JUSTIN OFF THE MARK!
TWO-TRY Mark Percival gave St Helens new boss Justin Holbrook his first derby success with a late winner.
Holbrook’s Saints trailed 19-18 after Thomas Leuluai dropped his first ever goal for Wigan eight minutes from time.
But the England centre pinched Matty Smith’s high kick from Lewis Tierney’s grasp to go over.
Percival finished with 12 points after the champions had led 14-6, 18-12 and then 19-18.
After beating Hull FC 45-0 at Magic Weekend, Holbrook couldn’t have made a better start.
A minute’s silence preceded kick-off and both sets of fans were on their feet as George Williams kicked a penalty on the 22nd minute.
Spite
The second derby of the year didn’t lack intensity. But there was none of the spite of the Under-19s curtain-raiser that saw two players sent-off.
Wigan came from 6-0 down to lead 14-12 at half-time. Tom Davies’s try and a contentious Williams conversion cancelled out Ryan Morgan’s touch down and Percival goal.
Full-back Tierney grabbed a second score and Williams kicked two more goals to nudge Wigan 14-6 clear.
Saints struck back with French second-rower, Zeb Taia, quickest to react to Smith’s second try assist.
Centre Percival squandered a penalty chance to tie the scores.
But the England Test ace more than made amends after Joe Burgess punished Adam Swift’s fumble with a third Wigan try after 61 minutes.
And it was all square when Percival scythed through the visitors’ defence and then improved his own try 14 minutes from time.
Leuluai’s drop goal looked to have won it for Wigan until ‘Percy’ struck again late on. FANS have been offered free entry to Salford’s home match with Catalans tonight in the first major sporting event in Greater Manchester since the terror attack. Fans will be asked to make a donation to help those affected.