Saints lost 16-12 to Wigan Warriors in the Derby at the Brick Community Stadium on Friday evening...
Less than a minute in, Saints were reduced to twelve men for ten minutes. Matty Lees was sin binned for a high shot.
The Warriors dominated the opening half of the first 40 minutes. Harry Robertson did well to hold up Jake Wardle to prevent the hosts from taking the lead.
Saints took the lead against the run of play 20 minutes in. Lees found an offload to Harry Robertson who broke an found Jack Welsby in support and he ran away to score under the sticks. Mark Percival added the extras, 0-6 the visitors led.
Wigan replied quickly. Zach Eckersley broke through a gap down the Wigan left edge and found Jake Wardle in support on his inside to score under the sticks. Harry Smith converted, 6-6 it was tied.
The deadlock is broken 🔓@jackwelsby_ opens the scoring for @Saints1890 🫡#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/pu31TPSYN9
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 12, 2024
Both sides tried to apply more pressure but defences held firm for the rest of the half, Smith trying a one-pointer for the hosts with the last kick of the first 40 minutes but both sides went in level at 6-6 at the break.
⏸ All square at the break.
An absorbing opening forty in The Derby here at Wigan.
Live Match Centre
➡ https://t.co/bFCZV1ZwHA#COYS pic.twitter.com/SmSnUqthD9— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 12, 2024
Wigan thought they had scored the first points of the second half three minutes in. Liam Marshall kicked a pass ahead after failing to collect it but pushed Jonny Lomax off the ball before re-claiming it to score. Penalty to Saints the decision.
Saints had a good chance themselves nine minutes into the second half. The Red V had a penalty and moved into the Wigan half, but were unable to break through a stubborn Warriors defence as Percival was held up on the last tackle.
Saints re-took the lead 18 minutes into the second half. Curtis Sironen headed for the line and looked to have been wrapped up but was able to find an offload to Lomax who found Waqa Blake on the wing, he stepped inside and finished in the corner. Percival added the extras, 6-12 Saints led.
That offload from Curtis Sironen 😮💨
Waqa Blake goes over in the corner for @Saints1890 😇#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/wJH4QzqSDy
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 12, 2024
Saints made a mess of the restart as Ben Davies was forced into touch. The hosts then got a repeat set on the Saints line and moved it from left to right, with Adam Keighran scoring in the corner. Smith converted, 12-12 we were tied.
Wigan took the lead for the first time on the night with twelve minutes to go. The Warriors moved it left and Zack Eckersley threw a dummy before gliding through a gap to score in the corner. Smith was unable to convert, 16-12.
Saints tried to get back into it but it wasn’t to be, as despite a valiant effort Saints were beaten 16-12 in the Derby at the Brick Community Stadium.
⏹ The Saints are narrowly beaten away at Wigan.
Hold your head high Saints, plenty to be proud of with that performance.#COYS pic.twitter.com/kgYshkUky9
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 12, 2024
Match Summary
Wigan Warriors Team: Zach Eckersley, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Jack Farrimond, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Tyler Dupree, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.
Interchanges: Liam Byrne, Patrick Mago, Harvie Hill, Sam Walters.
18th Man: Jacob Douglas.
Tries: Jake Wardle (23), Adam Keighran (63), Zack Eckersley (69)
Conversions: Harry Smith (2 from 3)
Saints Team: Harry Robertson, Tee Ritson, Mark Percival, Ben Davies, Waqa Blake, Jonny Lomax, Jack Welsby, Matty Lees, Daryl Clark, George Delaney, Curtis Sironen, James Bell, Agnatius Paasi.
Interchanges: Sam Royle, Jake Burns, Noah Stephens, Jonny Vaughan.
18th Man: Jon Bennison.
Tries: Jack Welsby (20), Waqa Blake (58)
Conversions: Mark Percival (2 from 2)
Sin Bin: Matty Lees (1)
HT: 6-6
FT: 16-12
Attendance: 20,152
