Rampant Warriors destroy Catalans Dragons
Trent Barrett grabbed two tries for Wigan
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Saturday, 20, Sep 2008 08:58
A sensational six try second-half burst from the Wigan Warriors saw them destroy the Catalans Dragons 50-26 in the Super League play-off eliminator.
The Dragons were favourites to reach the semi-finals after they finished the regular season third and hammered the Warrington Wolves in the play-offs last week. But it was Wigan who played the game of their lives as they showed great character to sprint away when the score was tied at 20-20 at the start of the second-half.
The game got off to a slow start and it took more than 20 minutes for the first try of the game, but when it did come it was a brilliant one from Dimitri Pelo. The Catalans star ran from the halfway line before bamboozling Wigan full-back Richie Mathers with his superb footwork to cross the try-line. Thomas Bosc added the two points.
Wigan replied almost immediately as Gareth Hock superbly off-loaded the ball to George Carmont when tackled by three players and Carmont went over from a couple of yards out. Pat Richards missed a simple conversion attempt.
A brilliant break from Joel Tomkins on the right-wing was the key to the next Wigan try as he sprinted almost 50 yards before passing the ball to Trent Barrett who had a simple run to the line. Richards this time did added the extras.
Dragons half-back Casey McGuire saw a try disallowed as the video referee decided Remi Casty was guilty of a high tackle on Hock in the lead up to the try. The Dragons did grab a try through Pelo as they went into the break only 14-10 behind.
The second-half started with a bang as Richards intercepted a John Wilson pass and ran almost the entire length of the pitch to score and stretch the Wigan lead.
But the Dragons refused to go down without a fight and backed by a vocal home crowd they scored two quick tries through Olivier Elima and Justin Murphy and got back to 20-20. Most rugby fans would have fancied the Dragons to go on and win the game, but it was a completely different story.
The Warriors played their best and most destructive rugby of the season with a breathtaking five tries inside 25 minutes. Richards and the ever brilliant Barrett grabbed their second tries of the game, and Mark Calderwood (2) and Hock also went over as Wigan setup a semi-final clash against Leeds Rhinos.