Wigan Warriors 24 St Helens 26: Saints close in on leaders after thrilling derby win at Warriors

ST HELENS coach Mick Potter saluted England rejects Leon Pryce and Paul Wellens for their displays in a breathless and brutal derby win over Wigan at the DW Stadium.

The experienced duo, who have not played for the national side since the disastrous World Cup campaign in 2008, were outstanding for the third-placed Saints, who cut the gap on their bitter rivals at the top of the table to four points, while Warrington are even closer, sitting just two points adrift.

Pryce produced one of his most creative performances of the season, while Wellens was almost perfect at full-back, leading Potter to laud the pair of them after the game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Leon fired a couple out of the cannon at one stage," Potter said, referring to a 40-20 kick from the stand-off that laid the platform for his side to score three quick tries. "He performed as a leader does.

"Paul was faultless at full-back and fielded some difficult kicks. They were mounting a lot of pressure and there were numerous try-saving tackles that Paul came up with. I don't think there's a better positional full-back in the league."

Despite leading 16-2 and 26-12 during the game, a stunning Wigan comeback which saw Michael McIlorum and Martin Gleeson cross late on to set up a frantic finale, meant Potter, while delighted, was also left with plenty to ponder.

"That was one of our best (performances) and I think there's a little bit more we can do," he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"They put some pressure on us in the second half and we withstood it. I think we can play better but I don't doubt our resilience and courage under pressure."

Wigan boss Michael Maguire admitted a poor first-half showing had cost his side.

Apart from an early Pat Richards penalty, the Warriors had to wait until a couple of seconds shy of the half-time hooter to make an impact, with Karl Pryce scoring his 12th try in eight games.

The Australian said afterwards his side would be keen to rectify their mistakes.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We probably didn't achieve the things we set out to in the first half but we did in the second," he said. "It was a credit to St Helens that they hung in there and managed to get away with the points."

Wigan Warriors: Richards, Roberts, Gleeson, Carmont, Pryce, S. Tomkins, Leuluai, Fielden, McIlorum, Coley, Bailey, J. Tomkins, Farrell. Substitutes: Riddell, Prescott, Paleaaesina, Tuson.

St Helens: Wellens, Foster, Gidley, Flannery, Meli, Pryce, Moore, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Clough, Dixon, Puletua. Substitutes: Roby, Johnson, Ashurst, Fozzard.

Referee: Phil Bentham (Warrington).