The End of Term Report - Part Four

Wigan
Fourth place finish is no mean feat after 27 rounds of the regular season. To finish third after the play offs is always an achievement worth celebrating. But to do so in the manner that they did yesterday against Leeds is a tough pill to swallow.

Last nights game is up there with some of the best I've seen this year. I'm talking about Saints V Warrington, Brisbane V Melbourne standards. It was full of drama, controversy, bone crunching tackles and moments of genius with a few good tries thrown in for good measure. Mark Calderwood stood up and was noticed last night, for the first time since he joined Wigan from Leeds way back in 2005. He was truly remarkable. However I've got a whole article lined up for him so I'll leave the praise until then.

Wigan's season has seen more up and down than Jodie Marsh, ranging from the highs in Perpignan to the lows in Cardiff. They were never lucky to have gained fourth place in the final round of the season. A certain other team had it in their back pockets only for Dick Turpin aided by his merry band of scoucers to pick poket it from them. Actually thays a lie, they were given it on a plate.

Wigan never seem to go throuh a season without contraversy. They seem to have a reputation for breaking the salary cap, which in fairness is rightly deserved. An example of this is the signing of Tim Smith from Parramatta. Speculation was rife they were once again over the cap despite the earlier but unknown loan release of a few younger players. And then theres the whole stadium fiasco a feww weeks back. I've never been a fan of Wheelan, in fact I hate the guy for they way he treats the club as second class citizens despite the fact they have just as much right to play at the JJB Stadium as much as the football club do.

So another tough year for Wigan players, staff and the fans. Thats all in a years work, isn't it?