Wigan thrash Salford to retain League Leaders’ Shield
Wigan Warriors secured the League Leaders’ Shield for the second consecutive season by scoring 11 tries in a dominant win against an understrength Salford Red Devils.
Wigan – who have now won three of the four trophies on offer to them in 2024 and could still lift all four – went into their final game of the regular season knowing they would finish top of Super League if they avoided defeat.
That prospect appeared almost certain when Salford, already guaranteed a play-off spot, elected to rest several first-choice players in preparation for their eliminator tie next week and gave Super League debuts to eight players.
Wigan winger Liam Marshall, Super League’s leading try scorer in 2024, took his tally for the season to 27 by crossing twice – his second a length-of-the-field sprint to the line.
There was a hat-trick of tries for full-back Jai Field, while hooker Kruise Leeming and Bevan French both touched down twice.
Zach Eckersley and Jake Wardle added further scores in a one-sided contest at Brick Community Stadium as the hosts won the League Leaders’ Shield back-to-back for the first time in their history.
Fourth-placed Salford await for the outcome of Friday’s game between Leigh and St Helens to discover whether they will play at home or away in their play-off opener. If Saints do not win, Salford will have a home fixture.
