LIVERPOOL ST HELENS 52 WIGAN 7 (11/1/2020)

Liverpool St Helens comfortably overpowered a spirited Wigan side with another fine display. After building an early lead they withstood a determined fight back from the visitors, either side of half time, to roar away in the final twenty five minutes with five tries to emphasise the win.

Once again it was a thoroughly efficient team effort, with mature displays from Rob Sexton, Alex McClurg and Andy Bacon having a significant impact.  

Attacking from the off, LSH were rewarded with a try in the first minute from centre Jordan Royle latching on to a fine break from Alex McClurg to score under the posts. Jamie Morris converted. 7-0. Five minutes later right winger Morris tidily finished of a smooth backs move to score in the corner. 12-0. The lad then recorded an unusual hat trick when Yellow carded five minutes later!

LSH went further ahead in the 28th minute when prop Adam Gore took full advantage of a rare opportunity, after strong pressure, to dive over under the posts. Morris, now back on, converted. 19-0. This signalled some serious intent from the visitors and they enjoyed decent territory and possession for the last ten minutes of the half. Their efforts brought a try in the 39th minute for a   19-7 scoreline at half time.

Wigan started well again in the second half but LSH soon reasserted control with the bonus point try from number 8 Chris Hull after a scrum close to the Wigan line, Morris converting. 26-7. Thereafter it was all LSH with skipper Paddy Royle notching the fifth try after exploiting a gap in the Wigan defence in the 65th minute, Morris again converting. 33-7. Six minutes later scrum half Darren Wilson announced his return to action when charging through a packed defence for a try, Morris successful again. 40-7. Hull then scored his second in the 76th minute, Morris converting, 47-7, before Wilson, clearly relishing the afternoons proceedings, touched down in the right corner after a typical 50 yard burst, fending off any would be tacklers. 52-7

Team

15 Bacon 14 Hennigan 13 Royle J 12 McClurg 11 Morris 10 Sexton 9 Wilson 1 Gore 2 Jackson 3 Macaulay 4 Royle P © 5 Hall 6 Shelley 7 Thompson 8 Hull 16 Hattingh 17 Potter 18 Bonati 19 Webster 20 Webster.  

John Williams.