The Giants were leading with less than four minutes remaining, but Liam Marshall’s attempt won the trophy for Wigan.
“It was enormously tough,” Watson said.
“I don’t think we could have done much more.
“The guys made a huge turnaround and I think we were outstanding as a group, we were the better team for a lot of the game and we didn’t get what we deserved.
“It hurts because of the effort they’ve put in.”
Watson, who had lost two previous finals as manager of the Salford Red Devils, refused to point the finger at full-back Tui Lolohea for his four missed shots on target.
He said: “It is what it is, we still could have won the game.
“I’ve had a good talk with Tui, he’s going to be punished for missing goals, but there are other reasons why we lost the game that we have to look at, rather than the shots.”
Leader of the pack, Chris Hill, suffered a calf injury in the first half and Watson admitted his loss was “a big, big blow”.
The Giants had man of the game at second row Chris McQueen.
He said: “We could and should have won.
“I am proud of the boys, but disappointed by the whole club.
“I don’t think we deserve what we have.”
Of his Lance Todd award, McQueen admitted: “It’s something I’m extremely proud of, but I’d give it back for the other trophy.”
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Source: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-28 16:56:39
