Wigan Warriors 14-34 St Helens

Correspondent

St Helens completely outclassed Wigan Warriors in the traditional Good Friday derby, touching down for six tries against the Warriors to register a 34-18 win at JJB Stadium.

A capacity crowd was on hand to witness a superb display of rugby league from the engage Super League champions, but the champagne rugby from Saints will not do anything to lift the spirits of disappointed Wigan fans.

It was the Warriors who had opened the scoring, a wayward St Helens offload finding the arms of Thomas Leuluai whose short pass allowed Pat Richards to race downfield and touch down, adding the conversion himself.

However, Saints restored parity soon after, Francis Meli finding the space down the right flank to go over at the corner, Paul Sculthorpe landing the conversion from out wide.

The visitors went ahead for the first time after 22 minutes when Willie Talau went over at the corner, and a superb solo try from James Roby, converted by Sculthorpe, put the champions 16-6 ahead.

Wigan were awarded a penalty in front of the St Helens posts at the back end of the first half, but surprised the crowd with their decision to take the two points rather than run the ball, Richards kicking the goal.

It took just three minutes for Saints to increase the lead, Sculthorpe’s decision to run a penalty paying off when Leon Pryce sent Maurie Fa’asavalu over the line, and Sculthorpe kicking the goal.

The hosts reduced the deficit to 22-14 when Trent Barrett’s pass allowed Leuluai to get over the line, Richards converting, but any hopes of getting back into the game were short lived.

Matt Gidley touched down for St Helens to put the result beyond doubt, and, although Sean Long missed the conversion, he added a penalty soon after, followed by a try from Mike Bennett on full time to seal the win.