Liverpool St Helens in hard-fought win at Wigan

It took a dominating second half performance to do so with the Wiganers totally belying their lowly league position, giving the Moss Laners plenty to think about in the first forty minutes.

As well as scoring seven tries on the day, including a contender for try of the season from the ageless Matt Cunliffe, the win owed much to a strong and coordinated defence with few, if any missed tackles, as the sprightly opposition ran the ball whenever they got the chance.

Matt Johnston, standing in at scrum half, looked as though this was his natural position, although his job was made much easier playing behind a solid and settled front eight (with equally effective replacements) that has performed well all season.

Chris Hull opened the scoring for LSH and was quickly equalled by Wigan’s opening try. Speedster John Romano then crossed, swiftly followed by Matt Cunliffe, pegged back again by a second score from Wigan, before skipper Paddy Royle plunged over from short range to make it 17-22 at half time.

Now with the strong and blustery wind behind them, LSH, despite the alarming number of penalties being awarded against them, dominated for the rest of the game.

Alex McBride scored a belter after 44 minutes, before Matt Cunliffe neatly kicked over the Wigan back line from his own 22, caught the ball on the bounce, and ran 80 yards to score under the posts.

McBride, relishing his return to action, scooted over for the seventh, just before the close.

LSH travel to Littleborough next Saturday for the semi-final of the ADM Cup. 2.15.

LSH U18 and U15 girls are both through to the last eight in the RFU U18 and U15 RFU National Cup Competitions after convincing wins over Burton and Mansfield respectively. The next round is on 6 March.