Paul Wellens scored four tries for Saints to crush the WiganWarriors 34-18 at Cardiff’s Millenuim Stadium.

 

For the second time in a month, Wellens bagged four in one game and sent the Champions back to the top of the table and take his tally to 12 tries in five games.

 

A crowd of 32,384 witnessed Saints rounded off the first day of Millenium Magic’s action with some superb play as they recorded a seventh successive win over the Warriors.

 

Saints got off to a fantastic start after Jon Wilkin charged down a kick from Sean O’Loughlin. A quick play the ball later and Francis Meli charged through the Warriors defence and was over the white wash. Sculthorpe added the extras.

 

Wigan did reply with a try to go level, but the Saints were soon back in front with Wellens’ first.

Wellens exploited a gap left by Trent Barrett to score. Sculthorpe again converted.

 

Fantastic hands from St Helens released Meli down the left hand side. He was hauled down just inches short of the line. The ball was then spread across the defence and an inside pass from Bryn Hargreaves sent Matt Gidley over in the corner. Sculthorpe hit the post with his conversion attempt.

 

Saints then rounded off the first half with Wellens’ second try. Wellens was on hand to gather a -chip kick from Leon Pryce. Sculthorpe added the extras to give Saints a 22-6 lead at half time.

 

Wellens completed his hat-trick within five minutes of the restart after a superb in side pass from Sean Long. Sculthorpe sliced the kick wide of the posts.

 

Wigan replied with a Chris Ashton try. But once Wellens went over, there was no chance of a come back. Wellens scored from close range, with Sculthorpe adding the extras.

 

Sculthorpe then added a penalty goal to round off the scoring for Saints. Wigan did respond with a late try but the day was always going to belong to Saints.

By Louise Fildes

 

St Helens (22) 34.
Tries: Meli, Wellens 4, Gidley.

Goals: Sculthorpe 5.

Wigan (6) 18.
Tries: Fletcher, Ashton, Goulding.

Goals: Richards 3.

Wigan: Ashton, Calderwood, Bailey, Vaealiki, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Millard, Paleaaesina, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin. Replacements: Higham, Prescott, Hansen, Goulding.

Attendance: 32,384