Memorable Good Friday Derby home victories
wigan warriors host st helens in the latest Good Friday Derby in front of a sold out The Brick Community Stadium.
A maximum crowd awaits the biggest Derby in rugby league, as Matt Peet’s side aim to build on their impressive Betfred Super League victory at table toppers Hull KR last time out.
Ahead of the highly anticipated Rivals Round clash, we look at three Good Friday home victories from over the years:
Wigan Warriors 22-20 St Helens, 2005.
Having opened the scoring after five minutes when Danny Tickle crashed over from close range, the Warriors extended their lead in the next attack when Kris Radlinski raced over after a break from halfway. Despite Keiron Cunnigham’s converted try mid-way through the half, Wigan capitalised on a St Helens handling error to add a third score when Brett Dallas crossed in the corner.
St Helens scored three tries in five minutes through Jamie Lyon, Jon Wilkin and Cunningham to take a 20-18 lead into the break. After Tickle levelled from the tee, and despite losing Sean O’Loughlin to injury, the Warriors regained the lead with eight minutes to go after an offside infringement. Firm defence in the closing stages from Wigan saw out the win to claim a huge Good Friday victory.
Wigan Warriors 28-24 St Helens, 2011.
Liam Farrell’s last minute try earned Wigan one of the great Good Friday Derby victories in front of a sold out crowd.
St Helens built a 10-0 lead inside half an hour after tries on opposite sides from Michael Shenton and Jamie Foster. The Warriors hit-back before the break when neat hands set Josh Charnley up to finish in the corner for a 10-4 half time score.
An emphatic start to the second half saw Pat Richards score twice, in between Charnley’s second, to put the Warriors 22-10 ahead before the hour. Despite falling behind after tries from Foster and Tommy Makinson, Wigan sealed a dramatic win with 53 seconds remaining when Farrell crashed over from Paul Deacon’s short pass with Richards adding the extras.
Wigan Warriors 14-6 St Helens, 2023.
The Warriors produced a hard-fought performance to end a run of Good Friday Derby’s defeats to go second in the Betfred Super League table.
A try and two goals from Harry Smith, alongside excellent defensive work from Bevan French and Joe Shorrocks, ensured the Warriors led 8-0 at the break. Toby King hit the Saints line perfectly to widen the difference, before St Helens responded through Jonny Lomax on the hour to set up a tense finish.
St Helens thought they’d added a second try through Morgan Knowles, however, a review with the video referee showed the forward had knocked on in a tackle from Shorrocks. Wigan held on in the closing stages to claim a Good Friday victory in front of a sold out crowd.
Watch each victory in full, as well as other Derby matches, on Wigan TV HERE.
