Wigan survive late scare to take honours as bad blood spills over in grudge match

By the Editorial Team · Monday, July 6, 2026

Wigan Warriors narrowly defeated St Helens 16-14 in a fiercely contested Super League match at the Magic Weekend, with St Helens' captain missing a last-minute kick to tie the game. The intense rivalry and multiple injuries, including several head injury assessments, underscored the match's physicality and may prompt a disciplinary review of several on-field incidents.

Wigan Warriors edged out St Helens 16-14 in a tense and physical Super League match on Sunday, held at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium during the first Magic Weekend event. The closely fought game featured a dramatic late twist when St Helens captain Jackson Hastings was given a chance to level the score with a kick after a successful Captain’s Challenge, but his attempt missed, allowing Wigan to hold on for victory.

The match was marked by a series of injuries and confrontations that underscored the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs. Wigan’s Nathan Lowe sustained a serious leg injury in the first half after being dragged into touch by multiple St Helens players. Lowe subsequently fainted on the sideline and was stretchered off, raising concerns about his condition. Meanwhile, several St Helens players—including Owen Dagnall, Joe Shorrocks, Daryl Clark, and Alex Walmsley—were all forced from the field for head injury assessments, highlighting the physical intensity of the game.

Tensions boiled over repeatedly throughout the contest, beginning within the first 30 seconds with an early confrontation. The referees issued three yellow cards during the match, two of which were shown to St Helens full-back Jack Welsby for his involvement in incidents that further inflamed the rivalry. The charged atmosphere reflected the simmering bad blood between the sides that has built over recent months, particularly following their previous clash on Good Friday. After that match, Wigan coach Matt Peet accused St Helens of having “lost their identity” due to the manner of their win, adding a layer of acrimony.

Despite trailing by two points for much of the game and facing significant physical setbacks, Wigan managed to hold their nerve in the closing stages. The result allowed Matt Peet’s team to secure crucial league points while maintaining their edge over their fierce rivals in a match that will likely require the Super League’s disciplinary panel to review several contentious incidents and address the disciplinary issues arising from the fierce contest.

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