BEN FLOWER IS CENTIMETRES OUT! Held-up.

Then Wigan whizz it wide right and Liam Farrell tries to loop one to Oliver Gildart, but the makeshift winger is just out of the position he needed and Warrington survive.

Image source, PA

JOSH CHARNLEY PUT INTO TOUCH!

The ex-Wigan winger closes in on a kick rolled in behind the defence and it looks as though he might make the corner but Wigan rally and Charnley is rolled into touch.

Plenty of walking wounded at the moment, running repairs. Lungs sucking in air desperately.

Image source, Getty Images

Warrington have been energised in the past couple of minutes and Stefan Ratchford has been at the heart of it. He's causing all sorts of problems with his broken field running. Just needed the extra gas but he's flying right now.

Cometh the hour... will Ratchford be the man?

Ouch!published at 56 mins

56 mins

Wigan 8-4 Warrington

Sorry if you're eating your tea...

Image source, Rex Features

Out of nothing Stefan Ratchford jags the line and soars through into space but Wigan eventually scramble to shut him down.

His teammates aren't on the same wavelength though as the resulting play comes to nowt. Lost opportunity.

Image source, swpix.com

Liam Farrell looked like he was tipped over the horizontal but Warrington don't concede the penalty.

Warrington numbering up well as Wigan crab across field... George Williams denied as he stepped dangerously!

Then a final kick through sees Stefan Ratchford on his bike to shepherd the kick behind and earn his side a 20 metre tap.

It's been calm and measured but suddenly Wigan unload an attack and force a drop out, Morgan Escare just beaten to the ball by Tyrone Roberts.

Drop out to come...

Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC Radio 5 live

I really like the way Wigan are going about their business - very patient, there's no panic in anything that they are doing.

They seem very structured and everybody knows their place and role.

That's exactly where you want to be when you are leading the game in a Grand Final because Warrington will start to feel the pressure.

Image source, PA

Ouch!published at 52 mins

52 mins

Wigan 8-4 Warrington

The Ouch is getting a few runs out here. It's been brutal in recent time.

Josh Charnley this time collides his knee with the face of Morgan Escare, and that results in a penalty.

It's the same punishment as faced Sam Tomkins. Cannot fault Robert Hicks for his calls so far. He's got a Grand Final and Challenge Cup double this season.

Image source, PA

John Bateman has played Test rugby, in a World Cup final no less, so he won't care about playing there in a Grand Final.

Oli Gildart shipped to the wing. Sean O'Loughlin is on. Wigan need him to fire.

Warrington playing out of their own end, Joe Philbin crashes into contact. Up to half-way.

Ouch!published at 50 mins

50 mins

Wigan 8-4 Warrington

Dom Manfredi has a try and a bust eye for his troubles, having blocked off Tom Lineham.

He's off for a head injury assessment. More reshuffling for the Warriors.

Iestyn Harris
Former Great Britain and Wales international on BBC Radio 5 live

I think Wigan have got something up their sleeve - they've got Sean O’Loughlin still on the bench and when he comes back on the field you'll see a more expansive Wigan side.

Warrington will have to score some points before O’Loughlin comes back on.

Superb defence by Wigan because Warrington had again set-up the play to put Tom Lineham in on the left but the sheer weight of numbers puts him in touch.

Sensational tussle this now. Lineham thought he was in but crunching defence stands up firm.

Ryan Segal: Been a pretty good final so far...Really hoping Sam Tomkins gets a try on his farewell to Lancashire, such a class talent

Wigan are well aware of the threat posed by that Warrington left edge because Tom Lineham and Bryson Goodwin haven't been given a minute's peace.

Warrington swing a kick to the right on the last which is gathered up by Sam Tomkins, but he's forced behind the line.

Wigan to drop out. Wire to get the ball back.

We're well back in arm-wrestle mode in this second-half. Both sides paying huge respect to each other's attack and defence. It's tighter than my waistband after an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet.

Wigan run aground in midfield on the last but the kick is good. Stefan Ratchford retreats to collect the loose ball which gives Warrington far less time to come forward.

A couple of times Warrington have looked for that play which put Tom Lineham in twice against Saints but it's been well read by Wigan.

The Wire have bopped Wigan on both sides, but when they kick on the last it's mopped up by Dom Manfredi.

What pace and strength from the winger to scythe his way through the Warrington defence, gets away from danger and puts Wigan on the front foot.

Wigan play for territory, having got to the Warrington 40 on the last, so Sam Tomkins just rolls the ball into backfield and gives his side the call to chase.

Image source, PA

Again there's plenty of enthusiasm in the defence to shut down Warrington but Joe Greenwood can't clear the ruck and it's a Warrington penalty.

They're 30 metres out.

After all the fireworks and ferocity, can the second-half live up to the first's cauldron-like atmosphere?

Wigan have gone about their first set with simplicity. Warrington have done the same, nothing expansive from either side.

Routine five drives and a kick. Time for both teams to feel each other out again after the break.

Jon Wilkin
Former England forward on BBC Radio 5 live

All that pushing and shoving that went on in the tunnel at half-time will benefit Wigan, it can galvanise you.

The Wigan players have obviously taken umbrage to something that Bryson Goodwin has said, they'll be talking about that in the dressing room.