lead 28-16.
When Adam joined them, they advanced.
Eight points ultimately separated the two teams, giving Wigan their second Grand Final victory in as many days and making its wheelchair squad the inaugural Super League champions in their brief history.
Final score: Wigan Warriors 50–42 Leeds Rhinos
After the game, we spoke with Head Coach James Simpson, who, despite yesterday’s outcome, has learned a lot in his first year as a coach since leaving the game. He is proud of his team for making every final and winning the League Leaders shield for a fourth consecutive season.
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