14. Joe Lydon (replaced Steve Hampson - 32nd Minute), 15. Neil Cowie (replaced Billy McGinty - 60th Minute)
11. Steve Hampson (returned to replace Martin Dermott - 68th Minute)

WiganlTries:l

Dean Bell, Phil Clarke, Shaun Edwards

1. David Lyon, 2. Alan Hunte, 3. Gary Connolly, 4. Paul Loughlin, 5. Les Quirk, 6. Tea Ropati, 7. Shane Cooper

14. Jonathan Griffiths (not used), 15. Phil Veivers (replaced Kevin Ward - 60th Minute)

StlHelenslTries:l

Saints came into this Challenge Cup derby four points clear of Wigan at the top of the table, albeit having played two games more, but having beaten Wigan 41-6 in the Christmas Derby at Knowsley Road, they were full of confidence ahead of this tie. Wigan though hadn't lost in the Challenge Cup since 1987 and were in no mood to surrender here. It was a tight first quarter with the deadlock only being broken by a David Lyon drop goal that put Saints 1-0 ahead. It was a short lived lead though because three minutes later, Dean Bell beat Kevin Ward, Les Quirk and Paul Loughlin to score in the corner and Frano Botica converted for 6-1. Into the second half and Wigan nullified Saints earlier drop goal with one of their one by Joe Lydon for 7-1 before Loughlin kicked a penalty goal for 7-3. Then Martin Offiah kicked a drop goal to make it 8-3, all this within seven minutes of the second half restart. The game broke when Phil Clarke burst up the middle and beat two missed tackles to score and Botica converted to make it 14-3. A third drop goal of the game, this time from Lydon, made it 15-3 before Martin Dermott's offload got Shaun Edwards bursting over for a try on the hour which made it 21-3 after Botica converted. He later added a penalty goal to complete the victory.

Wigan 6 St Helens 1

21,191

Referee:l

Russell Smith (Castleford)

Television:l

Live Coverage on BBC 1 during "Grandstand"