Warrington Wolves win Super League Leaders' Shield

Omnisports

September 23, 2016 7:51 AM

Warrington Wolves will face St Helens in the Super League semi-finals after beating Hull FC to finish top of the pile.

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Tom Lineham scored two tries at his former club Hull FC as Warrington Wolves sealed the Super League Leaders' Shield with a 23-6 victory to set up a semi-final against fierce rivals St Helens.

Warrington missed the chance to clinch top spot when they threw away a 14-point lead to lose against 12-man Wigan Warriors, but made amends in their final game of the Super 8s on Friday.

Hull went into the game at the top of the pile and having won all three encounters with Tony Smith's side - including the Challenge Cup final last month - but were outplayed and will face a trip to Wigan for the second semi-final next Thursday.

Winger Lineham, who has endured a difficult first season at Warrington after moving from Hull, got on the end of a Stefan Ratchford kick to go over for an early try on his return from injury.

Kevin Penny added another eight minutes later for a Wolves side without the injured Kurt Gidley and forward Ben Currie, with Declan Patton's conversion stretching their advantage to 10-0 at the break.

A converted Carlos Tuimavave try early in the second half reduced the deficit to four points, but Patton landed three penalties and a late drop goal, with Lineham dotting down for second time to seal the Wolves' second Leaders' Shield, Warrington having also finished at the summit in 2011.

Warrington will face Saints at the Halliwell Jones Stadium next Thursday after Keiron Cunningham's men saw off Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 32-12 thanks to a Shannon McDonnell hat-trick.

Wigan ran riot against Catalans Dragons, scoring eight tries in a 48-24 mauling at the DW Stadium.

George Williams scored two of six first-half tries for the Warriors as they tore Catalans apart to lead 36-4 at half-time, with Matty Smith also crossing twice after interval and landing eight conversions.

Omnisports