Wigan Warriors 10

St. Helens 22

SAINTS laid another ghost to rest with their first league victory at Central Park in a decade.

It took a superb second half fightback, in which all their 22 points were scored, to produce the two Super League points.

Substitute Ian Pickavance led the second half charge along with the outstanding Lee Briers.

Chasing Wigan's 8-0 half-time lead, which came courtesy of a Gary Connolly try and two Andy Farrell goals, Shaun McRae's men stamped their authority on the game after the break.

Pickavance opened their account on 45 minutes before sending Anthony Sullivan clear five minutes later, the Welsh winger skinning David Murray to touch down.

Briers converted his second goal before Farrell edged Wigan back in the hunt with a penalty.

Pickavance, introduced in the first half following an injury to Derek McVey, was involved in the third try too. He and Allan Hunte combined on the last tackle to put Danny Arnold over. Briers goaled from the touchline.

Hunte continued his golden run of form with a 68th minute try to conclude the scoring.

Aussie McRae, who earlier this year coached Saints to their first Challenge Cup win over Wigan in 20 years, could not hide his delight.

"It was a great win for us. That performance was all about self belief," he said.

"We knew the club had not won here in 10 years, which was a statistical hoodoo. But I can't control what has happened in the past. I can only control what happens in the future.

"This goes down as one of our best wins. We are elated."

He added: "I think 8-0 at half-time was a fair indication of the way the game had gone.

"In the second half we made fewer errors and were more adventurous with the football.

"Many people have said we cannot beat the best without Bobbie Goulding in our team. That monkey is now back in the zoo!"

McRae was forced to reshuffle his side just five minutes before the kick-off when stand off Tommy Martyn withdrew due to a niggling hamstring injury.

"Tommy's greatest fear was that, in a game of such pace, someone could beat him on the outside," said McRae.

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