St Helens lost a close encounter in the Super League Grand Final by 16-12 against Wigan Warriors.
A tight game throughout was decided by eight minutes of second-half quality from Wigan, but Phoebe Hook gave Saints hope with her try five minutes before the end.
Wigan scored three tries to turn an 8-4 deficit into a 16-8 lead in the second half, with Anna Davies scoring and Molly Jones crossing the line twice.
St Helens weren’t able to claw the game back, despite ensuring a nervy finish.
Wigan thought they had taken an early lead through Grace Banks as she managed to race away from tackles from half way into St Helens territory. But the try was called back for obstruction during the run.
Wigan shored-up their attack as the game wore on, but that was met with a strong defensive effort from St Helens including a goal line stop and then a try saving challenge from Hook.
Wigan finally broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute through Davies. The ball was worked to the right-hand side from a scrum as the Wigan right wing avoided the efforts of Rachael Woosey and Dani McGifford for the score.
Isabel Rowe missed the conversion, and this became a theme of the game for both sides.
It wasn’t long before St Helens answered however.
McGifford raced in on her own for the try on the 27 minute mark, when a dropped kick was worked from right to left. Faye Gaskin missed the conversion.
With three minutes to go until the break St Helens managed to break down the Wigan defence. The ball was played down to Hook who worked her way in for the try. St Helens took an 8-4 lead into half time.
Saints take the lead just before half-time ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/s83R4jR50G
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) October 5, 2025
Wigan came out of half time with confidence and that showed from the 50th minute.
A goal line dropout after 53 minutes saw Wigan collect the ball and run left, finding Jones for her first of the night.
Five minutes later Jones scored again, as she managed to cut towards the inside and give Wigan the lead again.
Things went from bad to worse for St Helens as at the 61st minute Wigan managed to work the ball from the middle to Davies, who broke away with free air to make it 16-8, and still without a conversion made at this point.
St Helens were given a late lifeline with five minutes to go, when after a scramble to work the ball down the right hand side, Hook moved the ball down the right touchline before cutting inside and powering through three tackles for the try and a four-point game.
In front of another record-breaking attendance however, St Helens just came up short, and had to watch Wigan claim the title.
Wigan Warriors: Grace Banks, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson (C), Molly Jones, Ruby Hunter, Jenna Foubister, Izzy Rowe, Mary Coleman, Remi Wilson, Vicky Molyneux (C), Eva Hunter, Cerys Jones
Interchange: Shaniah Power, Emily Veivers, Carys Marsh, Mia-James Atherton
18th player: Jade Gregory-Haselden
Tries: Davies (21, 61), Jones (53, 58)
St Helens: Rebecca Rotheram, Pheobe Hook, Beri Salihi, Rachael Woosey, Dani McGifford, Jodie Cunningham (C), Faye Gaskin, Chantelle Crowl, Katie Mottershead, Shona Hoyle, Luci McColm, Emily Rudge, Caitlin Casey
Interchange: Zoe Harris, Vicky Whitfield, Naomi Williams, Erin McDonald
18th Player: Darcy Stott
Tries: McGifford (27), Hook (37, 75)
Referee: Tara Jones
