St Helens put themselves within touching distance of winning the League Leaders Shield with a win over rivals Wigan.
MATCH DETAILS
Zak Hardaker opened the scoring for Wigan after St Helens were penalised early on for dissent after knocking on the ball close to their line.
St Helens then decided to go for two when Morgan Smithies was penalised for holding down at the play the ball. Lachlan Coote converted to level up the scores.
Tommy Makinson then scored the first try of the game when a cut-out pass found Joe Burgess out of position and the England winger had a fairly easy finish in the corner.
Wigan then had another penalty near the Saints’ line and despite being behind they opted to go for two once again to make it 6-4.
With five minutes to go until half time, Makinson scored his second as a sweeping move from left to right saw him stroll in at the corner.
Saints made it comfortable for themselves after the break as a clever curving grubber from Theo Fages was touched down by Coote.
Joe Burgess was having a bit of a nightmare on the left wing for Wigan. He was unable to take a high Fages kick which was then taken by Kevin Naiqama to score.
Jonny Lomax took Saints out of sight. Morgan Knowles charged down a Wigan kick and Lomax was able to touch down.
Wigan got a consolation try with a charge down of their own through Zak Hardaker. Hardaker then used his footballing skills to get away from a chasing Alex Walmsley to make the final score 32-10.
FOUR POINTERS
Big crowd
Much was made about Sky’s decision to show Leeds vs Hull KR instead of the derby but the fans came out in droves to make it a sell out and the atmosphere was electric.
Must win something
Surely Saints have to win one of the major trophies this season. In the last three weeks they have beaten second, third and now fourth place in the league without breaking too much of a sweat. They are a class above everyone in the league and it would be a travesty not see them win at least one major trophy.
Smithies and Partington
The young duo of Morgan Smithies and Oli Partington were the two best performers for Wigan which can be taken as a positive or a negative. The positive being that these two have a massive future in the game and the negative being that more experienced players didn’t stand up.
Holbrook to go?
During the game Saints fan were singing that they wanted Justin Holbrook to stay. In a post match interview he said that “them singing made him made him emotional”. Is this a hint that it will be Holbrook’s last season before joining the NRL?
THE RESULT
St Helens 32
Tries: Makinson (2) Coote, Naiqama, Lomax
Goals: Coote (6)
Drop Goals: n/a
Wigan Warriors 10
Tries: Hardaker
Goals: Hardaker (3)
Drop Goals: n/a
SQUADS
St Helens:ย Coote, Makinson, Naiqama, Percival, Grace, Fages, Lomax, Walmsley, Bentley, Thompson, Peyroux, Knowles, McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Interchanges: Amor, Lees, Ashworth, Smith
Wigan Warriors: Hardaker, Marshall, Sarginson, Gildart, Burgess, Williams, Leuluai, Navarette, Powell, Smithies, Partington, Farrell, Isa
Interchanges: Bullock, Hankinson, Shorrocks, Byrne
