The old rivalry was renewed and two mistakes from Wigan fullback Matt Bowen meant St. Helens ran out comprehensive victors 30-14, with 22 of those points coming in the second half.

Wigan opened the scoring with a try from Dan Sarginson after 10 minutes. Saints hit back through Adam Swift after half an hour was played, and then took the lead three minutes later as Jordan Turner burst through the Warriors defence to score in the same corner.

But with both conversions missed, a Joe Burgess interception and 70m run put the Warriors in front at half time, leading 8-10. Then came the first mistake from Bowen. Poor judgement of the bouncing ball left Travis Burns an easy collect to score the first try in the second half after 43 minutes.

Wigan levelled at 14-14 with a Joel Tomkins try on 50 minutes, creating a good overlap for the centre to score. But it proved to be their final points of the night.

Saints then ran in 16 unanswered points to seal the victory. The haul was started by Mark Percival, slotting over a penalty. A second mistake by Bowen, this time having problems with a huge kick, left his opposite number, and man of the match, Shannon McDonnell with an easy collect and score.

The last try of the game came from another Wigan mistake; this time Sarginson passing to nobody for Wilkin to pick up the ball and score. Percival added another penalty with four minutes remaining, putting Saints on an even 30 points.

After Leeds’ loss on the night before, Saints put themselves a point clear at the top of the Super League table with their win. Wigan’s loss meant they stayed in third position.

Saint’s coach Kieran Cunningham was quick to comment on the side’s second half performance, saying:  “I thought we were super in that second half.

"Wigan did come up with a couple of unforced errors, so we got a bit of luck, and in rugby league you take your luck. This was always going to be a real test for us but I’m really pleased with the players.”

Wigan coach Shaun Wane was far more critical of his side: "We weren’t good enough. They were the better team, no doubt about that. My team didn’t offer anything. We didn’t give ourselves the chance to win the game.”

St. Helens: McDonnell, Dawson, Turner, Percival, Swift, Burns, Wilkin (C), Walmsley, Roby, Amor, Flanagan, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Jones (subs) Masoe, Richards, Savelio, Fleming

Tries: McDonell, Turner, Swift, Burns, Wilkin

Goals: Percival (5)

Wigan Warriors: Bowen, Charnley, Tomkins, Sarginson, Burgess, Williams, Smith, Mossop, McIlorum, Flower, Bateman, Farrell, O’Loughlin (C) (subs) Crosby, Powell, Tautai, Patrick

Tries: Tomkins, Sarginson, Burgess

Goals: Smith

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