Wigan avenged their Good Friday defeat to Saints, as they beat the Red V in the Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Final…

First Half

Saints lost Captain Matty Lees to injury with the first contact of the contest. Five minutes in, Saints had the first opening. After a dominant start, Saints began a set inside the Wigan half. A few tackles in, Jack Welsby offloaded to Daryl Clark and Saints moved it from right to left. Lewis Murphy was unable to collect a pass though as the Red V looked to create an overlap.

Despite the early Saints dominance, it was Wigan who took the lead. Brad O’Neill and Jai Field combined down the middle breaking through the Saints defence and the Wigan #9 found Jack Farrimond with an offload down the right edge and he scored from close range. Adam Keighran added the conversion, 0-6 we trailed.

Four minutes later, Wigan had a prime chance to increase their lead. Harry Smith’s kick went straight into Tristan Sailor’s arms but the referee ruled a Wigan man was taking out during it. The Warriors opted for two points from in front of the sticks which Keighran converted, 0-8.

The Red V then had a penalty ten metres from the Wigan line but opted to run it. Alex Walmsley went close before Jack Welsby who met with a firm shot on the last tackle to force a turnover.

Another chance followed for the Saints. The Red V did well to keep the ball alive on the last down the left edge. Murphy tried offloading back inside but a Wigan player got to the loose ball first.

Then we had our first video referee decision. Saints opted to go down the short-side via Daryl Clark who tried to spin his way over under pressure from close range. The on-field verdict was no try and after a lengthy check, it was agreed with.

The second video referee trip came just after the half-hour mark. A penalty pushed Wigan into Saints territory. Farrimond spotted space early in the tackle count and kicked it, Saints couldn’t deal with it and Zach Eckersley grounded the loose ball to score. Keighran missed the conversion attempt, 0-12.

Five minutes later, we had another trip upstairs. Wigan shifted the ball through the hands down their right edge with it eventually finding Eckersley who finished acrobatically in the corner. The on-field verdict of try soon agreed with. Smith took over the kicking duties but missed, 0-16.

On the half-time hooter we had another video referee decision. Joe Shorrocks’ pass was intercepted near halfway by Jake Wardle who ran the other way to score under the sticks. After a check, the on-field verdict of try was agreed with. Smith added a simple conversion with the final kick of the first half, 0-22 Saints trailed at the break.

Second Half

Saints had the first chance to apply pressure of the second half. Field spilled a high kick inside his own twenty, giving Saints a set in good field position. Deon Cross was held up agonisingly short of the line, before Jackson Hastings’ kick on the last tackled was gobbled up by Farrimond.

We continued to apply pressure. A penalty pushed the Red V into the Wigan half but they again held firm before Hastings put in a low kick on the last which forced Field to concede a dropout.

More pressure came but Saints still couldn’t find a way through. First, Harry Robertson forced Noah Hodkinson to concede a dropout before Welsby’s low kick on the last tackle was collected by Farrimond.

Just after the hour-mark, Saints were reduced to twelve men for ten minutes. The Red V challenged a decision and it went the way of our opponents. Welsby saw yellow following the incident.

Wigan looked to make the most of their extra man with a set on Saints’ line. They tried moving the ball both ways before Liam Farrell was tackled on the last, forcing a turnover.

The Cherry & Whites had a fifth try with five minutes to go. A penalty pushed Wigan into the Saints half, a few tackles in Farrimond collected the ball, stepped inside onto his left foot and worked his way over underneath the sticks. Smith converted, 0-28.

They thought they had another try with 90 seconds remaining but Brad O’Neill was held up over the line.

A final try did come in the last minute though. Smith’s high kick wasn’t dealt with by Saints and Keighran collected it on the bounce to score. They opted not to kick the goal.

That was the final play of the game. Saints knocked out of the Challenge Cup after a 0-32 defeat to Wigan Warriors at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Match Summary

Saints Team: Tristan Sailor, Lewis Murphy, Deon Cross, Harry Robertson, Owen Dagnall, Jack Welsby, Jackson Hastings, David Klemmer, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Matt Whitley, Shane Wright, Joe Shorrocks.

Interchanges: Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, George Delaney, Noah Stephens.

18th Man: Jake Davies.

Tries: 

Conversions: 

Sin Bin: Jack Welsby (65)

Wigan Warriors Team: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Noah Hodkinson, Jack Farrimond, Harry Smith, Sam Walters, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Oliver Partington.

Interchanges: Kaide Ellis, Patrick Mago, Sam Eseh Jr, Taylor Kerr.

18th Man: Kian McDermott.

