Shevington's Jack Welsby "forgiven" by Wigan mates for his St Helens heroics!

Jack Welsby has been "forgiven" by his Wigan mates for ruining their Grand Final!
Jack Welsby and Saints coach Kristian WoolfJack Welsby and Saints coach Kristian Woolf
Jack Welsby and Saints coach Kristian Woolf

The Shevington teenager spent the weekend coming to terms with his new-found fame following his last-gasp heroics in Friday's title-decider.

The centre pounced after the siren to snatch an 8-4 victory against his hometown club.

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Welsby, 19, is a huge Latics fan and while he surrendered his support of the Warriors when he signed for St Helens, many of his mates still cheer for Wigan.

"I think all the Wigan pals are OK with it," he said.

"I was on the phone to one of my Wigan mates on Saturday and he said when he'd seen someone score for Saints he was gutted.

"But then when he realised it was me, he was celebrating with everyone. I think I've been forgiven!"

Welsby was a member of the England academy side, with Morgan Smithies and Harry Smith, which beat the Australian Schoolboys two years ago and has been known in league circles as one of the game's rising stars.

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But his actions last Friday night thrust him into the limelight, with boxing's Tony Bellew and St Helens fan Johnny Vegas among those hailing him on social media.

"I'm a massive Latics fan, and I was a Wigan fan growing up," said the ex-Shevington Sharks junior.

"My mum has always been a Saints fan, but my dad and grandad supported Wigan. Since I've been at Saints, though, he's just a 'me' fan, if that makes sense."

He chased a drop-goal attempt by Tommy Makinson - another Wiganer - which ricocheted off the woodwork and into the ingoal.

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"I thought Tommy had got it, I was just running aimlessly in truth," he said.

"Then it hit the post and dropped down and I thought, 'Oh my God, that's perfect.' It was like it was meant to be.

"I wasn't 100 per cent sure I was onside or put the ball down. I was confident I was there or thereabouts.

"The only thing I remember after that is seeing Tommy Leuluai running back with his head in his hands and thinking, 'Oh my God, I've got a chance here.'"

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Welsby's team-mate Alex Walmsley is to undergo knee surgery after playing with a torn cartilage in Friday's game, St Helens have revealed.

And Wigan suffered injury problems during the contest, with Salford-bound Joe Burgess breaking his jaw and Oliver Gildart suffering suffered a broken thumb. Both played on.

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