Derby joy for Warriors

Wigan produced an outstanding performance to end their derby hoodoo and claim a place in the engage Super League play-offs.

The Warriors had lost eight consecutive derbies against neighbours St Helens, but they outfought the league leaders and Challenge Cup winners at the JJB Stadium to end Warrington's hopes of nicking sixth place.

Tries from David Vaealiki, Thomas Leuluai and Liam Colbon helped Wigan to rally after they twice fell behind, with a Pat Richards penalty 12 minutes from time confirming that they would extend their season by at least another week.

Wigan are likely to visit Bradford when the play-offs begin next weekend - depending on Huddersfield's result at Hull KR on Saturday - while Saints will have a weekend off before hosting Leeds in a fortnight's time.

Positive

The Warriors made a positive start, putting the St Helens defence under intense pressure, yet it was the visitors who put the first points on the board in the 13th minute.

Kieron Cunningham sprayed the ball out wide to Leon Pryce, whose precise pass sent Willie Talau sprinting over for the first try. Paul Wellens was unable to add the extras from close to the touchline.

Wigan continued to battle and they were rewarded on 20 minutes when Vaealiki intercepted deep in his own half and raced 80 yards to score a fine solo try.

Richards added a simple conversion for a 6-4 lead, but St Helens quickly responded with a magnificent try of their own.

Pryce put up a high kick to the right corner, where Ade Gardner rose to collect the ball and crash over for his team's second try.

This time Wellens found greater accuracy, despite once again being right up against the touchline, kicking brilliantly to give Saints a 10-6 advantage with 28 minutes on the clock.

Territorial advantage

Wigan began the second half as they had the first, quickly establishing a territorial advantage and they went ahead within four minutes of the restart.

Leuluai was the man to burrow over from close range, but the try owed everything to a superb offload from Iafeta Paleaaesina, who then supported Leuluai over the line.

Richards once again kicked the extras from under the posts to give Brian Noble's side a 12-10 lead.

Wigan were denied a third try by the video referee when Mark Calderwood raced onto Leuluai's kick to touch down.

Wellens levelled the scores shortly before the hour mark with a penalty, but the hosts were back in front when Colbon got the ball down in the left corner for a well-crafted try.

The kick from the left proved too difficult for Richards, but his penalty on 68 minutes put Wigan one converted score ahead when they needed only a draw to make the play-offs.

Wigan survived a few worrying moments in the closing stages, not least when Jon Wilkin was held up just short of the line, but they put the matter beyond doubt when Richards kicked another penalty in the 79th minute.