Nigel Wood: 'St Helens showed great character'

Super League chief executive Nigel Wood has praised St Helens for showing the character needed to win yesterday's Grand Final.

The Saints prevailed 14-6 at Old Trafford in a fiery encounter against rivals Wigan Warriors, who saw Ben Flower become the first man ever to be dismissed in the showpiece final following his punch on Lance Hohaia.

"The 2014 Grand Final was the most spectacular show the competition has ever staged and I would like to thank all the fans who played their full part in making it such a memorable occasion," Wood told reporters.

"I would also like to congratulate St Helens on their victory; it has been a difficult year for the club with injuries that have tested their resources to the limit but the depth of character they showed to be crowned champions is a credit to everyone concerned.

"Like St Helens, Wigan are a team packed full of home grown talent who made a full contribution to a match that will live long in the memory. Whilst a lot of focus has inevitably been on the incident in the second minute, I think it's important that we are able to celebrate what was a fantastic piece of sporting theatre."

Warriors prop Flower later apologised for his double punch on Hohaia.