Leyland helps St Helens fight back to stun Wigan

Match Statistics

St Helens (10) 34: Tries – Whitley, Clark, Hastings, Sailor, Leyland 2; Goals – Sailor 5.

Wigan (12) 24: Tries – Smith, Farrimond, Field, Eckersley; Goals – Keighran 4.

Game Summary

Bill Leyland’s debut for St Helens was marked by a sensational late performance, as he scored two tries to spark a dramatic comeback against Super League leaders Wigan Warriors. The game saw a rollercoaster of moments, with Saints narrowly edging out the visitors for a thrilling derby victory.

Wigan started strongly, with Harry Smith opening the scoring. Matt Whitley responded swiftly, while Jack Farrimond and Daryl Clark traded tries early on. Jai Field, returning from a month-long injury layoff, and Zach Eckersley extended Wigan’s lead to 24-10. However, St Helens turned the tide with a flurry of late tries, first by Jackson Hastings and Tristan Sailor, before Leyland’s heroics sealed the win.

Leyland, who joined on a one-week loan from Hull KR, scored his first Super League tries in the final moments. His two touchdowns, following an audacious run from halfway, left the crowd in awe and shifted the momentum decisively in Saints’ favor. The only setbacks for St Helens came when Agnatius Paasi left the field with a hamstring injury and Shane Wright was forced off after a collision with Ellis.

Key Moments

Wigan’s lead appeared secure when Kaide Ellis crossed, but video referee Marcus Griffiths overturned the try after reviewing Wingfield’s defensive effort. This decision didn’t dampen the visitors’ momentum, as Field added a third try following a Smith kick. Oliver Partington later sent Eckersley over, widening the gap before the final stages.

As the game neared its end, St Helens’ resurgence began. Hastings touched down under pressure from Field, and Sailor’s conversion narrowed the deficit. Leyland entered the fray just before the hour mark, replacing Daryl Clark, and delivered the decisive blow with a rapid double in the closing minutes.

Teams and Players

St Helens: Robertson; Dagnall, Whitley, Cross, Murphy; Sailor, Hastings; Klemmer, Clark, Paasi, Wright, Wingfield, Shorrocks. Interchanges: Stephens, Davies, Dezaria, Leyland.

Wigan: Field; Eckersley, Keighran, Farrell, Marshall; Farrimond, Smith; Havard, O’Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Walters, Ellis. Interchanges: Mago, Partington, Eseh, Hodkinson.

Referee: Jack Smith.