LIAM’S GRAND VISION
‘Outstanding’ hat-trick cues Peet’s Faz dream
MATTY PEET lauded his “absolutely outstanding” hat-trick hero Liam Marshall as ruthless Wigan Warriors marched into the Super League Grand Final.
In his 150th club appearance, the prolific winger scored twice in a devastating opening spell which saw Warriors 18-0 up inside just 11 minutes.
Stunned Hull KR – with inspirational captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall playing his last game before retirement – never truly recovered.
Rampant League Leaders’ Shield winners Wigan will face second-placed Catalans – and former Warriors hero Sam Tomkins – at Old Trafford on Saturday, bidding to win their first title in five years.
On this evidence, Peet’s side will be hard to stop.
When Marshall completed his treble to make it 24-6 in the 43rd minute all hope of KR achieving a maiden Grand Final appearance was already over. Wigan were simply too strong, too fast and too good as they exacted sweet revenge for July’s agonising golden-point Challenge Cup semi-final loss.
Peet enthused: “I thought Liam Marshall was absolutely outstanding.
“As well as his tries, his defensive work and his carries, it was just an excellent performance. He shows hard work pays off.
“But it was a great team display, too. You don’t expect that sort of scoreline in a semi but we got off to a good start and it was a pleasure to watch.
“We’ve players who, if they see opportunities, have licence to take them. They did.”
Captain Liam Farrell (right, inset) chalked up his 350th Wigan appearance and Peet, making his first Grand Final, added: “For me to walk out with Faz next Saturday I’ll be so proud. We’ve been talking about doing that and I’ve been dreaming about it for years. Everything you do and talk about it is to build for days like this.
“But for Faz, with two of his best mates on the other side in Sam [Tomkins] and Micky [McIlorum], it will be extra special.
“It’ll be a fantastic game with two great teams and so much talent on show.” That undoubtedly includes two-try Aussie full-back Jai Field, who was at his mesmerising best behind a dominant pack, cutting through to set up Marshall’s third-minute opener (above).
Field then latched onto Harry Smith’s clever reverse chip to get his first, before he had a hand in a slick move to get Marshall in again.
Elliot Minchella’s 22ndminute try offered some respite, but Hull KR blundered a couple of opportunities and it was oneway traffic in the second half.
Marshall, Toby King, Field and Abbas Miski all crossed as Wigan turned the screw, Smith finishing with seven goals from seven attempts.
To their credit, Rovers, who finished fourth and lost the Cup Final to Leigh, kept plugging away. They got a consolation try through Jez Litten and coach Willie Peters admitted: “It’s been a wonderful journey but it’s certainly not the way we wanted to end.
“We didn’t start either half well. It hurt us. We had no momentum. We’re not where we want to be yet. We want to be in those big games.”
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