Tries: Jack Farrimond (9, 76), Zach Eckersley (31, 36), Jake Wardle (40), Adam Keighran (80)

Conversions: Adam Keighran (1 from 2), Harry Smith (2 from 3)

Penalties: Adam Keighran (1 from 1)

HT: 0-22

FT: 0-32

Attendance: 13,421

Saints Line up

6 Tristan Sailor
20 Lewis Murphy
5 Deon Cross
3 Harry Robertson
24 Owen Dagnall
1 Jack Welsby
31 Jackson Hastings
13 David Klemmer
9 Daryl Clark
10 Matty Lees
16 Matt Whitley
12 Shane Wright
22 Joe Shorrocks
7 Jonny Lomax
8 Alex Walmsley
15 George Delaney
21 Noah Stephens

Wigan Warriors Line up

1 Jai Field
2 Zach Eckersley
3 Adam Keighran
4 Jake Wardle
28 Noah Hodkinson
19 Jack Farrimond
7 Harry Smith
14 Sam Walters
9 Brad O'Neill
10 Luke Thompson
11 Junior Nsemba
12 Liam Farrell
17 Oliver Partington
13 Kaide Ellis
15 Patrick Mago
20 Sam Eseh Jr
25 Taylor Kerr

Last updated 9 May 26 16:31:45

FT

⏹️ Full time in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final.

80'
Try
Adam Keighran for Wigan Warriors

Wigan get a six-again close to our line.

After a couple of tackles, Smith chips a kick into space and Keighran grounds it.

😇 0-32 🍒⚪️

77'

Saints go for a short kick-off, it doesn’t go 10.

Wigan work close to our try line, Robertson manages to get an interception, but as he’s tackled by a couple of Wigan men he loses the ball.

More pressure to deal with.

75'
Goal
Harry Smith for Wigan Warriors

Smith kicks from in front.

😇 0-28 🍒⚪️

74'
Try
Jack Farrimond for Wigan Warriors

76′ Wigan get another try after a penalty in our half.

An offload and then Farrimond stepped his way to score under the sticks.

73'

Saints back up to thirteen men. Clark comes on.

Wigan are given a penalty, so attacking in dangerous territory.

73'

Wigan hold us in our own half.

71'

Impressive run by Dagnall, he dealt with a tricky Smith kick into the in-goal and managed to just get out.

70'

Noah goes low for a tackle and hits his head against a Wigan man’s hip, so comes off for a HIA.

70'

Walmsley puts a big shot on Nsemba, Wigan not happy with it, so everyone is in.

A penalty is given to the Warriors.

😇 0-22 🍒⚪️

69'

Sailor kicks one down field, but it’s caught on the full by Wigan.

68'

Offloads to Field on the last, the Wigan fullback is then stopped by our 10m line.

67'

Walmsley takes a late pass and is then tackled by Nsemba and loses the ball.

66'

Good defence following that scrum, we turn Wigan away on each edge.

64'

Dagnall goes for an intercept, but knocks on, so Wigan scrum 10m out.

63'
Yellow Card
Jack Welsby for Saints

Welsby is sent to the bin.

63'

Sailor goes for a pass to our left, but the ball looks to move after coming into contact with a Wigan player.

Wigan get the ball and the ref looks to play on. After a pen, we use our Challenge and it is unsuccessful.

63'

🔄 Delaney off, Stephens on.

😇 0-22 🍒⚪️

61'

Farrimond punts one into the right corner.

61'

Wigan manage to hold us out after a number of sets by their line.

60'

We force another GLDO, Robertson with a small kick to the right corner and we tackle a Wigan man.

58'

Saints look to crash in with Whitley on the last, looked like a tackle off the ball but we get a new set.

57'

Saints go close with Klemmer and Walmsley. On the last a small dabbed kick through is taken by Field and we tackle him for a GLDO.

56'

Hodkinson goes around Walters, so a penalty for Saints.

55'

Klemmer is back on, believe for Shorrocks.

54'

Chaotic set from the Warriors, we keep scrambling though.

53'

Good attack by Saints pushes Wigan back onto their own line, Whitley goes very close but we have yet to have those first points of the game.

52'

A Wigan kick was too strong and we get a tap 20m restart.

52'

Wigan held in their own 40m.

51'

Cross competes with Field for a high kick, looked like Field knocked it on but Wigan start by their own line.

50'

O’Neill trying to stop a Sailor kick knocks it on, so a fresh set for us but in our own half.

49'

🔄 Stephens off, Walmsley on.

😇 0-22 🍒⚪️

48'

Eckersley leaves a kick to bounce, we tackle him after he collects it by their try line.

47'

Wigan get up to our 20m line, but Dagnall catches a bouncing ball to turn it quickly into attack.

46'

Tough attack for St.Helens, Wigan keep us in our half this time.

45'

A remarkable Hastings run on the fourth takes us to their 10m line. Sailor’s kick on the last is swept up well by Field though.

44'

Wigan burn through a set quickly, we hold them behind their red line.

44'

Another high one by Saints, but Wigan catch it fine this time.

43'

The Red V hold the Warriors in their own half. Sailor deals with a Smith kick well.

42'

Wigan hold us out, we kick hitting our left edge trying to unlock it but a Hastings small grubber was jumped on by Farrimond.

41'

Good opening set, we push Wigan onto their own 10m line and Hastings’ kick is knocked on by Field.

