First Utility Super League XIX - Grand Final review

St Helens 14

Tries: Soliola, Makinson
Goals: Percival 3/3

Wigan Warriors 6

Tries: Burgess
Goals: Smith 1/2

Att: 70,102
Played at Old Trafford Manchester

Man of the Match: James Roby (Harry Sunderland Trophy)

St Helens claimed their first title since 2006 with a hard-fought win over twelve man Wigan Warriors.

For the third time in Super League history great rivals St Helens and Wigan Warriors would go head-to-head in the Grand Final.

Saints who finished League leaders in the regular season were looking to avoid a sixth successive defeat at the Theatre of Dreams as Wigan were hoping to retain their title which would their third in five years.

They only real major change on both sides was that Wigan had play without first choice hooker Michael McIlorum which meant Sam Powell started and teenager George Williams was promoted on to the bench.

The game got off to a fiery start and after just two minutes, the Warriors were reduced to twelve men as prop Ben Flower was shown a red card for repeatedly punching Lance Hohaia after the Saints halfback had collided with him as Wiganput up a high bomb on the last.

After both sides went at each other again the deadlock was finally broken on 15 minutes when St Helens were penalised for an obstruction and Matty smith added a penalty goal to give Wigan a 2-0 advantage.

On 28 minutes we were all square as Blake Green was penalised for holding down and Mark Percival kicked the penalty. Wigan then withstood some pressure before hitting back right on the half-time hooter.

After a pass from Dan Sarginson was touched by a St Helens hand from the resulting scrum, the ball was switched by the Warriors and teenage winger Joe Burgess scored in the left hand corner. Smith could not add the extras as Wigan led 6-2 at the break.

Saints came out in determined move for the second half and after building up the pressure Wigan cracked on 53-minutes. Playing in his final game for Saints, Sia Soliola took James Roby's pass fro dummy half and powered his way over the line. Percival added the extras as St Helens led 8-6.

Soon after back came Wigan a superb break by Liam Farrell setup the position for his side to score but John Bateman put down a pass from Matty Bowen with the line open and just after the hour mark more good passing created another chance with Josh Charnley just held short illegally Smith put the penalty wide.

This gave St Helens the confidence they needed and twelve minutes from time they won the game. On the last tackle, Paul Wellens high bomb was collected by Tommy Makinson who scored next to the uprights. Percival tagged on the goal to increase the lead to 14-6.

Wigan tried there best to get back on terms but Saints superb defence kept them out as they held on to end their losing run at Old Trafford and claim a record equalling sixth Super League title.

St Helens: Wellens, Makinson, Percival, Jones, Swift, Flanagan, Hohaia, Amor, Roby, Masoe, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Soliola, Turner.
Interchange: Manu, Walmsley, Richards, Thompson.

Wigan Warriors: Bowen, Charnley, Gelling, Sarginson, Burgess, Green, Smith, Flower, Powell, Crosby, Tomkins, L. Farrell, O'Loughlin.
Interchange: Pettybourne, Clubb, Bateman, Williams.

Referee: Phil Bentham