Played: Sunday, 28th September 1997 at Old Trafford, Manchester
Crowd: 33,389
Result: Wigan Warriors 33 defeated st Helens 20
POINT SCORERS:
St Helens
Tries: Derek McVey, Paul Newlove, Paul Anderson, Karle Hammond
Goals: Sean Long (2)
Wigan Warriors
Tries: Andy Johnson, Jason Robinson, Kris Radlinski, Andy Farrell, Simon Haughton
Goals: Andy Farrell (6)
Field Goals: Nigel Wright
Sent Off:
Sin Bin:
COMMENTS
Farrell extended the Warriors lead with a penalty on 25 mins. Moments later Farrell dribbled the ball through and caused pandemonium in the Saints' defence and Jason Robinson leaped over Chris Joynt for a touchdown. The Saints hit back almost immediately, when Keiron Cunningham off-loaded in a tackle, to send Paul Newlove on a 35 metre unopposed run to the line. 14-8 to the Warriors at the halftime interval.
An exchange of penalty goals in the opening minutes of the second half and a field goal from Nigel Wright, took the score to 17-10. Then Andy Farrell made a strong run through the St Helens defence and this set up a cross-field passing movement that had Kris Radlinski crossing in the corner. Wigan were running rampant at this stage and turned defence into attack, via a break by Simon Haughton, that Andy Farrell finished off. 20 minutes still to play and the Warriors were 27-10 in the lead.
Simon Haughton crossed for another try for Wigan, before the Saints hit back with two late consolation tries, from Paul Anderson and Karle Hammond, to give a 33-20 final scoreline.
So, Wigan keep up a remarkable record of having won at least one major trophy in each of the last fourteen seasons. Man of the Match and winner of the Harry Sunderland Trophy, was Wigan's captain, Andy Farrell.
Man of the Match was Huddersfield's stand-off Craig Weston, who is the subject of great interest from St Helens and other notable displays came from veteran full back Phil Vievers and second row, Dave King. The Sharks team will need much strengthening, if the are to make any impact on Super League next season, with a half back pairing that has some attacking flair, being a top priority.
Wigan blitzed St Helens in the opening quarter of this game, but despite crossing the line four times, only one try was allowed. That one went to Andy Johnson, who followed up a kick for Andy Farrell. Very much against the run of play, the Saints scored a try through Derek McVey, after the video judge ruled a suspicious double movement OK.
The afternoon at Old Trafford commenced with the Divisional Premiership Final, between Huddersfield Giants and Hull Sharks. The game was dominated by the two defences, but Huddersfield clinched the spoils, with tries from Ali Davys and James Bunyan, either side of the halftime interval. Andy Cheetham scored another in the final minute, to give Huddersfield a 18-0 success.
©1997, Richard Bailey, Matthew Webb.