Wigan 40 Saints 6: HAVE Saints got enough juice left in the tank or sufficient fit troops to choose from to mount a serious challenge to retain their Super League crown for the third successive year?

On this showing the answer would be a resounding no as the leg-weary Knowsley Roaders, missing their galaxy of stars, limped to another defeat and only a plucky second-half show stopped a 60-point mauling.

True, it was a meaningless game for Saints who went in the game knowing they would be finishing in fourth place regardless of the result.

Wigan, on the other hand, were vying with Bradford Bulls for top spot, and it showed with the home side opening up the Saints' defence almost at will to have 28 points on the board after 30 minutes.

The ease with which the big Warriors forwards made yards was in stark contrast to Saints, who sorely missed the injured David Fairleigh and Keiron Cunningham and the suspended Sonny Nickle up front.

Wigan, with Andrew Farrell, Terry Newton, David Furner and Adrian Lam to the fore, were dominant in the first half, but they were helped by some sloppy play from the visitors, whose failure to complete their sets of six was again the root of the problem.

After the game a subdued Saints coach Ian Millward said: "Our first half completion rate was something like 40 per cent and it was halfway through the second half before we completed a set of six.

"I think Wigan played really well and the scoreboard reflected the pressure they applied to us. If you grabbed all the stats they would show that it was our attack that created pressure for our defence."

Saints did tighten up considerably towards the end of the first half and grabbed their only score of the game on the stroke of half-time when Paul Sculthorpe touched down from Tommy Martyn's angled grubber.

There were the odd shreds of comfort to delight the Fun Bus led vocal Saints fans, whose constant singing in the face of defeat gave their silent Wigan counterparts a lesson in being true supporters.

A particular plus was Mick Higham, playing his first game back since having his cheekbone fractured in July, who brought some much-needed pace to the Saints attack when he came on at half time. In a backline robbed of fast men, the young hooker may be worth a gamble at number seven for the sudden-death phase.

His 49th minute break had the Wigan defence in pieces and had Leon Felton chosen a better option than to go down the narrow blindside from acting half back, Saints may have come away with something.

As it was the Aussie trialist was bundled into touch by ex-Saint Gary Connolly, who has hit an impressive run of form of late and, although it would sound unpalatable to those who never forgave him for leaving Knowsley Road, he may be worth looking at for next season should Kevin Iro decide against staying on.

Despite the mauling, there were still great displays from full-back Paul Wellens who twice nailed Lam in one-on-one situations. There were also good stints from Dave McConnell and skipper Chris Joynt.

If it is any consolation to Saints, this Saturday's opponents Leeds also took a hiding, against table toppers Bradford.

From here on in it's sudden-death, but the biggest battle Saints face will be getting the bodies off the treatment slab and onto the park. If they can overcome that obstacle, you would not bet against the team with the big game experience giving it an almighty crack in the play-offs, starting on Saturday night.