Saints » Results

Your super Saints claimed their fourth League Leader's trophy in a row as they came from behind to draw with Wigan 16-16.

Daniel Anderson’s glittering trophy haul continued despite his charges being down after the first 40 minutes.

At one point Saints were 12-6 short in a game which oozed with passion, endeavour, toughness and a fair amount of biff from both teams.

But Matt Gidley gave them hope right on the stroke of half time before Ade Gardner scored his 29^th of the season early in the second.

Gids then went over again to put Saints ahead before Richards tied the game up with a penalty.

In really atrocious wet conditions, Saints fielded virtually the same team that won the Challenge Cup last week with Leon Pryce the only man to drop out.

The stand off pulled up with a calf injury during the week and was replaced by James Roby.

Wigan fielded a very strong side which included ‘new’ signing Tim Smith on the bench and a starting spot for Mickey Higham against his former club. Pat Richards and Phil Bailey also returned.

And it was clear from kick off that whoever could control the football, would probably emerge on top.

Saints had the first pressure of the game when a strong defensive set was converted into field position on attack. On the last tackle the ball went wide into the hands of Talau who just couldn’t squeeze his pass out before he went into touch.

Up the other end of the field a nice chip by Barrett was knocked dead by Paul Wellens. That gave Wigan another set of six from which they one another set after Leuluai’s kick was knocked safe.

Then Saints intercepted the ball through Francis Meli, went 70 yards and won a penalty after Wigan were adjudged to have lay on – but the chance was lost when Pat Richards intercepted a long pass.

That passage of play highlighted what was a real end to end opening ten minutes with both defences being on top when faced with pressure on their own lines.

On 12 minutes Ade Gardner took an absolute towering bomb from Trent Barrett and give Wigan their third drop out. Once again though, Saints' defence held firm.

A few minutes later James Graham was subject to an appalling late hit by Palea’aesina who took him out after the ball had gone. Jammer reacted, was sent to the sin bin for his trouble and amazingly Palea’aesina stayed on! And, to make the decision even more shocking, Saints won the penalty!

Both teams were rattled and Wigan were the first to take advantage – once again thanks to Klein – Carmont cutting back inside to evade the would be tacklers. Richards making it 6.

And after yet another penalty, they were back in again through Joel Tomkins. Richards again 100 per cent with the conversion.

Saints needed something big to get back in the game and a knock on in Wigan’s 20 was a perfect opportunity to haul themselves into contention. And after winning another set through a penalty, a nice kick from Long gave Wigan a drop out.

But Saints finally got on the board two minutes from the end of the first half when Matt Gidley suckered in the centre and winger and went over – the video ref taking an age to give him the benefit of the doubt. Long with the extras right off the touchline.

Mike Bennett paraded in front of the fans at half time to thank them following his decision to retire.

Half Time: Saints 6 Wigan 12

Pat Richards edged Wigan eight points ahead early in the second half following another penalty decision from Klein.

But Saints got themselves rolling when the ball was sent out through several pairs of hands to Longy, Gidley and finally to Gardner who went over in the corner.

It was his 29^th four-pointer of a glittering year in what must go down as one of the best seasons any winger has had in this competition. Long with the extras once again off the touchline.

Saints were buoyant and on their next attack Matt Gidley was suckering in the centre once more and plunging over for his second. The flowing move coming through Long and Eastmond. Long short with the extras.

Francis Meli looked to have added some insurance in the last quarter of the game after he caught a bouncing ball to go over in the corner but the video referee said he grounded the ball short.

Pat Richards leveled it up with ten minutes to go through yet another kindly given penalty in front of the sticks

Richards then tried a drop goal which caused more worry to the ball boys on the pop side, than the scorers.

Sean Long then looked to have put Saints in prime scoring territory with a 40:20 but the referee declined to go to the screen.

It was the final act of a great match.

Post match, Daniel Anderson said: “Some of the lads are disappointed but they feel like they have lost but they shouldn’t be too hard on themselves.

"In the end they've achieved the League leadership and finished top of the comp on their own. We still haven't been beaten in 22 matches and we've a home game against Leeds. You cannot ask for more than that.

“I thought it was a great game in poor conditions with lots of passion from both teams.”

He continued: “James Graham was hit late and he ran in to say a few words. I think if you deserve to be sin-binned for threatening retaliation after being hit high, late and off the ball, the instigator also deserves to be sin-binned."

Match Summary

Saints:

Tries: Gidley (2), Gardner

Goals: Long (2 from 3)

Wigan:

Tries: Carmont, Tomkins

Goals: Richards (4 from 4)

Penalties:

Saints: 13

Wigan: 10

HT (Sts First): 6-12

FT (Sts First): 16-16

REF: Ashley Klein

ATT: 14113

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 14. James Roby, 7. Sean Long; , 8. Nick Fozzard, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 17. James Graham, 11. Lee Gilmour, 16. Chris Flannery, 12. Jon Wilkin.

Subs: 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 21. Paul Clough, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu, 24. Kyle Eastmond.

Wigan:

1. Richie Mathers; 21. Cameron Phelps, 3. Darrell Goulding, 4. George Carmont, 5. Pat Richards; 6. Trent Barrett, 7. Thomas Leuluai; 8. Stuart Fielden, 9. Mickey Higham, 15. Andy Coley, 16. Harrison Hansen, 12. Phil Bailey, 22. Joel Tomkins.

Subs: 10. Iafeta Palea’aesina, 14. Liam Colbon, 19. Paul Prescott, 32. Tim Smith.

Friday 5th Sep 2008, 8:00pm Attendance: 14113
	Vs
Saints	Vs	Wigan Warriors
16		16

Results

Saints 16 - 16 Wigan Warriors