Wigan Warriors recorded their first win in eight meetings against the arch enemy St Helens at the JJB Stadium on Friday night. The two Super League points enough for Wigan to ensure a top six spot and a place in next week Play-Offs.

It was a nervy affair with a six point margin the largest points difference that separated the two sides all evening until a late penalty on 76 minutes extended that to eight. A great team display full of passion and desire by Wigan in front of a fantastic 22,000 plus crowd.

There were some crunching tackles in the early stages, a Barrett grubber kick forced a drop out from Saints with eight minutes on the clock, that after Phil Bailey had been held just short. Soon after a Leuluai kick was almost taken by Vaealiki over the try line but Ade Gardner just got there first to clear the danger.

The deadlock though was broken at the other end on 13 minutes, Leon Pryce with a defence splitting pass which sent over Willie Talau for the try out wide. Paul Wellens missed the extras.

On 21 minutes, the Warriors struck back. O’Loughlin found space on the Saints right and he sent David Vaealiki away. The Kiwi in his final home game for the club sped away and despite having options both left and right in Calderwood and Colbon went himself and out paced Paul Wellens for the try. Richards added the extras 6-4.

On 27 minutes, Saints thought they were certain to score, Talau looking for Meli, Pat Richards with a crucial interception.

St Helens got their second try on 29 minutes, Pryce with a towering kick and Gardner rising above Colbon to gather. Wellens added a superb touchline conversion, 6-10. That’s the way it stayed until the interval.

Four minutes into the second half and the Warriors crashed in fore their second try, Paleaaesina with the off load and Thomas Leuluai did well under pressure to twist and ground the ball. Richards extras made it 12-10.

Wigan were unfortunate denied a try by the video referee on 56 minutes. A Barrett cross field kick was taken by Goulding who kicked the ball on, a Leuluai kick and Calderwood dived on the loose ball. At the other end St Helens were awarded a penalty for holding down in the tackle by Phil Bailey. Wellens penalty levelled it at 12-12 with 59 minutes on the clock.

On 62 minutes the Warriors did get their third try. Barrett fed David Vaealiki and he did well to sneak a pass out the back door to send in Liam Colbon for the touchdown. The conversion was missed by Richards.

St Helens were penalised on 68 minutes for off side and immediately Brian Noble signalled Wigan to go for the two points. Pat Richards hit the penalty to edge the score to 18-12.

A further Richards penalty made it 20-12 as a Saints drop out failed to reach the required difference.

Wigan fans have had to wait some time to experience the delight of a win over Saints and this was as sweet as it comes at home and with what was at stake for the cherry and whites.

Wigan Warriors: Mark Calderwood, David Vaealiki, Phil Bailey, Pat Richards, Liam Colbon, Trent Barrett, Thomas Leuluai, Iafeta Paleaaesina, Shane Millard, Stuart Fielden, Harrison Hansen, Bryan Fletcher, Sean O'Loughlin
Subs: Darrell Goulding, Paul Prescott, Mick Higham, Gareth Hock

Tries: David Vaealiki, Liam Colbon, Thomas Leuluai
Goals: Pat Richards(4)

St Helens: Paul Wellens, Ade Gardner, Matt Gidley, Willie Talau, Francis Meli, Leon Pryce, Jon Wilkin, James Graham, Kieron Cunningham, Jason Cayless, Lee Gilmour, Mike Bennett, Chris Flannery
Replacements: James Roby, Bryn Hargreaves, Paul Clough, Maurie Fa'asavalu

Tries: Talau, Gardner
Goals: Wellens (2)