MANCHESTER: A sickening act of violence in the Grand Final shaped and disfigured a dramatic Super League triumph for St Helens over their fiercest rivals Wigan at Old Trafford on Saturday.

As Saints' fans celebrated their team's long-awaited 14-6 victory, Wigan's prop forward Ben Flower was left to reflect ruefully on a moment of stupidity and brutality which saw him become the first man to be sent off in a Grand Final after 123 seconds.

Welshman Flower punched Saints five-eighth Lance Hohaia in the face and then, as the New Zealand international lay dazed on the floor, kneeled over his helpless victim and struck him flush to the head again.

The incident, which TV replays suggested could have been sparked by Hohaia's earlier forearm smash on Flower, prompted a melee between players from both sides.