URSWICK teenager Greg Richards insists getting his hands on the Super League Grand Final trophy with St Helens was the biggest achievement of his short career to date.

The 19-year-old prop, a former Ulverston Victoria High School pupil, climbed off the bench to help the Langtree Park outfit end their eight year championship drought with a hard-fought 14-6 victory over fierce rivals Wigan Warriors.

With family sitting among the 70,102 crowd at Old Trafford, Richards - a Barrow Island RL product - admits nerves featured prominently while waiting for the nod from coach Nathan Brown.

"I was pretty nervous sat on the bench but as soon as I got on the field and successfully made my first carry it was just a case of treating it as a normal game and trying to forget about the occasion," said Richards, who has made 12 appearances in the famous red and white shirt this season, including in both their play-off victories over Castleford Tigers and Catalan Dragons.

"It is without doubt my biggest achievement by far," he added. "It was a bit of a blur to be honest because it all went so quickly."

Wigan's Ben Flower was sent off after just two minutes for punching Saints scrum-half Lance Hohaia but the Warriors twice went ahead in the first 40 minutes through a Matty Smith penalty and a Joe Burgess try on the hooter.

Saints responded with 12 unanswered points in the second half with tries from the departing Sia Soliola and winger Tommy Makinson.

Saints had lost five Grand Finals since their victory over Hull eight years ago and Richards, who made his debut away at Castleford in 2013 after impressing in the club's under 19s set up, says the fans played their part in the win.

"Their support was absolutely fantastic," he said. "They have been behind us all season and it really makes a difference. It was amazing being part of history."

Richards played for England Under 18s at the age of 16 and won Forward of the Year on Saints Academy's unbeaten tour of Australia in 2011.

In June this year he signed a four-and-a-half year contract extension keeping him tied to the Saints until 2018 and hopes this year's break into the first team will act as a springboard as he looks to advance his career.

"I can hopefully kick on now, get more appearances under my belt and establish myself in the first team," said Richards.