On Saturday evening in Manchester Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors will go head-to-head in the Super League Grand Final. It won't be the first time the pair have met at Old Trafford though, for that we go back to 2013.
That year Warrington had finished second in Super League whilst the Warriors finished fourth. A longer play-off system saw the paid beat Leeds Rhinos and league shield winners Huddersfield respectively before swapping opposition in the semi-finals.
Warrington headed to Old Trafford for the second season in a row having lost to the Rhinos in 2012 attempting to win their first Grand Final. The Warriors hadn't been to Manchester United's home ground since 2010 when they beat St Helens and were on the hunt for a double having beaten Hull 16-0 in the Challenge Cup final.
Advert
There was an explosive opening to the match with Ben Westwood seemingly aiming a punch at Blake Green inside the opening three minutes of the match. The Warrington man got away with being put on report. A Pat Richards penalty after 11 minutes opened the scoring with Wigan going 2-0 up.
The first try of the match went the way of the Wire though. Joel Monaghan took the ball out of the sky from Lee Briers' kick. Stefan Ratchford missed the conversion to leave it at 4-2. But within just five minutes Warrington led 16-2. First Simon Grix scored after Wigan kicked the ball straight out from the kick-off and then Westwood, who was lucky to be on the pitch, went over from close range. Ratchford kicked both conversions for the 14 point lead.
Monaghan stopped Richards from going over in the corner but the tackle left the Warrington player unconscious and he was stretchered off after being brought round but played no further part in the match. Sam Tomkins, in his last appearance for the Warriors, sent Darrell Goulding through with just a minute to go of the half. Richards missed the conversion and they went into the break at 16-6.
Advert
Wigan needed to carry that momentum into the second half and they did. Michael McIlorum's dummy pass opened up the Wolves' defence and he went over. Richard's added the two extras to make it 16-12. Charnley snaffled up a grubber kick from Goulding and crossed the line, when the extras were added Wigan again led.
With 15 minutes Green, who was sporting a black eye following his run in with Westwood in the opening throws of the match, added to Wigan's lead. An easy conversion left the Cherries 24-16 up and Warrington with a mountain to climb considering all momentum was against them.
With six minutes left Richards put a fitting end to his Wigan career. The Australian born Irishman was leaving the Warriors for the NRL but couldn't leave without a try of his own. After collecting a pass from Sean O'Loughlin he went over in the corner to ensure a winning finish for him, Tomkins and Less Mossop who were all heading for the other side of the world.
Advert
In a true game of two halves the Warriors won 30-16 with a second half shut-out of the Wire. A truly classing Grand Final.
Will Saturday's match live up to 2013? Can Warrington complete the league leaders and Super League double and win it all for the first time. Or will Wigan win for the first time since 2013 having lost the last two finals?
Featured Image Credit: