Wigan really using their outside backs well to give the forwards a break, They're gaining good metres too.

Looked as though one move was going to run aground, so the astute Morgan Escare pops over a one-pointer. Just nudging the scoreboard along, to Saints frustrations.

Saints make a real boo-boo at the play-the-ball. Matty Smith played it to no-one, then blocked off Michael McIlorum's attempts to get the loose ball.

Penalty to touch. Wigan within 10... Saints come up with the ball after a sloppy Wigan pass.

Image source, Getty Images

This is a really interesting stage of the game. Still open, still anyone's game.

Do Saints go for broke? Do they conserve energy - down to 12 of course - and try to rally late on?

Wigan don't NEED to do anything special with their lead but with any chance to put the hammer down against their rivals - the fans will certainly demand it.

Allen Rooney
BBC Radio Merseyside

Image source, Getty Images

I've been down to the press room at half-time and after seeing the replays everyone is agreed that Saints have been harshly done to there because Kyle Amor's tackle was chest high and his arm bounced up off the ball.

A yellow card would have been acceptable but a red was harsh.

When I first saw it live I thought it was high but after seeing a replay I thought it was a yellow card at best.

Morgan Escare's conversion is good. Wigan restore the six point cushion.

Best and worst of Saints - great try then cough the ball up off the restart. Wigan scrum. 20 away.

Right. Well-earned break. Breathless first 40.

St Helens will field the ball off the kick-off. Six points in it.

Here we go.

Image source, SWPIX.COM

He's the man whose boot has St Helens on the board, England centre Mark Percival is also the man who signed a four-year deal this week, a big bit of business for the Red Vee.

Percival, 22, was a bright spot in England's 2016 Four Nations campaign, scoring against Scotland for his first international Test try.

"I love this club. I have been here since I was 12 years old and I want to help it win more trophies. That is my aim," he said.

This half-time score will be hurting him.

Image source, SWPIX.COM

It's still early days in Super League of course, although we're already more than a third of the way through the regular 23 rounds of the campaign, and it's the new guard who are topping the table.

Castleford, who play Wakefield in a good old-fashioned West Yorkshire derby at the Jungle, lead the way; with a much-improved Salford just behind in second - they play Leigh for their own local bragging rights.

Leeds and Hull in third and four go head-to-head at the KCOM Stadium to complete the four game programme for the day.

Ray French
BBC Radio Merseyside

Saints have done a really good job defensively but they can't get out in attack.

They've not got through a set of six in attack in the last 20 minutes.

They've also given too many penalties away and they need to cut that out.

One try, one red card, a whole heap of incident. Wigan lead at the break but St Helens deserve huge credit for their defensive mettle.

Kyle Amor's sending off for a high shot on Liam Marshall didn't quite light the touchpaper in this derby, but it might well have swung it.

Mark Percival's penalty goal and some resolute defence have kept St Helens in the game, but Wigan have banged and banged and banged on the door.

They did cross through Joe Burgess from a George Williams kick, while Morgan Escare tacked on the extra four points with two goals.

All to play for.

Wigan fail to find touch. Brilliant work by Regan Grace - again! Kept it the field of play.

Then the home side are offside at the play-the-ball and then Saints knock on.

Scrappy end to the half.

Morgan Escare clips it through. Smart. It's a converted score lead now.

Wigan might live to rue the possession and field position they've had but without the additional points so far. They've one try to show for it.

Penalty given away by Zeb Taia, sloppy at the ruck that.

Wigan aiming up at the sticks.

How are they standing firm?! Wigan and George Williams tried to go on the outside but Saints held their line, and as the ball went wide to Liam Marshall, he was shepherded out.

Defenders are often told - the touchline is your friend, it was Saints' there.

The energy is with Wigan. The momentum is with Wigan. Saints look shattered. They are still only four points behind.

Matty Smith smacks the ball away from a third drop out of the half.

Saints somehow survive again but with the ball back, they're so lateral they can't get forward.

Matty Smith sends up a skyscraping kick to clear.

Michael McIlorum welcomed back after 14 months by Wigan's fans. Great moment for him.