St Helens (7/4 to win Grand Final) coach Kristian Woolf was delighted with the way his side acquitted themselves during their emphatic 26-2 victory at rivals Wigan Warriors in the Betfred Super League on Friday.
In what was a repeat of last season’s Grand Final, it was defending champions St Helens that once again came out on top, with Regan Grace, Lewis Dodd, Mark Percival and Alex Walmsley all running in tries.
Harry Smith kicked Wigan’s only points on what was a disappointing night for the Warriors in front of their home supporters at the DW Stadium, with ill-discipline also costing Adrian Lam’s side, as they lost second row Willie Isa to the sin bin during the second period.
For St Helens, the victory has seen them close the gap on Betfred Super League leaders Catalans Dragons at the top of the standings, and Woolf was particularly impressed by how his side responded from last week’s disappointing home defeat to Castleford Tigers.
“It was exactly the response (to losing to Castleford) we wanted,” Woolf told reporters after the game. “We didn’t play to our standards last week but I was really happy and proud of the way we turned up tonight.
“Right from the kick-off we started with terrific intensity and showed really good discipline.”
Super League’s Rivals Round will continue with two further matches on Saturday, starting with a Humberside derby between Hull FC and Hull KR at the MKM Stadium (Hull FC 8/15, Hull KR 7/4, Tie 20/1 – Match Winner 80 Mins).
Both sides are chasing a place in the playoffs, with KR looking in particularly good form following a run of eight wins from their last 12 fixtures, including last week’s 26-14 victory over Wigan.
Following the conclusion of that game, there will be a West Yorkshire derby between Castleford and Wakefield Trinity at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle (Castleford 1/4, Wakefield 10/3, Tie 25/1 – Match Winner 80 Mins).
Both sides will be buoyed by impressive results last time out, with Cas having gained revenge over St Helens for their Challenge Cup final defeat, while Trinity ended a run of five-straight defeats by getting the better of Warrington Wolves.
