'Grand Final was a great game of footy', says St Helens boss

The score was locked 4-4 when Jack Welbsy pounced for the match-clinching try to defend Saints' Super League crowd.

And Woolf, in his first season as coach, said: "You don't expect a game to finish like that.

"It was a great game of footy, I'm not sure you'll get a better game of footy - and they had to take opportunities when they came.

"Both teams defended very well, we just had to keep plugging away and wait for our opportunities."

Woolf was surprised Wigan attempted a long-range penalty with less than two minutes to go, saying he expected them to kick for touch and pressure their line. Zak Hardaker was off-target and from that position Saints had a final crack and won in dramatic circumstances.

Woolf had special praise for match-winning teenager Welsby, a Shevington youngster and former Sharks junior.

"Jack deserves massive amount of credit, it was an outstanding play and I'm really proud of him," said Woolf. "He competed against a very good player in Zak Hardaker.

"He's a terrific player Jack. I;m not quite sure what his position is, he's a really talented kid and he works really hard at his game. I'm happy for him."