It was a week which began with unexpected controversy and the prospect of this game not even taking place. But, in the end, there was an all too familiar outcome to a bristling derby as the reigning Super League champions moved to a place in the Grand Final and the verge of yet more history.

Wigan Warriors’ stunned the rugby league world on Wednesday morning with a statement alleging that the Leigh Leopards’ owner, Derek Beaumont, wanted to withdraw from this game in a row over ticket allocations, merely adding an extra layer of intrigue to the playoff semi-final.

However, the Leopards shrugged off any controversy surrounding their owner to play their part in a thrilling semi-final that never really looked settled or decided until the final moments. However, what this Warriors side are so good at is producing their best rugby in the biggest moments. That proved again to be the case on Friday night.

Leigh were much the stronger of the two sides in the opening quarter and, roared on by nearly 5,000 away supporters, would have been quietly confident it would be them progressing to Old Trafford for the first time. However, led by the impeccable Bevan French and Jai Field, Wigan edged the critical moments on the night in appalling weather conditions to make it three Grand Finals in a row, and move the Warriors to within one game of a third straight league title.

They have not quite hit the same heights this year as they did in 2024, when they clinched an unprecedented four trophies. But whether it is Hull KR or St Helens who emerge from Saturday’s second semi-final, they will not fancy the prospect of ending this era of dominance from Matt Peet and his men.

Wigan’s Patrick Mago (centre) attempts to get past Leigh Leopards’ Jack Hughes (left) and Owen Trout during the Super League playoff semi-final. Photograph: Richard Sellers/PA

“There’s a common trait at this time of the year where we really tighten things up,” Peet said after watching his side record their sixth straight win.

Having been second best for large stretches of the opening quarter, they were able to go ahead against the run of play when an error from the Leopards allowed Adam Keighran to collect a loose ball and feed French, who slid over unopposed to break the deadlock.

You wondered if Leigh’s heads would drop at that stage but, instead, they came back strong again. They deservedly levelled proceedings when Edwin Ipape’s superb pass put Robbie Mulhern through from short range by the Wigan posts to make it 6-6. But in truth this semi-final was decided in the two minutes before half-time.

Ipape took French out off the ball to hand Keighran a simple opportunity to make it 8-6 in favour of the Warriors. Then, with seconds remaining of the half, Wigan broke from deep courtesy of Field and French – undisputedly Super League’s best player – did the rest. Suddenly, a game that had been 6-6 was 14-6 in favour of the champions. It was a seismic couple of minutes.

Quick GuideWigan 18-6 Leigh teams and scorersShow

Wigan Field; Miski, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Byrne, O’Neill, Thompson, Walters, Farrell, Ellis. Interchange Havard, Nsemba, Mago, Leeming.

Tries French 2, Walters. Goals Keighran 3. 

Leigh Hodgson; Brand, Hanley, Niu, Charnley; O’Brien, Lam; Ofahengaue, Ipape, Mulhern, Halton, Trout, Liu. Interchange Hughes, Tuitavake, Davis, Dwyer. Try Mulhern. Goal O’Brien.

Referee Chris Kendall.

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“The key moment in the game is the Ipape penalty and that set after,” the Leigh coach, Adrian Lam, said. “Those two minutes broke my heart.”

Lam insisted the saga in the week concerning his owner did not affect the buildup of his players and their performance, and the effort that his side produced, would certainly back up that assertion.

But you always felt they had to score first after half-time to stand any chance and they were not able to break down the Warriors again. But goodness, they came close. With 15 minutes remaining, Owen Trout was freed and seemed destined to score but for a world class tackle from Field to deny him.

It was another of those critical moments in a big game that the Warriors always seem to be on the right side of and it took the wind from Leigh’s sails.

The Warriors were then able to close out a victory with minimal fuss and they were even able to score a third try after the hooter as French – who else? – provided a stunning pass for Sam Walters to stroll over from close range. Nobody would back against this side making it three titles in a row next Saturday.