The top six teams progressed to the finals series. The Wigan Warriors and Catalan Dragons had the first week off as the two top sides from the league competition. Four sides from Lancashire, one from Yorkshire and one from France.
First round: Hull KR hosted the Leigh Leopards, the latter looking a bit jaded after a massively overachieving first season back in the elite competition. Hull KR overachieved too but not as much and years of time at this level. It was a repeat of the cup final (narrowly won by Leigh) but KR were comfortable enough winners.
In the other match, Saints welcomed the Warrington Wolves to their ground. Neither side were firing on all cylinders but the home team had too much for a game the Cheshire based visitors. A predictable outcome.
Semi Finals: The Wigan Warriors hit form at the right time of the season and that enabled them to overwhelm their Yorshire visitors, ensuring a trophyless year for that county (see picture above). An unusual picture you'd agree.
Down in the south of France, the Dragons won a tight encounter against a Saints side unusually struggling with the offensive side of its game.
Final: It was held at the famous Old Trafford Football Ground, not too far from Wigan. The Catalan fans hoped they could go one better than their only other grand final appearance two years earlier.
In a game where relentless Wigan pressure and Catalan defensive resolve were the highlights, the Warriors were victors and the Dragons can only be frustrated at their inability to put Wigan under pressure.
So another season ends, with Wigan winning yet another grand final (although their first since 2018 and just their fifth this century). The French club it will be a case of third time lucky.
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