Bateman cuts down the Giants
JOHN BATEMAN produced a performance worthy of a Grand Final as Wigan marched to next Saturday’s showpiece at Old Trafford at a canter.
The 22- year- old joined the Warriors from Bradford at the end of the 2013 season after growing tired of the financial chaos at his home- town club. Wigan paid about £ 70,000 for his services and the deal continues to look ludicrously cheap.
Ostensibly a back- rower, Bateman has prospered in the centres this season and his work- rate – he tackled everything that moved – was augmented by two well- taken tries .
Bateman’s 35th- minute score helped Shaun Wane’s side into a 12- 2 interval lead against a disappointing Giants outfit.
Huddersfield simply cannot shed their tag as Super League’s chokers – they have won just three of 15 sudden- death ties in the play- offs since 2007. But Wigan can start preparing to face Leeds or St Helens – who meet at Headingley tonight – in next Saturday’s title decider after reaching the final for the third successive year.
Prop Ben Flower sent Wigan on their way to victory when he collected a delightful inside pass from Matty Smith and crashed under the posts. As half- time approached, Bateman took Dom Manfredi’s pass from Sam Powell’s kick and finished in the right corner.
Danny Brough’s penalty got the Giants off the mark but it did nothing to mask their shortcomings. After the break, Manfredi, Bateman and Tony Clubb touched down, with Brett Ferres replying for the Giants.