Bevan French has uncorked yet another spellbinding moment of brilliance with his wonderful solo try inspiring Wigan to a successful Super League title defence as the world champions downed a gallant Hull KR side 9-2 in the Old Trafford grand final.
Australian wizard French became the first man to win the player of the match awards in both the Challenge Cup and Super League finals after his match-breaking score and superb running proved the difference in a tight, low-scoring affair.
His first-half masterpiece ensured that Wigan, for whom French also shone when they beat the all-conquering Penrith at the start of the year to win the World Club Challenge, have become the first club ever to claim the quadruple of all four major titles in a single season in the British game.
French, the former Parramatta Eels flyer, ended up scoring the game’s only try, with two kicks from fellow Aussie Adam Keighran and a Harry Smith drop-goal nudging Matt Peet’s men to the seven-point win.
Rovers, coached by another Australian Willie Peters, had been targeting their first domestic title in four decades, but couldn’t take their chances to crack the mighty Wigan defence and had only a penalty from Mikey Lewis to show for their efforts.
It was French who lit up the match, breaking the 0-0 deadlock with his 23rd minute score in which he produced a little feint as if to pass, only to dart between two markers including Man of Steel Lewis and slalomed his way past the covering defender to the line.
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