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'Staggering': Sport world in shock after 'unbelievable' moment

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·3-min read
St Helens' star Tommy Makinson hit the post with a drop-goal attempt (pictured left) before Jack Welsby (pictured right) scored a try.
St Helens' star Tommy Makinson hit the post with a drop-goal attempt (pictured left) before Jack Welsby (pictured right) collected the ball and scored the winning try. (Image: @SuperLeague)

St Helens have scored an unbelievable try with the last play of the game to win the Super League grand final against fierce rivals Wigan 8-4.

The lowest-scoring final in Super League history had a scarcely believable ending when Saints’ Tommy Makinson went for a 35m drop goal to steal the win as the clock ticked past the 80-minute mark.

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But the sweetly struck kick hit the top right post and bounced down, before another bounce sent the ball hurtling towards the dead ball.

Wigan’s Bevan French readjusted in an attempt to bat the ball dead, but a charging Jack Welsby stole the ball and slammed it down just centimetres before the dead ball line to claim the grand final.

The remarkable end to the match prompted Wigan players to sink to their knees as St Helens celebrated a 15th league title, going back to back for the first time in 20 years.

Fans on social media couldn’t quite believe the incredible ending.

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Trailing 2-0 at halftime to ex-Penrith Panthers star Lachlan Coote's goal at an empty KCOM Stadium in Hull, Wigan scored their first points when Jake Bibby went over in the right corner in the 65th minute.

The conversion struck the bar but Coote successfully kicked another penalty to lock the scores at 4-4.

Wigan missed another chance to add two points when Zak Hardaker's penalty kick from just inside St Helens' half fell narrowly short and wide.

Saints immediately went down the other end and snatched victory in the most cruel of ways as far as Wigan were concerned.

Zeb Taia of St Helens celebrates victory on the final play during the Betfred Super League Grand Final between Wigan Warriors and St Helens at KCOM Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Hull, England.
Zeb Taia of St Helens celebrates victory on the final play during the Betfred Super League Grand Final between Wigan Warriors and St Helens at KCOM Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Hull, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Wigan, whose captain Sean O'Loughlin was playing the final game of his distinguished 19-year professional career, was looking for a third Super League title in five years, and a record-extending 23rd overall.

"It was unbelievable to be part of but it's a shame how it ended," O'Loughlin said. "It's gutting but that's sport."

Instead it was the perfect send-off for retiring St Helens prop and former NRL Bulldogs star James Graham.

"You couldn't have scripted this," Graham said.

"I'm genuinely moved."

with AAP

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