SAINTS brought Mal Meninga into the dressing room to give the side a pep talk ahead of their first Easter win over arch rivals Wigan since 2009.

The players responded with a 21-18 victory with late Regan Grace try and a Danny Richardson conversion and drop goal sealing it to keeps Saints on top of the Super League.

Saints boss Justin Holbrook, who had asked Meninga to say a few words, said: "It's great that Mal could be here and I got him in to talk to them.

"Although he was only here for a season, everyone still talks about the impact he had. To get Mal to the game was awesome.

"It was a fantastic game of rugby league. I saw highlights of the Good Friday clashes over the years and it delivered again.

"Someone pointed out that we hadn't won it in eight years, it means so much to everyone in the town.

When asked if he was surprised Saints had not set up for a drop goal, ahead of the Grace try, Holbrook replied: “Towards the back end of the game you could see both teams were out but I thought there was another try in the game.

"I was really happy with the play – Ryan Morgan made a break down the right to start it off and I think for their instinct to just say play was the right decision."

But after winning on his first Good Friday in charge, Holbrook reflected: "We missed a couple of chances but to their credit Wigan scrambled well.

“I have been proud of the boys all season so for Wigan to get their noses in front and for us to stick to it and come through is great.”

It was Saints' first Easter victory in the fixture since 2009, when the teams played on Maundy Thursday, and their first Good Friday success since the previous year.

Tries from Ben Barba and Zeb Taia gave Saints a 12-2 lead but Wigan hit back through Joel Tomkins and Willie Isa to take a lead.

However, Richardson levelled the scores with a penalty and he then converted Grace's try five minutes from the end, before coolly adding a drop goal.

Tomkins added a second try in the final minute but it was too late to affect the outcome and Wigan coach Shaun Wane could not hide his disappointment over his first Good Friday defeat as coach.

"I can't put into words how bad I feel," Wane said. "It's a very important game in our calendar.

"But, in the cold light of day, when I look back, Ill be okay with that."