Sometimes, it is ok to hate Saints. That time is usually five minutes from the end of a match, when all is starting to look lost. You begin to wonder if the magic will come at all, or whether it just wasn't meant to be.
But isn't it a great feeling too?
In an era when Saints have had such unprecedented success against other sides in the league, especially against the old enemy, games have sometimes been taken for granted.
Not this time.
Eighty minutes in Scotland led to a sudden resurgence in derby day feeling. The same friendly banter pre match, but Wigan had confidence, and Saints nerves. The last time this was common place, Scully and Farrell were lining each other up.
Knowsley Road was electric. Two sets of fans who were charged up to the rafters. Voices were left red raw as the fans channelled their emotion and passion through to the players. They, in turn, channelled it into eighty minutes of full blooded play. A real war of attrition was unfolding before our eyes. Blood was shed, and for Darrell Goulding more than anyone, bodies were put on the line. The sight of his shoulder being forced back into place on the big screen led to fifteen thousand collectively wincing.
The game hung on one thing, and one thing alone. Defence. For all the effort either side put in in attack, a three score game means defences won. And to be fair to them, Wigan's defence was beyond superlatives. Even the most ardent Wigan fan would appreciate Saints won the territorial battles. Constantly repelling Saints' attacks. The rain, the casualties and the constant wave after wave, it was rugby league's version of trench warfare.
Going into the last ten minutes, both sides were visibly tiring. The heavy pitch and sheer intensity of the game sapped the players onto their reserve tanks.
But two players, predicted earlier in the week to be the key battle on the field, stood out. Kyle Eastmond and Sam Tomkins. Both showed how they can turn a game, Tomkins with his jinking runs and Eastmond with a true eye for a gap being just one example for each.
Both took plaudits. Tomkins gaining Sky's seal of approval with a nod for Man of the Match. But no doubt he would have traded it all in for the impact Kyle Eastmond left on the match.
With five minutes to go Saints were two points behind and declarations of "they don't want this" being passed around the ground. The remaining raspy voices were fading in their efforts to spur the team on as Wigan's defence looked almost water tight. The flickering floodlight on the Popular Side roof was becoming an all to poignant metaphor. But a crack appeared, and like he had tried all night, Kyle Eastmond found his way through, stumbling, slipping and sliding his way to the try line.
As he projected himself with his left arm, bouncing on toes turned into full blown jumping and hugging of whoever you could reach.
Even going to the video ref could not save the jubilation felt. It is great to do that to Warrington on a regular basis. Doing it to Wigan is a better feeling. It hurts then more!
There are times you hate Saints. But my word they don't half make up for it with heart stopping excitement and ecstasy. To quote Chris Joynt; "Never write off Saints."
