Saints surge past Wigan

Saints' Sean Long battles past Wigan's Harvey Howard

St Helens 22-8 Wigan

Newly crowned World Club Challenge champions St Helens continued their winning ways by beating arch-rivals Wigan in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup fourth round.

A packed house at Knowsley Road watched in delight as St Helens withstood fierce Wigan pressure to run out 22-8 winners.

Captain Chris Joynt, who was the inspiration behind Saints' famous victory over Brisbane, again led by example.

They are a quality team and they put us under pressure - I am proud of the way we defended

St Helens coach
Ian Millward

After 12 minutes, Wigan-born Joynt shrugged off Gary Connolly's tackle to send St Helens winger Anthony Sullivan over for the game's first try.

Four minutes later, Joynt ran from dummy half to get past Terry Newton and jink his way over for the 100th try of his St Helens career.

Sean Long converted both tries after missing with an early penalty.

Chris Joynt inspired Saints yet again

At 12-0 ahead, Saints looked in control but then took their foot off the pedal.

Wigan worked their way back into the game and were rewarded with a try after 20 minutes.

Half-back Adrian Lam's high kick allowed Connolly to pounce and skipper Andy Farrell's goal ate further into St Helens' lead.

Wigan had what would have been an equalising try disallowed when Saints forward Sonny Nickle got his boot to the ball to prevent Newton touching down Johns' grubber kick.

Casualties

The tempo of the game was typical of a derby with both sides committed but the uncompromising pace took its toll on both sides.

It's really disappointing - We came here prepared to win but they beat us in every area of the game

Wigan coach
Frank Endacott

Wigan lost full-back Kris Radlinski with a dead leg while Paul Sculthorpe was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured jaw and several loosened teeth.

Wigan substitute Harvey Howard, making his debut, was put on report by referee Stuart Cummings for a high tackle on Peter Shiels, who had received a cut head in the first half.

St Helens kicked off the second half 12-6 in front but then had to soak up heavy Wigan pressure.

Farrell kicked a penalty to bring the visitors within four points of St Helens.

But the pressure on Saints was eased when Paul Newlove stepped inside two tackles on the left wing and put through substitute Tim Jonkers, who put down in the corner.

Kevin Iro is tackled by Wigan pair David Furner and Adrian Lam

Long kicked the conversion and Saints seemed to regain their hold on the match.

Victory was sealed with a sensational length-of-the-pitch try.

Sean Hoppe beat three men deep inside his own half and off-loaded to Long, who then threw an overhead pass to Anthony Stewart.

The Wigan-born player sprinted over in the right-hand corner to score.

Wigan coach Frank Endacott set his sights on success in Super League after his side's cup hopes were dashed.

"It's early days yet and it's certainly not the end of the world," he said. "We'll come back a lot stronger after this.

"There's another competition and we'll be looking forward to making the Grand Final and this time winning it."

Saints boss Millward paid tribute to new Australian forwards Fairleigh and Shiels.

"We had 17 very good players but the two Australians showed why we bought them," he said.

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St Helens: Wellens, Hoppe, Iro, Newlove, Sullivan, Martyn, Long, Nickle, Cunningham, Fairleigh, Joynt, Shiels, Sculthorpe.
Replacements: Jonkers, Stankevitch, Stewart, Hall.

Wigan: Radlinski, Dallas, Renouf, Connolly, Johnson, Johns, Lam, O'Connor, Newton, Cowie, Furner, Betts, Farrell.
Replacements: Davies, Cassidy, Haughton, Howard.

Referee: Stuart Cummings.