Saints were beaten 14-6 in the derby by rivals Wigan Warriors on Good Friday at the DW Stadium.

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.

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.

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.

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

Saints Line up

1 Jack Welsby
2 Tommy Makinson
23 Konrad Hurrell
4 Mark Percival
3 Will Hopoate
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Lewis Dodd
17 Agnatius Paasi
James Roby
10 Matty Lees
11 Sione Mata’utia
16 Curtis Sironen
13 Morgan Knowles
14 Joey Lussick
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
15 James Bell
20 George Delaney

Wigan Warriors Line up

2Bevan French
23Abbas Miski
3Toby King
4Jake Wardle
5Liam Marhsall
19Joe Shorrocks
7Harry Smith
10Liam Byrne
9Sam Powell
14Mike Cooper
17Kai Pearce-Paul
12Liam Farrell
13Morgan Smithies
8Brad Singleton
15Kaide Ellis
16Ethan Havard
22Brad O'Neill

Last updated 7 Apr 23 16:59:46

FT
78'

Knowles makes a huge break up field, he’s looking for the supporting Dodd but the pass to him is no good.

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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77'

Makinson and Welsby link up to get us close, but we’re short of the line. The ball comes out to Dodd who looks to be taken high and it stops our attack.

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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75'

Wigan knock on as they push our line, Saints keep Wigan at bay this time.

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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74'

Saints defending their own line still after an offside call. Cooper for Wigan stays down due to an injury though and comes off.

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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73'

Sione Mata’utia is taken off the field via a stretcher.

Speedy recovery, Cee. ♥

He went in for a tackle and following it stayed down, got checked over and all the proper care.

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72'

Wigan get a penalty 10m out, Saints must defend their own line. Mata’utia goes for a tackle and following it stays down and is getting checked over.

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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69'

Knowles looks to be in at the corner after a Dodd high ball is patted back, but after a video ref check it’s not given.

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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68'

🔄 Delaney off, Lees back on.

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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65'

Lomax on the last goes for a kick behind the Warriors line, King collects though.

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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63'

Great defence after a kick from Welsby! He forces French to knock on!

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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62'

🔄 Interchange for Saints, Lussick on, Roby off.

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

Two more points added by Mark Percival!

🍒⚪ 14-6 😇😇

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61'
Try
Jonny Lomax for Saints

Lewis Dodd with a lovely kick for a chasing Jonny Lomax to ground it! Just what we needed!

🍒⚪ 14-4 😇😇

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59'

Saints force a GLDO from a shortside play, we kick and French takes it out.

🍒⚪ 14-0 😇😇

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58'

Singleton who has just come on the field has a high shot on Hurrell. Referee has a word with him and Farrell.

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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57'

🔄 Bell and LMS off, Paasi and Knowles back on.

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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53'
Goal
Harry Smith for Wigan Warriors

Warriors add the kick.

🍒⚪ 14-0 😇😇

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52'
Try
Toby King for Wigan Warriors

Saints get penalised for a late hit, the Warriors go in with Toby King finding a gap on the right edge before bringing it closer to the sticks.

🍒⚪ 12-0 😇😇

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49'

🔄 Interchange for Saints, Lees off, George Delaney on. Let’s go George!

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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46'

An arm wrestle at the start of this second half.

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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42'

Great first defensive drive to the half, forcing Miski back to his own line.

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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40'

Back underway – COME ON YOU SAINTS!

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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HT
39'

Saints are certainly moving in the right areas attack wise but Welsby is dragged into touch as he looks to open an opportunity on the left edge.

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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37'

Saints again cut through but can’t make it pay! Lomax is looking to pass on the inside but a Wigan man is in the way and knocks it down.

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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35'

The ball goes to the wing with Hurrell and break the tackle he offloads to Makinson. Tommy is going for the corner but French with a tackle just puts him in touch.

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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32'

🔄 Interchange for Saints, McCarthy-Scarsbrook on, Knowles off.

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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31'
Goal
Harry Smith for Wigan Warriors

Wigan have Saints on their own line on the back of a penalty. St Helens get penalised again and the hosts call for the tee. Smith adds two.

🍒⚪ 8-0 😇😇

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26'

Wigan knocked on so we get another set, couple more close calls for the hosts but they hold Saints out for now.

🍒⚪ 6-0 😇😇

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25'

Saints come close! A slap on pass by Hurrell to Makinson, and Tommy before going into the corner fires it back to Sironen who’s just short of the line.

🍒⚪ 6-0 😇😇

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23'

With three Saints around him, Marshall passes over them but to Matty Lees. Lees passes to Roby who puts a solid carry in to the middel of the field.

🍒⚪ 6-0 😇😇

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22'

🔄 Interchange for Saints, Bell on, Paasi off.

🍒⚪ 6-0 😇😇

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20'

Great leg drive from Konrad Hurrell, with three Wigan men on him he keep driving and gains another 15m.

🍒⚪ 6-0 😇😇

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18'

We push towards the Warriors line again, Hurrell gets an offload away to Welsby who kicks a bouncing ball towards the sticks for chasing Saints but French takes it.

🍒⚪ 6-0 😇😇

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16'

Saints with another solid set moving from one end of the field to the other but a Lomax kick this time goes out on the full.

🍒⚪ 6-0 😇😇

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14'

Good set from Saints after starting it inside their own 10m, we go all the way to Wigan’s 10 off a short chip to the left corner.

🍒⚪ 6-0 😇😇

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11'
Goal
Harry Smith for Wigan Warriors

Smith adds the kick.

🍒⚪ 6-0 😇😇

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10'
Try
Harry Smith for Wigan Warriors

Wigan open the scoring on the back of a penalty. Wardle feigns a pass and then cuts through a gap, he passes inside to Harry Smith.

🍒⚪ 4-0 😇😇

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8'

Saints push Wigan onto their own line but a rogue pass on the last takes the pressure off. Paasi to his credit tries a grubber and a chase but Wigan collect.

🍒⚪ 0-0 😇😇

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6'

Hurrell offloads and we move close to halfway, Lomax passes inside to Welsby who gets taken high. First decent attacking chance for Saints now.

🍒⚪ 0-0 😇😇

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5'

Dodd lifts a high ball which French and Welsby both go for, Jack almost gets it but the ball bundles forward.

🍒⚪ 0-0 😇😇

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3'

Wigan have the first major attack of the game, great defence on our right edge by Jonny Lomax stops them on the last.

🍒⚪ 0-0 😇😇

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Kick Off

KICK-OFF! Game underway at the DW Stadium for 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗕𝗬 – it’s Wigan against Saints!

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The atmosphere just jumped up a notch when the Saints took to the field for the warm up!

LOUD!

#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

The atmosphere just jumped up a notch when the Saints took to the field for the warm up!

LOUD!

#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

The atmosphere just jumped up a notch when the Saints took to the field for the warm up!

LOUD!

#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

The atmosphere just jumped up a notch when the Saints took to the field for the warm up!

LOUD!

#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

😤 Here’s how your Saints line-up for 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗕𝗬 against Wigan Warriors!

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

GAMEDAY!

It’s one of the biggest days of the year! The Good Friday Derby between Saints and Wigan, and we’re taking over 5,000 of our supporters over to the DW Stadium!