St Helens gained revenge for their Good Friday defeat with a 16-8 victory over Wigan at the DW Stadium, moving three points clear at the top of the Super League. Tom Makinson scored two tries, while Paul Wellens added his sixth try in five matches as Saints overcame the early loss of scrum-half Luke Walsh to a back strain.
Wigan, missing seven first-choice players through injury and suspension, took the lead through Joe Burgess after eight minutes. However, Saints levelled through Makinson, who touched down after a superb one-handed pass from Mark Flanagan. With Walsh off the field, Jon Wilkin moved into the halves, and Saints dominated the remainder of the first half.
Wellens put Saints ahead four minutes into the second half, gathering a Wilkin kick that Burgess failed to claim. Wigan equalised through Josh Charnley, but Mark Percival's penalty and Makinson's second try, created by Mose Masoe, sealed the win. Charnley scored a late second try for Wigan, but Saints held on.
The victory was built on a strong defensive display and clinical finishing, with Saints showing they are not reliant on Walsh. Wigan's Matty Smith missed all three conversion attempts, while Percival landed two of three for Saints.
