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Wigan nilled by Saints

Wigan were taught a lesson in taking chances in a classic easter encounter between the old enemies.

In a tryless first half Wigan had a number of opportunities to score but were kept out by a combination of their own mistakes and superb Saints defence.

Martyn's skill proved the difference between the two sides but the game will be best remembered for a fantastic tackle from Keiron Cunningham to deny Mark Smith a try.

A full house of 15, 100 packed into Knowsley Road and saw a thrilling, but for Warriors' fans ultimately disappointing, game.

Just a Sean Long penalty seperated the teams at the break the half did not lack attacking flair. Both sides had opportunities to score.

Wigan ought have got a try in the first five minutes. Julian O'Neill broke clear down the right but instead of passing outside to unmarked centre Paul Johnson he ran the ball himself on the inside and lost posession.

The video referee spared Gary Connolly's blushes on fifteen minutes. His failure to palm the ball over the dead ball line nearly allowed Sculthorpe to score.

The Warriors had periods of sustained pressure on the Saints line but just could not penetrate the magnificent defence.

O'Neill again bust the line but again lost the ball in a try scoring position.

O'Neill was forced to leave the field early in the second half with a foot injury and joined Paul Johnson in the treatment room who had hobbled off in the first half.

When Keiron Cunningham denied Mark Smith a try the match turned in St. Helens favour. David Hodgson got clear down the right, drew in full back Wellens and passed inside to Mark Smith. The nippy hooker looked certain to score in the corner but amazingly his counter part Cunnigham not only caught him but turned him over, used his legs to stop him touching down and then took him into touch.

Millward described Cunninghams tackle as "The greatest tackle I have seen in my coaching career."

Seizing on Wigan's disappointment Tommy Martyn then gave a master class in half back play.

He put a chip behind the Wigan line, collected it and then whilst looking the other way passed to Peter Shiels to score under the post. Long converted.

Two minutes later Martyn scored himself, swooping on a Long grubber kick missed by Connolly. Long again converted and a minute later Martyn audaciously dropped a goal to take the score to 15-0.

By this time the Warriors had run out of ideas.

Stewart added insult to injury with a last minute touch down, brushing off Brian Carney in the process.

Raper said afterwards, " I am disappointed not disheartened. It was a game of missed chances for us."