1 week ago
3
Image source, SWPix
Liam Marshall (left) is mobbed by team-mates after scoring the try which gave Wigan Warriors the lead at St Helens
Betfred Super League
St Helens (4) 4
Tries: Cross
Wigan (12) 18
Tries: Wardle, Marshall, Field Goals: Smith (3)
Wigan Warriors kept their bid for the League Leaders' Shield alive with an impressive derby win against St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
The Warriors knew that anything but a victory would all but hand Hull KR the trophy before they face Hull FC in their own derby on Sunday.
Saints dominated early on as a Deon Cross try put them ahead, but Wigan showed their pedigree as reigning champions by clawing their way back into the game as Jake Wardle and Liam Marshall scored tries and Harry Smith's penalty gave them breathing space at half-time.
Jai Field's brilliant length-of-the-field try sealed a win which means KR need to beat their neighbours at Craven Park to effectively take the Shield, although mathematically they would still need another victory.
Wigan knew that topping the table is something of a pipe-dream with long-time leaders Hull KR having three games in which to secure the two wins they need to add the League Leaders' Shield to the Challenge Cup they won in June.
Their prime aim is to build momentum going into the play-offs, and with the mercurial Bevan French back to something like his best after a long injury lay-off, and with head coach Matt Peet having restored their defensive solidity, they are in good nick as they seek to defend their title.
It did not look that way in the opening 20 minutes as Saints stormed on to the attack, with St Helens-born Deon Cross darting over from a superb looping pass from Jack Welsby.
Wigan girded their loins, however, and Liam Farrell's break set up a Jake Wardle try, before Liam Marshall capitalised on a successful leap and overhead pass from Junior Nsemba to add another.
Harry Smith kicked the extras and a penalty to give Wigan a cushion at half-time, and they were not to be denied in the second half.
The key moment came as Saints pressed hard to get back into the game but Mark Percival's grubber kick went badly wrong as French dived on it and brilliantly passed off the floor to Field, who raced away with Saints' players trailing in his wake.
St Helens: Sailor; Feldt, Robertson, Percival, Cross; Lomax, Mbye; Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Batchelor, Whitley, Welsby.
Interchanges: Sironen, Bell, Paasi, Burns.
Wigan: Field; Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Hill, O'Neill, Byrne, Walters, Farrell, Ellis.
Interchanges: Havard, Thompson, Nsemba, Leeming.
Referee: Jack Smith.
