Sheffield E 24 Wigan 34

WIGAN underlined just why they are the champions by turning on the style to shoot down the high-flying Eagles.

The home side were going for a club-record of10 successive wins, but they had Wigan standing in their way, and despite fielding several youngsters and with nothing more than pride at stake, the champions were in no mood to be rolled over.

Inspired once again by Va'aiga Tuigamala - who is ending the season is sensationsal style - the Riversiders had too much pace and power for the Yorkshiremen.

"It was a very satisfying win," said coach Graeme West. "We came here with a will to win and Tuigamala had a great game. The players did exactly what was asked of them. "We pushed in several youngsters and they complemented the seniors who led by example."

Wigan started slowly allowing John Lawless to dart over from short range and Dave Mycoe goaled - but then up stepped Tuigamala.

The big Kiwi sidestepped past three defenders to score himself before again sucking in the defence to send Mick Cassidy over and then finished off a move by crashing in at the corner. Henry Paul added two of the goal attempts. A great Cassidy break ended with Kris Radlinski racing 50 yards for a touchdown and Paul's goal made it 20-6. But the Eagles responded with a Ryan Sheridan try and Mycoe goal before the break.

Paul and Martin Offiah added a try each and Paul a goal and it looked like plain sailing at 30-12, but the Eagles stormed right back into contention with tries by Lynton Stott and Sheridan while Mycoe added both goals.

Not surprisingly Tuigamala had the last word bursting through again before sending Rob Smyth in at the corner.

WIGAN: Radlinski, Smyth, Tuigamala, Craig, Offiah, Paul, Robinson, Cowie, Dermott, O'Connor, Barrow, Cassidy, Johnson. Subs: Haughton (for Cassidy HT), Knowles (for O'Connor 57), Cardiss (for Paul 62), Baynes (for Cowie 75). Att: 4,739. Wigan wind up their season with a home clash against Leeds tomorrow when Central Park fans have their first view of Shem Tatupu. The Western Samoan, signed from rugby union in October, has played several games in the 'A' team but gets his first senior run-out with a place on the bench. Scott Quinnell is also expected to have recovered from the achilles tendon strain which kept him out of last night's game.

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