Back underway.

Let’ have better, Saints.

😇 0-22 🍒⚪️

HT

⏸️ Half time in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final.

40'
Goal
Harry Smith for Wigan Warriors

Smith kicks this one from the middle

40'
Try
Jake Wardle for Wigan Warriors

Shorrocks on the run to the right goes for a late pass, but Wardle intercepts it and goes 30m to score.

A VR check confirms it.

38'

Saints get their first six-again of the game after Dagnall was brought down after a break.

Sailor on the third tries a kick to the corner for Wright to chase, but Hodkinson manages to get to it.

36'

Smith now on conversions, he misses.

35'
Try
Zach Eckersley for Wigan Warriors

Eckersley gets a second try.

Wigan make the most of a tap 20m set, and on the last pass out to the right for a finish in the corner.

34'

Hastings cops a late one, but nothing given. On the last he kicks high again, but the ball is caught in-goal.

33'

Good defence by the Saints, Wigan stopped in their own half.

Dagnall deals with a swirling bomb very well.

32'

Conversion is missed.

30'
Try
Zach Eckersley for Wigan Warriors

From the offside pen, the Warriors move closer to our line, and Farrimond kicked to their left corner, Murphy tried to clear it out but it doesn’t go and Eckersley jumped on the loose ball to score.

VR confirms it.

29'

Saints now judged offside as Wigan try get out of their territory.

29'

Wigan again hold us just as we get into their half.

28'

Smith drills a kick out by our 10m line.

27'

Sailor this time on the last kicks just inside the Wigan half, Field catches it by his 10m line.

26'

Smith goes high but Wigan knock it forward and we look to turn the pressure back around.

25'

Agony, as Murphy knocks on from the kick.

24'

We get two plays after the no try call. Hastings chips a great one and we tackle Keighran strongly for a GLDO.

23'

No try confirmed by the video ref…

23'

Video ref called for, no try given by the ref on the field.

Daryl Clark scoots out of dummy half and looks to have got it down…

😇 0-8 🍒⚪️

22'

🔄 Stephens on, Klemmer off.

😇 0-8 🍒⚪️

21'

Saints go close with Murphy again in the corner, an offload to Hastings by Cross close on that left edge, but Wigan just about close it down.

20'

Hastings kicks across the field, the ball bounced into the in-goal and it looked like Robertson made the tackle, but Wigan get out of dodge.

😇 0-8 🍒⚪️

18'

Hastings kicks to the other side this time, Robertson and Dagnall stop Hodkinson following the catch.

18'

🔄 Delaney on, Walmsley off.

😇 0-8 🍒⚪️

17'

Welsby makes a half break through, fires a pass to Dagnall who wisely stays in touch.

Hastings kicks across field towards Murphy, but Warriors knock it back and jump on it.

16'

The Red V keep the Warriors in their own half. Smith kicks high and Sailor catches it well.

15'

Welsby on the last tries running it but is up-ended to finish our attack in front of the Wigan line.

14'

Another Wigan penalty, offside early in the set.

13'

Walters knocks the ball on by his own 30m line.

12'
Goal
Adam Keighran for Wigan Warriors

Walters is judged to have been tackled off the ball by Walmsley, so Wigan get a penalty 15m out and bang in front of the sticks.

Keighran adds the two points.

😇 0-8 🍒⚪️

10'

Wigan get an early penalty, Shorrocks judged too slow in the ruck.

9'
Goal
Adam Keighran for Wigan Warriors

Keighran adds the conversion.

7'
Try
Jack Farrimond for Wigan Warriors

Wigan get the first points, O’Neill broke through and worked it back and forth with Field and then to Farrimond for the try.

7'

Wigan hold Saints just in our own half. Hastings’ kick is allowed to bounce by Field, and they will have a tap 20m restart.

6'

Wigan’s best attack in the early period of the game, Dagnall tracks back to bring down Hodkinson.

Sailor then rises highest to claim a high ball, 20m off our line.

5'

A chance goes missed by the Saints, an offload and play to the left gets the ball to Murphy but he knocks the ball on.

4'

Brilliant defence by the Saints, Wigan don’t get out of their own 20m.

4'

Almost a mirror image of the last attack, Hastings again kicking high and we force Wigan back to start the set on their own line.

3'

Wigan try a chip on their right wing, Dagnall gets the bounce of the ball.

2'

Welsby crabs across the field, looking for gaps. On the last Wigan are on their own try line, Hastings kicks high but Wigan catch inches off the whitewash.

2'

Walmsley with a robust carry off the restart.

1'

Good first defensive set by the Saints, but it looks to have come at a cost at Matty Lees is down and hurt after the first collision.

😇 0-0 🍒⚪️

Kick Off

▶️ KICK-OFF!

The Challenge Cup Semi-Final is underway between the Saints and the Warriors!

Come on you Saints!

😇 0-0 🍒⚪️

😇 Here is how your Saints will lineup against Wigan in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final!