SAINTS failed to take advantage of a strong start as they went down 24-12 in a sell out derby.
Wigan made the best of their opportunities to lead 16-0 at half time before Joe Greenwood sparked a mini comeback.
But the damage had been done despite a late score from Theo Fages.
Saints dominated the early stages, forcing a drop out and repeat sets.
Luke Walsh combined with Jon Wilkin to set Theo Fages free and then more enterprising play saw Tommy Makinson almost profit.
That pattern continued for the opening 15 minutes but once Wigan got a foothold, Saints struggled.
The Warriors won back to back sets and a penalty – and the ball headed right for Manfredi to put them ahead.
On their next attacking set the winger repeated his feat too, cutting Saints up down the right side to create the space for Sam Powell to increase the lead.
The young hooker simply tapping the ball forward from the play the ball and collecting the kick, to go under the posts.
And on the half hour mark it got worse as Joel Tomkins cut through the right hand side to make it 14-0 to the Warriors.
Matty Smith converting for 16-0.
Saints had a dig as the end of the half approached and should have got themselves back into the game.
LMS was held up over the line and then a kick to the corner from Walsh failed to find Makinson.
Saints needed a strong start to the second half – and got anything but as from the kick off the ball went dead for a drop out.
The defence did the trick though and then Makinson was unlucky not to profit as he chipped over the top.
Charnley had one chalked off for a ball steal but Smith added a penalty on the 50 minute mark to extend the advantage more.
Saints weathered the storm and then hit back through Joe Greenwood following a number of repeat sets.
But they couldn’t profit once more and Smith ghosted through a massive gap to seal the win.
Fages pulled one back on the closing stages to cap a solid performance from the Frenchman but the damage had been done.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Greenwood, Fages
Goals: Walsh (2 from 2)
Warriors:
Tries: Manfredi, Powell, Tomkins, Smith
Goals: Smith (4 from 5)
Penalties:
Saints: 9
Warriors: 8
HT: 0-16
FT: 12-24
REF: R Hicks
ATT: 17,890
Teams:
Saints:
23. Shannon McDonnell; 2. Tommy Makinson, 18. Dominique Peyroux, 21. Matty Dawson, 22. Jack Owens; 19. Theo Fages, 7. Luke Walsh; 14. Lama Tasi, 6. Travis Burns, 10. Kyle Amor, 12. Jon Wilkin, 20. Joe Greenwood, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Subs: 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 15. Greg Richards, 17. Luke Thompson.
Wigan:
4. Dan Sarginson; 5. Dominic Manfredi, 3. Anthony Gelling, 20. Oliver Gildart, 2. Josh Charnley; 13. Sean O’Loughlin, 7. Matty Smith; 10. Ben Flower, 16. Sam Powell, 15. Tony Clubb, 11. Joel Tomkins, 14. John Bateman, 26. Greg Burke.
Subs: 17. Lee Mossop, 19. Taulima Tautai, 21. Ryan Sutton, 27. Nick Gregson.
