A depleted Liverpool St Helens travelled over Billinge Hill to the splendid Wigan ground and returned triumphant after halting their recent run of defeats. Playing with enormous desire and effort and led superbly by the mercurial Darren Wilson they eventually triumphed by five tries to four.

The line-up had a patched up look about it with Sam Ward making his debut, Paddy Selkirk and Adam Gore making their second appearances, Mark Devine being cajoled out of semi-retirement and one or two more drafted in from the seconds. In the eighty minutes that followed it hardly mattered. Dan Filson, Mark Fryer, Chris Houlton and Jake Hodson made their experience tell throughout and with skipper Wilson they were instrumental in guiding their team to a morale boosting win. 20 year old Paddy Royle had another fine game in the second row and having had to quickly adapt to a senior status role in the pack, is clearly revelling in the responsibility.

LSH had a dream start from the kick off when a strong drive saw Mark Devine crash over for a try, converted by Filson. Sadly for the influential back row forward this was followed by a serious looking back injury in the second half bringing an early end to his afternoon’s efforts. Filson added a penalty four minutes later before Darren Wilson scooted around the blind side of a scrum to make it 0-15 after seventeen minutes.

Wigan had hardly touched the ball and in their first attack were awarded a bizarre penalty try when Filson was adjudged to have deliberately knocked on when attempting to intercept a Wigan attack. As the stand-off made his way off for 10 minutes the try was converted and Wigan were in the game at 7-15. Buoyed by the try they nearly scored again but for a tremendous try saving tackle from young Selkirk.

They did score when a failed drop kick attempt by Filson led to a superb try run the length of the pitch, converted to make it 14-15 at half time.

Wigan then took the lead with a try soon after the restart before LSH hit back with tries from centre Andrew Rawsthorne and utility man Danny Webster, a lad who improves with every game, converted by Filson, for an eight point lead in the 61st minute.

Four minutes later ex-LSH man Martin Gambles scythed through the LSH defence for a try to make it 24-27 and the game was in the balance. Wigan could have taken the lead when scrum half Andy Whittle broke through before being sensationally tap tackled just five yards from the line by winger Andy Pickavance. Darren Wilson was on hand to tidy up and the danger was averted.

As the game moved towards its close, LSH then produced their best moment of the afternoon, moving the ball 60 yards with a series of pick and go’s before the hardworking Mario Bonati, on as a replacement, finished off the move by charging over for a try, Filson converted. There was still just time for Wigan to land a final penalty to secure a deserved losing bonus point to add to the four try bonus point that both sides had already earned.