Receiving the ball on the fifth sort out large out on the fitting as Saints defended a 3rd straight set of six, final season’s Man of Metal tried his luck with a cheeky grubber kick.
It not solely nutmegged Makinson, nevertheless it left him flat-footed as French had the tempo to win the race and contact down – confirmed by the video referee.
Harry Smith simply failed together with his inswinging left-foot kick from the fitting touchline because it curled in properly solely to bounce off the fitting upright.
However issues started to unwind for Wigan with the pink card.
A regalvanised Saints pushed ahead in a dramatic finale and went forward 9 minutes from time.
Lewis Dodd hung up a excessive left-foot bomb to the fitting flank and winger Makinson timed his leap good to brilliantly catch and rating.
Jonny Lomax put the conversion large however, of their closing assault two minutes from time, Hurrell barrelled his means over to ship Saints high of the Tremendous League desk.
It not solely ended Wigan’s unbeaten six-game begin to the season in all competitions, it was a primary defeat for the world membership champions since their Problem Cup semi-final defeat by Hull KR eight months in the past – and it additionally ended that 15-game Tremendous League successful run courting again to 7 July final season after they misplaced at Wakefield.
St Helens head coach Paul Wellens:
“We did not count on something completely different. There’s a ferocity and chaos to those video games. I do not wish to play in opposition to groups who’re numerically deprived – I really like 13 in opposition to 13.
“When feelings are operating excessive due to the significance of the sport to each groups, it typically comes right down to the best margins.
“French’s attempt was a kick within the tooth as a result of we had been defending beautifully however our response was actually good.
“Tommy Makinson has been probably the greatest wingers, if not the very best, in Tremendous League for a very long time however what I beloved about was that defensively each he and Konrad Hurrell had been glorious.”
Wigan head coach Matt Peet:
“Clearly we’re dissatisfied to lose any sport, however significantly on a Good Friday, as a result of it means so much to all our supporters.
“It was doubtlessly an awesome day for them, and we have not fairly delivered. However underlying that’s some satisfaction in sure points of our efficiency. We had been fairly good for big elements.
“I get why the pink card was given. He’s in a tough place and he is carrying the ball at 100 miles an hour, so I’ve received no large gripes with it.
“I’ve not watched it in actually shut element, however you at all times know after they keep down and so they take a look at it, there’s an opportunity.”
St Helens: Welsby; Makinson, Hurrell, Percival, Bennison; Lomax, Dodd; Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Whitley, Sironen, Knowles.
Interchanges: Mata’utia, Batchelor, Mbye, Wingfield, Davies.
Wigan: Subject; Miski, Keighran, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Byrne, O’Neill, Thompson, Isa, Farrell, Ellis.
Interchanges: Mago, Dupree, Leeming, Nsemba, Hill.
Sin-bin: Dupree (29).
Despatched off: Byrne (64).
Referee: Chris Kendall.