A strong second half saw Wigan Warriors beat Saints 38-16 in the Derby at the Brick Community Stadium.
First Half
Saints took the lead five minutes in. A penalty put Saints in Wigan territory. Jack Welsby collected the ball down the right edge, broke through a tackle before rounding field to score. Jackson Hastings added the conversion, 0-6 we led.
“Welsby leaves bodies in his wake” 👀
St Helens make the early breakthrough and it’s Jack Welsby with a superb try 💪 pic.twitter.com/fiQIDQTyNQ
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) July 24, 2026
Wigan levelled ten minutes in. They created an overlap down their right edge, Adam Keighran broke and found Bevan French in support on his inside who scored. Keighran levelled the scores with the conversion, 6-6.
Sixteen minutes in, Saints reclaimed the lead. An error have the visitors possession inside their ten. From the scrum we went right and Harry Robertson found Jacob Douglas on the overlap who scored in the corner against his old club. Hastings added the kick, 6-12.
Again it didn’t take long for Wigan to level. They forced a Saints error deep inside our own half. A few tackles in, French found Zach Eckersley with a cut-out pass and he scored in the corner. Keighran added another conversion, 12-12.
Wigan then had the lead for the first time. French spotted space down the Saints left and kicked high, Eckersley caught it unopposed to score his second in the corner. Keighran added the kick, 18-12.
The hosts were then awarded a penalty as Matty Evans headed off for a HIA. They opted for two points but Keighran sliced the kick wide, 18-12 it remained.
The visitors looked to have levelled in the final minute of the half. Hastings kicked high to the right edge, Robertson plucked the ball out the air and looked to have grounded under pressure. The try was given on-field. The video referee then over-ruled it and chalked the try off. 18-12 Wigan led at the break.
⏸️ A tight tussle in the opening 40 minutes on Derby Day.#COYS | @LPL_Airport pic.twitter.com/a5qsQeODa0
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 24, 2026
Second Half
Wigan thought they had another try two minutes into the second period. They went right from a scrum and French bounced his way over. The referee ruled double movement on the field and it was agreed with after a video referee check.
Two minutes later, they did have a fourth try. Douglas did brilliantly initially to deny Jai Field a certain try. Following a repeat set, French put Oliver Partington through a gap to score. Keighran converted, 24-12.
Three minutes later, we had another trip to the video referee. Hastings pulled a Wigan man back as he chased a kick so we had a check for a penalty try. That wasn’t given, but Hastings saw yellow for a professional foul. Wigan fumbled the ball in that set but were awarded a penalty for offside. They opted for two points which Keighran kicked, 26-12.
Just before the hour mark, Wigan had a sixth try. Harry Smith kicked high to the right edge and Partington caught it to score. Keighran added the conversion, 32-12.
Another try quickly followed. French kicked into space down Wigan’s right edge, Keighran beat Lewis Murphy to the ball to score. He converted his own try, 38-12.
Saints grabbed a consolation late on. Welsby floated left and threw a cut-out pass to Murphy who finished acrobatically in the corner. Hastings was unable to convert, 38-16.
“Simply SPECTACULAR” 🔥
Lewis Murphy scores for St Helens in sublime fashion 💫 pic.twitter.com/eTFl0nTPAV
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) July 24, 2026
Those were the final points of the contest. 38-16 Wigan winning on Derby Day.
⏹️ Defeat on Derby Day.#COYS | @LPL_Airport pic.twitter.com/xQlmG6iwWT
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 24, 2026
Match Summary
Wigan Warriors Team: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Oliver Partington, Kaide Ellis, Taylor Kerr.
Interchanges: Sam Walters, Patrick Mago, Noah Hodkinson, Shea O’Connor.
18th Man: George O’Loughlin.
Tries: Bevan French (10), Zach Eckersley (21, 26), Oliver Partington (44, 59), Adam Keighran (63)
Conversions: Adam Keighran (6 from 6)
Penalties: Adam Keighran (1 from 2)
Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Lewis Murphy, Tristan Sailor, Jake Davies, Jacob Douglas, Harry Robertson, Jackson Hastings, Jacob Host, Jake Burns, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Jed Cartwright, Shane Wright, Joe Shorrocks.
Interchanges: George Delaney, Alfie Sinclair, Tom Humphreys, Matty Evans.
18th Man: Jack Campbell.
Tries: Jack Welsby (5), Jacob Douglas (16), Lewis Murphy (72)
Conversions: Jackson Hastings (2 from 3)
Sin Bin: Jackson Hastings (47)
HT: 18-12
FT: 38-16
