Wigan Warriors beat St Helens in the Challenge Cup and twice in Super League this season as they earned their third successive derby win against their rivals. The result came as Saints began life after Paul Rowley with a humbling Super League defeat, following his departure on Thursday less than a year into the role with the team out of form.
Under the interim stewardship of Eamon O'Carroll, St Helens were beaten by Wigan for the second time in succession in the league this term and the second time this month. Wigan were too strong throughout, scoring seven tries and adding seven goals through Adam Keighran, while Saints crossed for three tries and kicked two goals via Jackson Hastings.
How did the scoring unfold?
Jack Welsby got Saints off the mark, but Bevan French responded soon after and Jacob Douglas restored the visitors' lead. Zach Eckersley and Oliver Partington both scored twice either side of the break, Adam Keighran slid in for Wigan's sixth try, and Lewis Murphy ran in an acrobatic finish to restore some pride for the visitors.
The official scoring summary was: Tries for Wigan from French, Eckersley 2, Partington 2 and Keighran, with Keighran kicking 7 goals. For St Helens, the tries came from Welsby, Douglas and Murphy, with Hastings kicking 2 goals.
What did the result mean in the table?
Victory for Wigan moved them level with Super League leaders Leeds Rhinos on 30 points, but Wakefield's big win against Castleford meant the Warriors dropped a place to third in the table. Meanwhile, St Helens have now lost seven of their past 11 games in all competitions.
Under Rowley's tenure, Saints had won the first derby of the season thanks to a memorable comeback win at Easter, but a hammering in the Challenge Cup semi-final soon after and a narrow defeat at the Magic Weekend earlier this month meant Wigan came into this latest meeting with momentum over their rivals.
How did Wigan take control early on?
Saints went ahead inside the opening five minutes as Welsby weaved his way through, prospering after Harry Smith failed to stop his run when he lost his footing in the build-up. That lead did not last long, and Wigan hit back via a flowing set of passes as they eventually sent French through to score with ease.
If Wigan's move was good, Douglas's score was even better and came via some quick movement from a scrum, but no sooner had they scored than Wigan worked the ball wide to Eckersley, who touched down at the corner to make things square once more. The hosts were not done there and edged ahead when French put in a sumptuous kick to the corner for Eckersley to collect and ground in sensational fashion for his 30th try of the season.
Harry Robertson controversially had a try chalked off despite his score being given by referee Liam Moore on field but, on review, video referee Jack Smith ruled it out - with television replays not conclusively showing the ball had not been grounded.
What changed after the break?
After the break, Wigan kept up a sustained spell of pressure and were rewarded when Partington crashed over the line. Things went from bad to worse for Saints as Jackson Hastings was sin-binned against his former club for a pull back on French, denying him a potential try.
Partington added a second in the interim and Keighran beat Murphy to the punch as he successfully - and easily - chased a kick to go in for another Wigan try. Murphy atoned with nine minutes left as he dived in at the corner.
Who played for each side?
Wigan lined up with Field; Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Havard, O'Neill, Thompson, Partington, Ellis, Kerr. Interchanges: Walters, Mago, Hodkinson, O'Connor.
St Helens were: Welsby; Murphy, Sailor, Davies, Douglas; Robertson, Hastings; Host, Burns, Suluka-Fifita, Cartwright, Wright, Shorrocks. Interchanges: Delaney, Sinclair, Humphreys, Evans.
Wakefield thrash Castleford despite early red card
St Helens boss Rowley leaves after less than a year
Wigan Warriors have beaten St Helens in the Challenge Cup and twice in Super League this season.
