ST HELENS cruised into the Super League Grand Final after overcoming a stubborn Wigan Warriors in an 18-4 win.
Wigan started the brighter of the two sides when Izzy Rowe broke through in the first minute, but Saints held on and intercepted and they too bombed a chance moments later following a superb Vicky Whitfield run.
The Warriors looked in the mood, though, and they forced a drop-out when a teasing Rowe kick was batted out by Phoebe Hook.
That being said, ill-discipline hampered Wigan and the hosts took advantage, Emily Rudge going in off a wonderful Zoe Harris pass in the 14th minute. Faye Gaskin converted for a 6-0 lead.
However, the Warriors were looking to spread the ball at every opportunity, and the visitors’ off-the-cuff style paid dividends moments later when Anna Davies broke down the right wing.
Davies, in turn, fed Georgia Wilson with Jenna Foubister on hand to take a brilliant pass and slide over, despite the attentions of three defenders. Rowe, though, missed a sitter of a conversion with Saints still leading 6-4.
The home side were finding it difficult to hang onto the coattails on the Warriors, but a number of mistakes invited more pressure from Saints – but stern Wigan defence kept the hosts out.
And Denis Betts’ side almost punished their opponents when Rowe sent a ball out wide to Davies, but a magnificent Leah Burke tackle forced the Wigan winger into touch.
It was nip-and-tuck throughout the opening first 40 minutes, but neither baulked as half-time approached with Saints still holding a 6-4 lead at the break.
The Warriors, however, couldn’t have started much worse immediately following the resumption with Rowe’s kick-off going out on the full.
And Saints made Wigan pay, a tremendous Gaskin pass hit Burke beautifully, and Super League’s top try-scorer added yet another to her collection. Gaskin couldn’t convert but the hosts now led 10-4.
Whatever Matty Smith had said at half-time had certainly worked, with Saints piling on the pressure as Rachael Woosey crossed in the corner after a brilliant Katie Mottershead break. Gaskin was wayward with the extras with the hosts now 14-4 up.
But another Rowe kick-off went out on the full as Saints revelled in the halfback’s mistakes. And even though Davies went close, the visitors were making errors aplenty despite Saints leading by just ten.
Burke almost had another just after the hour before she did grab her 27th of the season off a stellar Jodie Cunningham pass with eight minutes to go. Gaskin couldn’t convert, but Saints were now too far ahead for Wigan to get back into proceedings with an 18-4 lead.
GAMESTAR: Zoe Harris’ kicking game was brilliant throughout.
GAMEBREAKER: Two St Helens tries just after half-time made it 14-4 – and Wigan had no reply.
HIGHLIGHT REEL: Jenna Foubister’s try was a thing of beauty, involving a stellar Anna Davies break.
St Helens
1 Beri Salihi
20 Phoebe Hook
4 Erin Stott
30 Rachael Woosey
5 Leah Burke
6 Zoe Harris
7 Faye Gaskin
8 Vicky Whitfield
9 Tara Jones
10 Shanny Crowl
12 Emily Rudge
11 Paige Travis
13 Jodie Cunningham
Substitutes
14 Naomi Williams
16 Darcy Stott
19 Katie Mottershead
22 Megan Williams
Tries: Rudge (14), Burke (42, 72), Woosey (46)
Goals: Gaskin 1/3
Wigan Warriors
1 Grace Banks
3 Anna Davies
39 Georgia Wilson
4 Molly Jones
5 Ellise Derbyshire
32 Isabel Rowe
37 Jenna Foubister
10 Holly Speakman
33 Carys Marsh
8 Alice Fisher
12 Mary Coleman
13 Victoria Molyneux
14 Rachel Thompson
Substitutes
21 Jade Gregory-Haselden
23 Kaitlin Hilton
26 Cerys Jones
34 Ruby Hunter
Tries: Foubister (18)
Goals: Rowe 0/1
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Player of the Match
Saints: ; Warriors:
Penalty count 3-4
Half-time: 6-4
Referee: Luke Bland
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-4; 10-4, 14-4
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