Saints win the derby with impressive performance

😤 The Saints line-up like this for 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗕𝗬 against @WiganWarriorsRL

💯 @jackwelsby_ makes his 100th appearance in the Red V tonight, whilst @MorgsKnowles also returns to the starting 13!

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

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) June 9, 2023

Saints took an early fourth minute lead. A Wigan knock on in their own half gave Saints ball in good field position. Towards the end of the set Jack Welsby found Joe Batchelor close to the line and he was able to spin over and plant the ball down. Tommy Makinson converted, 6-0.

.@batjoelor finds a way 💪#SLStHWig pic.twitter.com/Va128blno6

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 9, 2023

A couple of minutes later the Red V had a chance for more points. A great offload from Alex Walmsley found skipper James Roby who spotted a dummy and went for a gap but was caught high in the process. Makinson went for two but missed the kick.

Wigan grabbed their first score with their first attack of the game. Harry Smith chipped a kick over the top early and Jai Field beat Welsby to the loose ball to score next to the sticks. Smith converted, 6-6 the scores were tied.

Saints again had the chance to kick two 19 minutes in. Wigan got caught offside and the hosts had a penalty in front of the sticks. Makinson’s kick bounced out off the post and into Matty Lees’ hands though, so the scores remained tied.

Wigan fumbled the ball later on in that set, giving Saints a scrum ten metres out. From that scrum, Saints went right and Makinson was able to stroll over in the corner after collecting Lomax’s pass. Tommy was able to convert his own try, 12-6 to the Red V.

Wigan went close again as Saints fumbled the return from the kick off. Bevan French found Abbas Miski with a kick in acres of space, he was then met with a massive shot from Welsby which put the Wigan winger into touch.

The visitors did close the gap minutes later though. French put another kick in which was allowed to bounce and Welsby slipped as he went to grab it which allowed French to score. Smith missed the conversion, 12-10 Saints led.

The video referee was called into action in the final minute of the half. Welsby bounced off a tackle and then put a kick in which he collected himself to ground to the right of the sticks. Referee, Chris Kendall’s on-field call of try was agreed with. Makinson added the two from in front of the sticks, 18-10 Saints led.

That was the final action of an action packed first 40 minutes, as Saints led 18-10 at the break at a sunny Totally Wicked Stadium.

⏸ Saints up by eight in 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗕𝗬 at half time.#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) June 9, 2023

Wigan had half a chance three minutes into the second half. French threw a cut-out pass to their right wing to Miski, he cut back inside but some strong defence from Saints forced the winger into touch.

It was the hosts who grabbed the first points of the half though. A good inital run by Agnatius Passi with an offload to James Bell lay the platform. The following play, Roby ran from rummy half, he found Lewis Dodd who found a charging Paasi who crashed over from close range. Makinson converted, 24-10.

Another Red V score soon followed. A big break downfield by Roby saw him stopped by Field. The following play Dodd ran forward and found the supporting Welsby who was able to go through a gap to ground the ball for his second try. Makinson converted, 30-10.

A great run from Roby but it's Welsby with his second of the night as @Saints1890 pull further ahead.#SkyRL pic.twitter.com/2hH1GJeKMa

— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) June 9, 2023

A sixth Saints score came just after the hour mark. A flowing move from left to right saw Welsby throw a great cut-out pass to Makinson on the wing and he strolled over to score his second in the corner. He was unable to convert his own try, 34-10 Saints led.

👌 ball from @jackwelsby_ ⏩ @TommyMak21 💪#SLStHWig pic.twitter.com/QNYTGCrfQF

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 9, 2023

Wigan did grab a try back with 90 seconds left on the clock though, French threw a cut-out pass to Miski on the wing and he strolled over to grab a consolation try. Smith converted, 34-16 the Warriors trailed.

It meant little to the hosts though, as Saints continued our winning run with a 34-16 victory in the derby on Friday night.

𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗕𝗬 𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 🤩#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) June 9, 2023

Match Summary

Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Mark Percival, Tee Ritson, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles.

Interchanges: Sione Mata’utia, Joey Lussick, Agnatius Paasi, James Bell.

18th Man: Jon Bennison.

Tries: Joe Batchelor (4), Tommy Makinson (23, 64), Jack Welsby (39, 52), Agnatius Paasi (49)

Conversions: Tommy Makinson (5 from 6)

Penalties: Tommy Makinson (0 from 2)

Wigan Warriors Team: Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Iain Thornley, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Kaide Ellis, Brad O’Neill, Liam Byrne, Joe Shorrocks, Liam Farrell, Morgan Smithies.

Interchanges: Cade Cust, Brad Singleton, Patrick Mago, Harvie Hill.

18th Man: Toby King.

Tries: Jai Field (12), Bevan French (29), Abbas Miski (78)

Conversions: Harry Smith (2 from 3)

HT: 18-10

FT: 34-16

Attendance: 17,088