St Helens' Nick Fozzard is stopped by Wigan's Bryan Fletcher

Wigan: (8) 14
Tries: Richards, Leuluai
Goals: Richards (3)

St Helens: (16) 32
Tries: Meli, Talau, Roby, Fa'asavalu, Gidley, Bennett
Goals: Sculthorpe (3), Long

St Helens shone both in defence and attack to claim a well-earned victory over local rivals Wigan.

Although Wigan took an early lead through Pat Richards, St Helens were quickly back on terms through Francis Meli and took control after that.

Willie Talau, James Roby and Maurie Fa'asavalu all crossed to put them 22-8 up as Saints swept aside the Warriors.

Thomas Leuluai's try cut the gap but the Saints defence held firm and Matt Gidley and Mike Bennett sealed the win.

Chasing their first derby success for two years, Wigan made the perfect start when Gidley's pass was grabbed by Leuluai and he released Richards to go on an 80-metre run to the line.

606: DEBATE Something should be done about the week in week out poor refereeing performances RM

But Saints soon hit back when Lee Gilmour gave Francis Meli the space to get the better of Mark Calderwood and go over.

Saints captain Paul Sculthorpe, starting his first match of 2007, added the goal to level the scores and the visitors went in front on 24 minutes with Wigan's Michael Withers in the sin-bin for dissent.

Talau marked his 100th appearance with a well-taken try at the corner but Sculthorpe missed the extras.

Eight minutes before half-time, the outstanding Roby scored his side's third try directly from a play-the-ball 30 metres out. O'Loughlin fell for his dummy and the Great Britain player had the pace to go round Withers.

Wigan pulled two points back in first-half injury time when Richards opted to kick for goal but it took St Helens just three minutes of the second half to increase their lead.

Gidley broke down the right and eventually Fa'asavalu took Leon Pryce's pass to force his way over the line for a try converted by Sculthorpe.

Leuluai's effort, converted by Richards, cut the gap to eight points and they were given further hope when Talau was denied a second try by the video referee.

But Gidley's 62nd minute try put Saints back in command and although Sean Long missed the conversion, he landed a penalty ten minutes later.

Mike Bennett had the final say in front of a capacity crowd of 24,028, the second-largest ever Super League attendance.

"St Helens were on the front foot for long periods and we couldn't quite get back in the arm wrestle.

"The quality of our attack was poor. We built no pressure at all. We're very disappointed that we've not played as we practised. We had people doing away from the script that we set.

"Full credit to St Helens, who are a bit more used to playing with each other than we are at the moment."

"We set a goal to play with intensity over 80 minutes and we did that. It was probably our most enthusiastic and energetic display of the season.

"Wigan still managed to cut us up but we got back and showed commitment and pride in keeping our line intact.

"Obviously the key in big games is strength off the bench and once again our four boys played tremendously well."

Wigan: Withers, Calderwood, Bailey, Vaealiki, Richards, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Paleaaesina, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: Ashton, Millard, O'Carroll, Hansen.

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Fozzard, Cunningham, Cayless, Gilmour, Sculthorpe, Wilkin.
Replacements: Roby, Graham, Bennett, Fa'asavalu.

Referee: A Klein (London)