Wigan 48-24 Catalans: Warriors to host Hull in semi-finals
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 24/09/16 3:48pm
Wigan Warriors secured second place in the Super League standings with a 48-24 victory over Catalans Dragons to set up a home semi-final against Hull FC.
Wigan's attack has come in for criticism this season but there could be no complaints in the first half as they ran in six tries to lead 36-4 at the break.
They led after just two minutes with Anthony Gelling going over and from that moment they never looked back. A brace from George Williams and further tries from John Bateman, Joe Bretherton and Josh Charnley saw the game won by half-time.
The second half was a more even contest with the Dragons outscoring the home side four tries to two, but the damage was already done and the Warriors are just 80 minutes away from their fourth successive Grand Final appearance.
Gelling got the hosts going when he was going down a dead end before putting a kick through, with the ball bouncing back into his arms off a defender for Gelling to score. Matty Smith converted for a 6-0 lead.
The Warriors then added another try with Bateman making good yards up the middle before Williams did his trademark step-and-go on the last to cross the line. Smith converted for a 12-0 advantage.
A break from Dan Sarginson from inside his own half helped set up Wigan's third try of the evening, as Bateman was rewarded for his own perseverance by chasing down his own kick before collecting and scoring.
Wigan then put the game to bed less than a minute later as Liam Farrell broke clear to send Williams over for their fourth try. Smith converted both tries to give the Warriors a 24-0 lead after 22 minutes.
Wigan crossed for their fifth try with Bretherton going over from close range before Charnley raced 65 metres unopposed after Gelling produced a grubber kick inside his own 20 on the free play. Smith converted both tries once more, but Catalans managed to have the final say of the half as Vincent Duport went over in the corner.
The Warriors hit 40 points three minutes into the second half with Charnley showing his strength down the right before stepping inside to send Smith racing away to score - the scrum-half added the extras as Wigan led 42-4.
The Dragons again managed to get on the scoresheet as Justin Horo used all his strength to hold off a tackle attempt from Charnley to score in the corner.
Some off-the-cuff attacking from the Warriors saw them cross for their eighth try in the 54th minute as Smith showed his football skills to carve open the Catalans defence before touching down under the posts.
The Dragons were still trying to throw the ball about and they were rewarded with a try from Lucas Albert before Richie Myler added a fourth for the visitors, which he converted to make it 48-18.
Horo was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul but the Catalans still had the final say with winger Jordan Sigismeau crossing in the corner late on.
