Leeds Grand Final Victory over Wigan
After the two previous weekends games that saw Leeds claim the League Leaders Shield added to the Challenge Cup and a possibility of achieving the treble against arch foes Wigan, along with most fans my week was tormented by stress and sleepless nights, worrying over whether my van could make it to Manchester and back, whether my funds could stretch out and other worries over the uncontrollable possibilities that could prevent me making it up for this historic game, Saturday arrived.
Driving up went swiftly and I arrived early, parked up and walked toward the theatre of dreams. After six previous victories Leeds fans have come to see the ground as a second home. I met my brother, Jane and Jessica almost immediately by fluke or fate. We walked to a working men's club where we have had pre final drinks in years gone by. The fans were in full voice singing tribal anthems with a confident feeling. Wigan fans more subdued mingled as competitive jousting built up to our walk towards the ground.
Across the town England Rugby Union who had already failed to reach the knock out stages of their home World Cup were to play a final game against Namibia. A few misdirected fans wearing their white shirts adorned with red roses found themselves amongst the league fans. They looked confused at the passionate singing and tribal passions their sport fails to rouse. Apparently in a struggle to sell their tickets prices had dropped to £2.50, to fill the embarrassment of empty seats. Following the weeks of hyperbole for their damp squib of a sports pinnacle event their supporters had shamefully again tried to twist the story into blaming League through the fast tracking of a single League to Union convert, Sam Burgess, as though a single player could affect the terrible performances and dull games the establishment game had delivered. Never has Leagues superiority as a code been so apparent.
This was to be the final game before three Leeds players took retirement. Kevin Sinfield who has made records as Leeds most successful captain and highest points scorer. Jamie Peacock for whome this would be an eighth Grand Final win including his one with Bradford before signing for his home town club. Kylie lueluia who has been in seven victorious grand finals and having come over to leeds from Australia aims to remain here for his post rugby career life.
Leeds had never beaten Wigan in a final. Another first to overcome. Chance had seen the two teams avoid each other in the draws or play in earlier rounds. Not since the inaugural final in 1998 when Leeds lost, before this golden age began.
Taking our seats the atmosphere was immense. Leeds fans outnumbered Wigan slightly and out sang their fans with the variety of anthems in great volume. Why Wigan have failed to developed such a repertoire is mysterious. Losing oneself in to the group consciousness through song is a spiritual feeling. The roar as all minds focus on a single man tearing down the wing to score is deeply moving as the individual becomes lost into something far greater. Wigan enjoy the medians favouritism as the pundits and commentators for both sky and the BBC are ex Wigan players. Through their discussion one could be forgiven for thinking Wigan are the most successful team in the super league era when in truth they are third behind both Leeds and St Helens.
This would be the final game Matty Bowen would play for Wigan. The great full back is moving back to Australia as Sam Tomkins the prodigal son returns. To my mind, Tomkins is no match for Bowen for who I would have awarded the Harry Sunderland trophy for man of the match by the final whistle, despite being on the losing side. He never gave up. Made try saving tackles. Powered through the Leeds defence to touch down and kicked well throughout.
Burgess scored first for Wigan in a swift clinical move that put any over confidence Leeds may have sailed in on after such majestic wins over Huddersfield and Saints. For a few minutes all Leeds fans felt the dream may not materialise. That the crushing wins of previous weeks had tired our boys. Bowen converted. 6-0 Wigan.
On the next play, Hardaker kicks off, Matty Smith knocks on. From the scrum Sinfield chipped the ball over the Wigan defence in a practiced move for Danny McGuire to score. Sinfield converted. 6-6.
On 27 minutes, due to Wigan indiscipline they are forced to defend three sets of six. Flamboyant Leeds passing movement ends in Watkins putting Joel Moon through to score. Sinfield failed to convert. 10-6 Leeds.
Wigan on the attack kick a high bomb to Ryan Hall who is tackled in mid air. From the penalty Leeds build, Cuthbertson offloads to Watkins who breaks the Wigan line and charges toward the Wigan line passing to McGuire who goes in for his second. Sinfield converts. 16-6 Leeds go in at half time.
Elliot has made it up from his fair in Huddersfield arriving in time for Leeds first try. Having been at all the super eights games it would have been tragic for him to miss out on this historic final.
Second half Wigan come out steaming and for much of the rest of the game are the better side. Leeds are caught in defence and on the third set of six, McLaughlin places an accurate cross field kick, Hall rises with Manfredi who comes up with the ball to bring Wigan back into the game. Bowen converts. 16-12.
Three minutes later Leeds are again on the rack, Bowen crashes through three or four Leeds defenders, converts his own try to put Wigan ahead. 18-16.
Leeds defend heroically but Wigan are awarded a penalty. Leeds ran all their penalties throughout the game. Sinfield in close games often kicks for goal but not today. To kick for touch and go for the try shows confidence in a teams ability to score. Taking the two points shows respect for the defence and concerns in a teams own abilities to break the opponents defence. Wigan opt to kick. To take the two points. A decision that revealed a fear and quite possibly resulted in their defeat. Bowers kick made it 20-16. Leeds were in not much of a different position. A converted try would do. The third quarter of the game had gone to Wigan.
But a champion team rise to the occasion. Sinfield kicks and some slick leeds passing sees Kheinhorst put young Walters through. The future of the club is seen here. Sinfield converts. 22-20 Leeds.
From here on Wigan attack and defend desperately as the clock ticks down. The play becomes increasingly dirty. Burrow takes two nasty high shots. Various punches start to fly from Wigan fists in the tackles. Leeds hang on. Burrow kicks the ball in to touch. Thirty seconds to go and Hall gathers after the hooter sounds and the Leeds players go mental. As do the fans. Strangers hug strangers in blue. Tears fall for this historic moment. This Leeds team might just be the greatest rugby league team ever assembled, the greatest rugby team of either code.
The Wigan fans leave the ground as the Leeds fans sing songs to the heroes who carry the trophy round the ground. Waving to the fans in this last goodbye.
In era comes to a close. It may take time for a new Leeds team to gel but many new players are coming through. The bookmakers already have Leeds as favourites for next years champions. The golden age may not be over yet.
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