Wigan Warriors defeated St Helens 24-14 in a thrilling Super League derby at the Brick Community Stadium on Friday, April 18, 2025. Jai Field delivered an inspired performance, scoring two crucial tries that guided Wigan to their seventh victory in the last eight meetings with their fierce rivals. The match showcased Wigan’s superior handling of the conditions and their ability to perform under pressure, solidifying their position as the team to beat.
Despite a determined effort from St Helens, who fought back from an 18-2 deficit to make it 18-14, Wigan held firm and finished the game with a final try from Abbas Miski, sealing the win in the dying minutes. The match was far from a classic, but it was a well-earned victory for Wigan, who showed resilience and composure at key moments.
Wigan took control early, leading 12-2 at half-time. Field’s first try, set up by an accurate kick from Bevan French, gave Wigan the advantage. Harry Smith also played a pivotal role, creating chaos in the St Helens defence, which led to Miski’s try. The Saints, on the other hand, struggled to create anything meaningful and were wasteful when chances arose.
In the second half, Field continued to shine, scoring a brilliant solo try that stretched Wigan’s lead to 18-2. At that point, it seemed as though the game was beyond St Helens. However, the Saints showed character in the final quarter, narrowing the deficit to 18-14 with two tries of their own. Lewis Murphy’s brilliant individual effort and Agnatius Paasi’s close-range try gave St Helens hope, and George Whitby’s two conversions made it a gripping finale.
With the game hanging in the balance, St Helens pushed hard to complete the comeback, but their efforts were undone by an unforced error in the final stages. This mistake allowed Miski to score his second try and secure the win for Wigan, leaving St Helens lamenting missed opportunities.
The win was particularly significant for Wigan fans, as it came on the same day the club announced the signing of former England winger Christian Wade, who will join the team later in the summer after his commitments with Gloucester in rugby union end. Wade, who has also tried his hand at American football, was in attendance at the game and could soon be competing for a spot in Wigan’s starting lineup. His arrival will add further depth to an already strong squad, but with Miski’s impressive double and Field’s continued excellence, Wade will face stiff competition for a place in the team.
Wigan’s head coach, Matt Peet, was proud of his team’s performance, especially their ability to overcome adversity. “They rose to the occasion and stuck together,” Peet said. “I had every faith in them.” The victory took Wigan up to second place in the Super League standings, further strengthening their credentials as one of the league’s top teams.
For St Helens, it was another disappointing defeat in the derby, and head coach Paul Wellens was frustrated with the way his side had let the game slip. “We were the engineers of our own downfall,” Wellens said, acknowledging that the Saints’ mistakes had cost them. Although they’ve enjoyed tremendous success in recent years, it’s clear that the rivalry is currently being dominated by Wigan.
