21 Years Ago.
26 December 2004.
Saints 17 Leigh 16.
A late Scott Moore drop goal saw Ian Millward’s side scrape a Boxing Day friendly after the snow was cleared to make the pitch playable.
There was a try on debut for big prop Paul Anderson, with Gaz Langley and Mike Bennett scoring the others.
30 Years Ago.
26 December 1995.
Wigan 58 Saints 4.
The last competitive Boxing Day game was a miserable affair with a youthful and depleted Saints side put to the sword in front of a 19.526 Central Park crowd.
The game saw the debut of Gareth Cunningham – son of Saints centre Eddie – at hooker. Simon Booth scored Saints’ only points with a try.
35 Years Ago.
26 December 1990.
Saints 15 Wigan 28.
It was more Boxing Day misery for Saints – although Wigan were helped by a couple of dubious forward pass tries.
Tries came from Phil Veivers and Paul Loughlin, the latter kicking three goals. Shane Cooper kicked a drop goal.
40 Years Ago.
26 December 1985.
Wigan 38 Saints 14.
Alex Murphy’s side were not in the game with tries from wing Kevin Meadows and Australian prop Gary Grienke’s only one for the club. Ross Conlon kicked three goals.
45 Years Ago.
26 December 1980.
Saints 11 Oldham 10.
With Wigan in Division 2, Saints had to play Oldham on Boxing Day – but they only just scraped a win with a late Mick Hope try.
Wingers Les Jones and Roy Mathias scored the others with Neil Holding kicking the goal. Only 4,163 turned out for the match – hard times.
50 Years Ago.
26 December 1975.
Wigan 12 Saints 12.
Les Jones and Geoff Pimblett scored Saints’ tries with the latter kicking one goal while Kel Coslett booted over two more.
55 Years Ago.
26 December 1970.
Saints 5 Wigan 12.
Wigan had control of this game from the first half, with Les Jones’ second half try to no avail.
70 Years Ago.
24 December 1955.
Saints 18 Oldham 7.
Saints beat the Roughyeds in a congested Christmas period with tries from Frank McCabe and Duggie Greenall. Austin Rhodes kicked six goals.