Round 23
St Helens 10 d. Wigan Warriors 6

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Eastmond denies unlucky Wigan historic Knowsley Road win
Sat August 1, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Kyle Eastmond won his battle of the 20-year-olds with Sam Tomkins as St Helens snatched a thrilling win over rivals Wigan Warriors.

Saints scrum-half Eastmond touched down with two minutes remaining as the engage Super League leaders denied Wigan a first win at Knowsley Road for six years.

Wigan had looked like holding on after Tomkins' try seconds before the half-time hooter, coupled with Pat Richards' goal, had given them a slender 6-4 lead.

Tomkins was outstanding in attack and defence throughout an epic rain-soaked contest. But Eastmond produced the stronger finish to end the Warriors' five-match winning run.

Saints went into the game without a host of senior players - including Sean Long, Jason Cayless, James Roby and Maurie Fa'asavalu - and missed Keiron Cunningham for a large spell with an apparent injury.

Yet tellingly, the hooker was on the field as the hosts produced the strong spells at the beginning and end that ultimately proved crucial.

Handling conditions were difficult in the rain, and Wigan were presented with an early opportunity after Ade Gardner failed to claim a Thomas Leuluai kick.

Wigan spread play all the way across the line, but the chance was lost as Amos Roberts overran a Cameron Phelps pass.

Despite the weather, Saints played at their usual tempo and claimed the lead after 10 minutes as a Paul Wellens kick deflected off Leuluai and sat up for Matt Gidley to score.

Leuluai, who had been sliding in to cut out the play, went close to responding with a try moments later - but knocked on close to the line.

Tomkins almost found a way through the Saints defence as he chased his own kick. But Wellens, showing no signs of discomfort from a broken hand, calmly defused the situation.

George Carmont then knocked on after Wigan opted to run a penalty, but Saints also enjoyed a good spell of possession towards the end of the half.

Chris Flannery was stopped just short after one strong run, and Leuluai cheekily nipped in to steal the ball from Gidley at the play-the-ball.

Wigan suffered a blow as Darrell Goulding was helped off after hurting himself in a tackle, and Cunningham had earlier limped off for Saints.

The hosts had a let-off when Mark Flanagan found a gap but failed to find Tomkins with his pass.

The hosts did not heed the warning, however, because Francis Meli spilled a Leuluai kick - and Tomkins pounced on the stroke of half-time. Richards added the goal to put the Warriors ahead.

Saints started the second half with purpose as Jake Emmitt and Eastmond both got within inches of the Wigan line.

Cunningham also made a welcome return to the field as Saints looked to force their way back ahead.

Yet Wigan remained firm and enjoyed more good possession.

One counter-attack sparked by a Roberts break and a Tomkins charge almost got through, and Harrison Hansen was stopped short.

Saints withstood a heavy spell of pressure and got some relief after Phelps knocked on from an Eastmond bomb.

Eastmond then drove to the line and won a penalty, but Saints declined the chance to level the scores with 13 minutes remaining and ran from the set-piece.

That proved costly, as Lee Gilmour knocked on with the line at his mercy.

Saints came again, with an Eastmond kick bouncing dangerously behind the line, but Tomkins got back.

Yet just as Wigan had the finish line in sight, Eastmond broke through a tackle and slid over - despite attention from Paul Prescott.

He then added the goal to secure a famous a win.

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