By Colin Henrys
AAP
12:19pm Sun 06th October, 2013
Wigan claimed the first grand final and Challenge Cup double in seven years at Old Trafford and for Pat Richards it was a perfect Super League swansong.
The Wests Tigers-bound winger has spent seven years at the club and it was fitting that he scored the final try that capped a remarkable comeback win in Manchester against Warrington on Saturday.
Richards ended up with a 14-point haul as Shaun Wane's side overcame a 16-2 first-half deficit.
Tries from Joel Monaghan, Stuart Grix and Ben Westwood seemed to have set Warrington on the way to victory but Wigan fought back in the second stanza.
Michael McIlorum, man-of-the-match Blake Green and Josh Charnley all added to Darrell Goulding's first-half try before Richards himself went over to seal a remarkable win.
And the winger admitted it was the perfect way for him and the side's other departing stars, including Auckland-bound Sam Tomkins, to bow out.
"It won't sink in properly until I go and clean my locker out on Tuesday, all my old boots and kicking tees, and say goodbyes to everyone," said Richards.
"But I'm going to really enjoy this with this group of lads. This club is very special and I'm leaving with many great memories.
"Warrington looked like they running away with the game and that's what they do. They're a great side.
"Just before halftime we scored at a crucial time and came in with a bit of belief."
Tomkins, who will line up for the Warriors in the 2014 NRL season, agreed with his teammate's assessment.
"There's no relief from ending a journey like this, it's sad to be ending," he said.
"But if there's a way it has to finish then let it be this."
For Warrington, it was a case of deja vu after they fell at the final hurdle for the second year in a row.
Injuries during the clash to both Joel Monaghan and Stefan Ratchford upset their rhythm.
But coach Tony Smith was far from disconsolate, indeed the younger brother of Brian insisted his side had much to be thankful for.
"Who can tell how disruptive they (the injuries) were," he said.
"You can't be decisive about that - it was disruptive of course but you hope to be able to handle those situations as well and we weren't able to tonight.
"Wigan were too good and deserved to win on the back of all that field position in the second half."
AAP
12:19pm Sun 06th October, 2013
Wigan claimed the first grand final and Challenge Cup double in seven years at Old Trafford and for Pat Richards it was a perfect Super League swansong.
The Wests Tigers-bound winger has spent seven years at the club and it was fitting that he scored the final try that capped a remarkable comeback win in Manchester against Warrington on Saturday.
Richards ended up with a 14-point haul as Shaun Wane's side overcame a 16-2 first-half deficit.
Tries from Joel Monaghan, Stuart Grix and Ben Westwood seemed to have set Warrington on the way to victory but Wigan fought back in the second stanza.
Michael McIlorum, man-of-the-match Blake Green and Josh Charnley all added to Darrell Goulding's first-half try before Richards himself went over to seal a remarkable win.
And the winger admitted it was the perfect way for him and the side's other departing stars, including Auckland-bound Sam Tomkins, to bow out.
"It won't sink in properly until I go and clean my locker out on Tuesday, all my old boots and kicking tees, and say goodbyes to everyone," said Richards.
"But I'm going to really enjoy this with this group of lads. This club is very special and I'm leaving with many great memories.
"Warrington looked like they running away with the game and that's what they do. They're a great side.
"Just before halftime we scored at a crucial time and came in with a bit of belief."
Tomkins, who will line up for the Warriors in the 2014 NRL season, agreed with his teammate's assessment.
"There's no relief from ending a journey like this, it's sad to be ending," he said.
"But if there's a way it has to finish then let it be this."
For Warrington, it was a case of deja vu after they fell at the final hurdle for the second year in a row.
Injuries during the clash to both Joel Monaghan and Stefan Ratchford upset their rhythm.
But coach Tony Smith was far from disconsolate, indeed the younger brother of Brian insisted his side had much to be thankful for.
"Who can tell how disruptive they (the injuries) were," he said.
"You can't be decisive about that - it was disruptive of course but you hope to be able to handle those situations as well and we weren't able to tonight.
"Wigan were too good and deserved to win on the back of all that field position in the second half."
