St Helens set for Old Trafford showdown

The veteran scrum-half made his mark on his final appearance at Knowsley Road as Saints overcame their arch rivals to earn the right to meet defending champions Leeds at Old Trafford next Saturday in a repeat of the 2007 and 2008 finals.

It was fitting the 33-year-old Long should have a say in the biggest Saints-Wigan derby for five years, having revealed in his controversial autobiography that he had rejected the chance to rejoin Wigan for 2010.

Saints made a dream start when Kyle Eastmond shrugged off the attempted tackle of Sam Tomkins to get Francis Meli over for the game's first try in only the second minute.

All eyes were on Long and he demonstrated his unheralded defensive prowess to deny Pat Richards after he was released by full-back Cameron Phelps. That try was disallowed by video referee Ian Smith, who ruled in favour of the visitors on 23 minutes when centre George Carmont romped over after the ball had eluded both Richards and St Helens winger Ade Gardner from Tomkins' high kick.

Richards added the simple goal to edge his side into a 6-4 lead but Wigan looked fragile on their right-hand edge and Meli thought he had scored a second try, only to be denied by slow-motion replays which showed a hand in touch.

The pressure eventually paid off when Long squeezed his way to the line two minutes before the break for Saints' second try and Eastmond kicked a first goal.

Saints extended their lead on 49 minutes. Substitute Paul Clough was held up over the line but there was no stopping Meli when Long's pass found the strong-running Samoan in space on the wing.

The Saints defence held firm until 10 minutes from the end when second rower Joel Tomkins broke clear from his own half and Carmont was in suppport to get Richards racing for the corner. With defenders closing in, Richards opted to kick to the corner and won the race to get the touch.

However, Richards could not add the goal and Saints held their nerve in an exciting finish to hold onto their lead.