Paul Wellens hailed St Helens star Jack Welsby for learning to be patient - even when knowing he's so good.
The dynamic England full-back celebrated his 100th Saints appearance in style by inspiring an emphatic derby win over Wigan. He was involved in everything as Wellens’ side gained revenge for their Good Friday loss at DW Stadium. Ruthless Welsby scored two tries, created three more and also came up with a superb try-saving tackle on Warriors winger Abbas Miski. The battered visitors were sick of the sight of the gifted 22-year-old after he tormented them for 80 minutes.
But he wasn’t the only one as the champions chalked up a fifth successive win. Thunderous Tongan prop Agnatious Paasi rattled Wigan continually and Lewis Dodd’s deft touches picked them apart. Tommy Makinson (2), Paasi and Joe Batchelor scored their other tries, Makinson also slotting five goals as Saints rose up to fifth -and dumped their fierce foes from third to sixth.
Wellens enthused: “It was a big derby win and the way we went about our business was very impressive. I don’t feel comfortable signalling people out but Agnatious was fantastic, getting back to his best and, at 37, James Roby has done 70 minutes and kept going while everyone else is gasping for air. But we also saw tonight the quality Jack Welsby possesses. What I’ve liked in the last couple of weeks is he’s been really patient.
“Because he has this ability he has, he wants to go show how good he is straight away. But he's kept it simple and then when he gets an opportunity - more often than not - he nails it."
Wigan rang the changes after their embarrassing 46-22 Magic hammering by Catalans. Matt Peet switched Jai Field from stand-off to full-back with Bevan French going the other way. England centre Toby King was dropped to the bench with Iain Thornley recalled and hooker Sam Powell was axed. But none of it could prevent the Saints onslaught as they ran riot.
The hosts led 18-10 at the break after Welsby went over for his first try in the 38th minute. Moments before, he’d been arguing with England colleagues Jonny Lomax and Tommy Makinson after another move broke down. But then he took things upon himself by grubbering through for his side’s third try.
Paasi plundered over at the start of the second period before Welsby added his second off Dodd’s short pass and an excellent run from the evergreen James Roby. Next, Welsby produced a brilliant cut-out pass for Makinson to score his second try and there was no looking back. Welsby had got things started by slipping Joe Batchelor over in the third minute after Thornley’s spill.
Field responded when latching on to Harry Smith’s midfield chip, Smith slotting the first of his two goals. But Welsby came up with another pearl of a pass for Makinson to get in. And after Alex Walmsley spilled the restart, Welsby showed his defensive prowess, smashing Miski into the touch when he looked destined to score off French’s kick.
He roared into the grounded winger’s face as he celebrated but was left red-faced himself soon after when slipping trying to deal with another French kick, allowing the Aussie to score. But, even though Miski scored at the death, Welsby certainly had the last laugh. Peet conceded: “I don’t think we did ourselves justice. Saints were very good. At times we went toe to toe with them but they were far too powerful in the middle stints.”
