Saints defeated on Derby Day

😤 Here's how your Saints line-up for 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗕𝗬 against @WiganWarriorsRL!

Sione Mata'utia is 🔙 whilst youngster George Delaney keeps his spot on the bench 💪 Let's go to work gentlemen ✊

Follow the game with our Match Centre 👇#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 7, 2023

The hosts had the first real chance with ball in good field position. The ball was moved into the Saints 20 but a good tackle on Bevan French stopped the Warriors’ attack on the last. Moments later, Saints had the ball in Wigan’s 20. However a poor end to the set gave Wigan the ball back, 0-0.

Wigan took the lead ten minutes in. A penalty allowed the hosts to move into Saints territory. They opted to go for a play down their short-side on the left, Jake Wardle throwing a dummy before finding the supporting Harry Smith on his inside to stroll under the sticks. Smith converted his own score, 6-0.

Saints almost grabbed a try back 25 minutes in. A move down the right saw Konrad Hurrell throw a great flick pass onto Tommy Makinson, he offloaded to Curtis Sironen, who was held just short of the line but he was able to offload and force a Wigan fumble for a repeat set. The Red V were unable to go over with their extra set of six either, as Wigan claimed a kick on the last tackle, 6-0.

Then, with just over 11 minutes left of the half, Wigan were awarded a penalty that once again put them into the visitors’ 20. Another penalty followed in front of the sticks, this time Wigan opted for two, and Smith converted to make it a two-score game, 8-0.

Saints went close with less than five minutes to go in the half. Hurrell found Makinson with a great offload as he peaked through the Wigan line, Tommy then broke downfield and was one-on-one against French, but he was just about pulled into touch with the try-line inches away. Another chance quickly followed. Jonny Lomax broke through the Cherry and White line and was looking for support, his pass was patted backwards by Liam Farrell though which gave the hosts the ball back as Saints were unable to capitalise, 8-0 it stayed.

Saints trailed rivals Wigan 8-0 at the break at the DW Stadium on Good Friday, with defences firmly on top in the first 40.

⏸ The hosts hold an eight-point lead at the break.#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 7, 2023

Wigan added another in the 52nd minute. A late hit pushed the hosts into Saints territory, a couple of tackles in, French threw a cut-out pass to Toby King who broke a tackle before stepping inside Welsby to score. Smith converted, 14-0.

The video referee was then called into action just after the hour mark. Saints marched forward and on the last, Lewis Dodd put in a great kick under the Wigan sticks and Lomax won the race to touch the ball down and grab Saints’ first points of the afternoon. Try was confirmed after a short check. Mark Percival converted, 14-6 the visitors trailed.

Lomax gets @Saints1890 back in it 😇

Thrilling conclusion coming up in the Good Friday derby live on @SkySportsRL Main Event & Arena 📺#SuperLeague #SLWigStH pic.twitter.com/kDIuOLn2jd

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 7, 2023

The video referee was called into action again with eleven minutes to go. Saints, in the Wigan 20, kicked high to their left. The ball was contested in the air and landed in the arms of Morgan Knowles. However, as Knowles went to ground the ball in the corner, he dropped it, so the score remained 14-6.

Wigan then went up the other end of the field, and were awarded a penalty in front of the sticks with nine minutes to go. There was a long pause between plays, as Sione Mata’utia had to be helped from the field on a stretcher following a tackle. Saints were able to hold out the hosts once the game restarted though, as Liam Farrell was tackled on the last, 14-6.

Saints had another great chance as we entered the final two minutes. Morgan Knowles made a big break down the middle and looked for support, he thought he saw Lewis Dodd on his outside but his pass ended up finding a Wigan shirt and the hosts survived again, 14-6.

That was the final chance of the game, as Saints were left to rue missed chances as they were beaten 14-6 by Wigan on Good Friday at the DW Stadium.

The Warriors get the win at the DW Stadium.#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 7, 2023

Match Summary

Wigan Warriors Team: Bevan French, Abbas Miski, Toby King, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Joe Shorrocks, Harry Smith, Liam Byrne, Sam Powell, Mike Cooper, Kai Pearce-Paul, Liam Farrell, Morgan Smithies.

Interchanges: Brad Singleton, Kaide Ellis, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill.

18th Man: Iain Thornley.

Tries: Harry Smith (10), Toby King (52)

Conversions: Harry Smith (2 from 2)

Penalties: Harry Smith (1 from 1)

Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Mark Percival, Will Hopoate, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Agnatius Paasi, James Roby, Matty Lees, Sione Mata’utia, Curtis Sironen, Morgan Knowles.

Interchanges: Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, James Bell, George Delaney.

18th Man: Jon Bennison.

Tries: Jonny Lomax (61)

Conversions: Mark Percival (1 from 1)

HT: 8-0

FT: 14-6

Attendance: 24,275