Wigan thrash Saints in opening Super Four game

Wigan Warriors Dominate St Helens in Super Four Debut

Ninoda.com – The Wigan Warriors have preserved their perfect start to the 2026 campaign with a commanding victory over local rivals St Helens in the inaugural Super Four fixture. The defending champions secured a comprehensive 44-6 triumph at the BrewDog Stadium, extending their dominance over the Saints to five consecutive wins across the past twelve months.

Wigan’s latest victory follows a memorable 54-6 Challenge Cup final demolition at Wembley, further cementing their status as the team to surpass in the Betfred Women’s Super League. The result also highlights the achievement of Anna Davies, who stands as one of the competition’s joint top try scorers this season.

A Dominant First Half Performance

Wigan established control from the opening set when a high kick into the sunlight was dropped by young Saints full-back Liv Leach, allowing Ellise Derbyshire to collect and score. The momentum continued as Eva Hunter produced a stunning individual effort, receiving possession inside her own half and combining speed, strength, and agility to cross the line.

Compounding St Helens’ difficulties, Leach was forced from the field after the early exchanges. By the fifteenth minute, Wigan had built an insurmountable lead with Davies touching down in the corner following an exquisite overhead kick from Izzy Rowe. Derbyshire and Hunter both added their second tries of the match, though Rowe’s conversion accuracy kept the margin slightly tighter than the scoreline suggested.

St Helens’ Lone Response Falls Short

St Helens managed to secure possession and build repeated phases of play, with Luci McColm crossing just before the interval for a late try. However, the visitors’ hopes of mounting a serious challenge were extinguished when Molly Jones scored on her return from a knee injury, re-establishing Wigan’s control.

The final quarter proved decisive as Remi Wilton, Jenna Foubister, and Mary Coleman all crossed for Wigan. Denis Betts’ side demonstrated they had rediscovered the form that carried them through their previous encounter nearly four weeks earlier.

Understanding the New Super Four Format

The 2026 season has introduced a revamped Super Four structure designed to increase competitive intensity. Following seven rounds where every team faced each other once, the league has divided into top and bottom sections with all accumulated points carried forward.

The next six weekends will feature home-and-away matches against the three other teams within each section. The top-placed side earns automatic qualification for the Grand Final, while second and third positions enter a play-off to determine the final participant. The fourth-placed team will be eliminated from title contention.

In the Shield competition, teams finishing between fifth and eighth after the initial seven matches will see the lowest-ranked side contest a promotion play-off against the National Championship victor for the remaining Super League place in 2027.

Match Details and Team Lineups

The Super Four opener took place on Saturday, 8 August, with other fixtures scheduled for the weekend including Leigh Leopards against Featherstone Rovers at 13:00 BST and Leeds Rhinos versus York Valkyrie at 14:00. Huddersfield Giants also face Barrow Raiders at 14:00 on Sunday, 9 August.

St Helens Team: Leach; Rotheram, Hardcastle, Woosey, Hook; Drescher, Gaskin; Hoyle-Holdsworth, Casey, Rudge, Travis, McColm, Cunningham. Interchanges: Harris, Whitfield, Mottershead, McDonald.

Wigan Team: Banks; Davies, Salihi, M Jones, Derbyshire; Foubister, Rowe; Coleman, Wilton, Sams, Hunter, C Jones, Williams. Interchanges: Marsh, Atherton, Dainton, Gentles.

Match Officials: Referee Denton Arnold oversaw the contest.

Scoring Summary: St Helens scored one try through McColm with Gaskin converting. Wigan’s nine tries were credited to Derbyshire (2), Hunter (2), Davies, M Jones, Wilton, Foubister, and Coleman, with Rowe kicking four goals.