Few games are as highly anticipated as encounters between St
Helens and the Wigan Warriors, the original derby, and in terms of the race for
play off positions in 2025, this match up was one of the most anticipated in recent
history.
Wigan were favourites with the bookies but there was very
little to choose between the two sides, Saints with just a two-point start on
the coupon as there was really very little to choose between the two sides.
A win for Saints would put them fourth with two games
remaining, a win for the Warriors would do their quest for a home semi-final a
power of good as they would move two points clear of the Rhinos, who they face
in the final round of the season.
The gloves were off as early as the first minute when the two
sides squared up to one another after a massive hit from St Helens on the Wigan
ball carrier. At the end of the resulting set, Saints forced a goal line dropout
which was followed by a penalty for an obstruction on Kyle Feldt as he chased a
kick.
On the first play of the next set, with five minutes on the
clock, a delightful, floated ball from Jack Welsby found Deon Cross in an ocean
of space to go in down the left wing. The conversion from Feldt went wide of
the uprights.
Saints started like a ‘house on fire’, Wigan were struggling
to get any possession or position.
On twenty-eight the Warriors made it back to level terms
after an initial Liam Farrell break through the line and down the centre of the
field saw him hailed down ten short. A fast play the ball saw Junior Nsemba
smack into the defensive line before flighting a ball to Jake Wardle to go over
from five out. Harry Smith attempted the conversion but was wide with his
effort, the sides all square.
Four minutes later the Warriors hit the front, an Nsemba
offload over his head into the hands of Liam Marshall who stepped inside and
dived over the line. This time Smith found the sweet spot and added the conversion
for 10-4.
Smith extended the lead with a penalty goal on thirty-nine
following a high hit by Curtis Sironen, the visitors having a fifteen-minute
purple patch at the end of the half to take a 12-4 lead into the sheds.
Wigan struck a hammer blow just four after the restart,
Bevan French picking up a Mark Percival grubber and flicking a pass to Jai
Field a couple from his own line, the full back pinning back his ears and
outpacing all Saints chasers in a sprint to the line. Harry Smith added the
conversion and Wigan were looking very comfortable at 18-4.
Try as they might St Helens found it impossible to break
through a ferocious Wigan defence.
On seventy-six Saints had a Cade Ellis try ruled out for a
double movement, it was a frustrating end to a bad evening for the home side.
The Warriors pick up two more league points to greatly
increase their chances of finishing second and earning a week off in the play
off’s followed by a home semi-final in their quest for Old Trafford and another
Super League title. This was Saints big chance to cause pain to the old enemy
and lift themselves up to fourth in the table but they were unable to grasp
their chance and instead remain fifth, now unlikely to climb higher and forcing
them to win away twice on their path to a potential Old Trafford final.
St Helens: Sailor, Feldt (G 0/1), Robertson, Percival, Cross
(T), Lomax, Mbye, Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Batchelor, Whitley, Welsby. Subs: Sironen, Bell, Paasi, Burns. 18th
Man: Whitby.
Wigan Warriors: Field (T), Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle (T),
Marshall (T), French, Smith (G 3/4), Hill, O’Neill, Byrne, Walters, Farrell,
Ellis. Subs: Havard, Thompson, Nsemba, Leeming. 18th Man: Dupree.
Half-Time: 4-12.
Full-Time: 4-18.
Score Progression: 4-0, 4-4, 4-8, 4-10, 4-12 : HT: 4-16, 4-18 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: St Helens – Square - Wigan.
Referee: Jack Smith.
