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Saints clocked up their 15^th win on the bounce and continued their recent dominance over their local rivals with a thumping 46-12 win at the JJB Stadium.

Wigan played 75 minutes with 12-men after Michael McIlorum was sent off for a shocking high tackle on Ade Gardner and consequently, a totally dominant Saints put them to the sword.

Daniel Anderson’s men led 22-6 at half time thanks to tries from Gilmour, Cunningham, Roby and Ade Gardner’s 25^th of the season.

The second half continued in much the same vein as roared on by a fantastic away support, Jon Wilkin, Matt Gidley, Sean Long and Gardner all went over to seal a comprehensive victory.

On a greasy night for Rugby League, prop forward Jason Cayless returned to the 17 following the knee injury he sustained in the Hull KR game back in June.

Wigan left out kicker Pat Richards and recent signing Tim Smith was deemed a week too early for his Warriors’ debut.

Sean Long was given a guard of honour by his teammates as he ran out onto the field, marking his 300^th game for the Club.

And it was Keiron Cunningham who forced an error to give his charges prime field position in the opening minute-and-a-half.

Five tackles later, Gilmour was taking a nice pass from Long, who had combined with Cunningham, to go over. Long with the extras to give Saints a dream start and silence the partisan JJB Stadium.

Then, after five minutes, Michael McIlorum was sensationally sent off for a shocking high tackle on Ade Gardner – the Warrior lucky not to inflict more serious damage to the former Barrow player.

Saints were buoyed and on their third excursion into the Wigan half, Cunningham performed his trademark and burrowed over under pressure from two would be tacklers. The try given after some deliberation from the video referee and Long with the conversion.

Gardner thought he had scored moments later, but the pass from Gidley was called forward by referee Ashley Klein following a wonderful flowing passing move.

And on 20 minutes, Jon Wilkin seized on a loose ball, got it to Pryce who flew 40 yards only to see his pass to Meli fall to the floor.

Leuluai made Saints pay a minute later taking a nice inside ball close to the line to cut the lead. Phelps with the conversion.

Wigan were beginning to get on top down the middle and beginning to knock on the door on what has been a miserly Saints’ defence for the past 14 games.

But Saints remained steadfast in defence quelling a Wigan chance by taking the ball behind their own line and going the full length through great James Roby and Jon Wilkin work to force a drop out.

And, after winning a repeat set from some cheeky Sean Long play and some Wigan dissent, James Roby notched up his 12^th of the season. Long making it a six pointer.

Then, with then hooter poised to sound, Saints forced an error, moved it right through Pryce and Gilmour to Gidley who, over the line, then passed to Gardner for his 25^th of the season. Long wide of the left upright with his conversion attempt.

Half Time: Wigan 6 Saints 22

Jon Wilkin extended Saints’ lead nine minutes into the second half after another Wigan ball was put to ground. The second rower seized the moment, kicked the loose ball forward, waited for his opportunity and dove under the sticks. Long with the extras.

Flannery then moved out towards the right, placed the perfect chip through the Wigan defence, and Gidley easily touched down. Long converting.

Wigan thought they had pulled back a consolation score through Colbon, but he pushed Francis Meli on the way to touching down and the ‘try’ was scrubbed off.

On 57 minutes, Longy scored the try he wanted on his 300^th appearance. The mercurial scrum half latched onto a superb off load from Pryce to go under the sticks and then converted.

Wigan then had another try chalked off when Leuluai finished off a nice move – but the video referee spotted a knock on in the build up.

Ade Gardner then wrapped up the win with his second of the night – Gidley hoofing a pearler off the touchline.

Higham scored Wigan’s sole second half consolation with five minutes to go.

St Helens coach Daniel Anderson said: “It was a very professional job. We had to adjust to the wet conditions but I thought we kicked really well. Sean Long was in very good control of our game. To play 300 games is a tremendous achievement and it was well recognised."

Wigan coach Brian Noble added: “It's difficult enough to play that team with 13 men so with 12 it's a tough ask.

"We showed good effort at times, but we just invited St Helens into our half too many times and when the players look at the tape, they will be disappointed with some of the tries they conceded."

Match Summary

Wigan:

Tries: Leuluai, Higham

Goals: Phelps (2 from 2)

Saints:

Tries: Gilmour, Cunningham, Roby, Gardner (2), Wilkin, Gidley, Long

Goals: Long (6 from 7), Gidley (1 from 1)

Penalties:

Wigan: 8

Saints: 7

HT (Sts First): 22-6

FT (Sts First): 46-12

REF: Ashley Klein

ATT: 19,958

Teams:

Wigan:

1. Richard Mathers; 14. Liam Colbon, 3. Darrell Goulding, 4. George Carmont, 21. Cameron Phelps; 6. Trent Barrett, 7. Thomas Leuluai; 8. Stuart Fielden, 17. Michael McIlorum, 15. Andy Coley, 16. Harrison Hansen, 22. Joel Tomkins, 11. Gareth Hock.

Subs: 9. Mickey Higham, 10. Iafeta Paleaaesina, 24. Eamon O’Carroll, 27. Lee Mossop.

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 17. James Graham, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 11. Lee Gilmour, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Paul Sculthorpe.

Subs: 10. Jason Cayless, 14. James Roby, 16. Chris Flannery, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu.