A weekend full of Grand Final action sees Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors go head to head to lift the Betfred Wheelchair Grand Final trophy on Sunday afternoon at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester, kick off 5.30pm.
The Grand Final caps off the last of two games at the NBC as North Wales Crusaders take on Wigan Warriors’ Development squad at 2.30pm in the Championship Final.
Find out more about the Grand Final and our opponents Wigan here…
Opposition Overview
A new name could potentially be added to the trophy on Sunday as Wigan Warriors prepare to appear in their first Grand Final on Sunday.
In only their second season in the Super League division, the Warriors have been competing with the top teams as they backed up their second-place finish in 2022 with a third-place rank this time around behind Leeds and London. An opening round shock win over Halifax, the reigning Super League champions, set out the intentions of head coach Chris Greenhalgh’s side early doors as the England international led the club to five wins throughout the regular season.
Up until game five, Wigan had only mustered a convincing win over Warrington at Preston College, but the second half of the season was more fruitful as they won three of their remaining games. A 70 point haul against Hull FC was one of two consecutive wins as Warrington were also defeated in game eight, and after a tough performance on the road against the Rhinos, a final win over the black and whites set the Cherry and Whites’ up for an away semi final against London Roosters.
During the season, London had won both contests against Wigan, including a tight 38-30 result at the National Basketball Centre. In the semi final though, a resilient performance put the Warriors in the contest, particularly when Jack Heggie and Phil Roberts got over the try line to give the visitors a 12 point lead at the break. An enthralling second half started in style as the Warriors hit the front 42-28, which the Roosters couldn’t recover from. Although Tom Coyd’s side brought the scoreline back to nine points, the full-time whistle sealed a historic win for Wigan and their wheelchair side.
Game 1 – Won 59-45 vs Halifax Panthers (Robin Park Arena)
Game 2 – Lost 38-50 vs Leeds Rhinos (Birchwood Community High School)
Game 3 – Lost 28-62 vs Halifax Panthers (University of Birmingham)
Game 4 – Won 158-18 vs Warrington Wolves (Preston College)
Game 5 – Lost 16-48 vs London Roosters (Sports Central)
Game 6 – Lost 30-38 vs London Roosters (National Basketball Centre)
Game 7 – Won 70-20 vs Hull FC (Allam Sports Centre)
Game 8 – Won 138-2 vs Warrington Wolves (Medway Sports Park)
Game 9 – Lost 36-68 vs Leeds Rhinos (The Edge)
Game 10 – Won 32-10 vs Hull FC (Robin Park Arena)
Semi Finals – Won 43-34 vs London Roosters (SportsDock, University of East London)
2022 Grand Final
Last season saw Halifax get their hands back on the Grand Final trophy for the first time since 2019.
Facing off against the Rhinos, the Panthers had to fend off a valiant effort from Leeds, who came back in the second half to close the scoreline. Nevertheless, it was Halifax who hoisted the trophy after the final whistle.
Grand Final History
Sunday’s Grand Final could see a new club write their name on the Wheelchair Grand Final trophy, or the Rhinos win their third championship in five years. Last year’s winners Halifax Panthers have been one of the most successful teams at the Final stage with seven league titles. Six of those Finals were played against the Rhinos, who last won the Grand Final trophy in 2021 with a convincing performance against Leyland Warriors as James Simpson’s side completed the treble.
The Rhinos also lifted the Grand Final trophy in 2018 as they ended three back-to-back losses to Halifax in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
Wigan on the other hand look to become the first new name on the trophy since Leyland Warriors in 2014. Before that, Bury Jigsaw claimed the title from the hands of Halifax in the pre-Super League era.
Previous Finals
2013 – Bury Jigsaw 56 Halifax 47
2014 – Won by Leyland Warriors
2015 – Won by Halifax Panthers
2016 – Halifax Panthers 68 Leeds Rhinos 54
2017 – Halifax Panthers 72 Leeds Rhinos 18
2018 – Leeds Rhinos 54 Halifax Panthers 44
2019 – Halifax Panthers 50 Leeds Rhinos 42
2020 – Cancelled due to COVID
2021 – Leeds Rhinos 52 Leyland Warriors 36
2022 – Halifax Panthers 52 Leeds Rhinos 48
Be at the Final
Be there for the season finale at the Wheelchair Super League Grand Final on Sunday 15 October (KO 17:30) at the National Basketball Performance Centre.
All tickets for the Grand Final are only £5 Adults and £2 U16s. To book Accessible Seating for the Wheelchair Grand Final, please email ticketing@rlcommercial.co.uk providing your name, contact details and seating requirements. For more information on Accessible Seating at RL major events, please visit HERE.
Secure your tickets HERE.
Don’t forget that you can also watch the game live on Sky Sports Arena from 5pm.
Spectator Information
The full address for The National Basketball Performance Centre is Kirkmanshulme Lane, Manchester, M12 4TF.
Parking is available on site.