St Helens maintained their lead in the Super League with three wins from three in an exciting encounter with Leigh Leopards.
Both teams continued their feud from last season's Challenge Cup semi-final, with Lee's John Aciata being sin-binned after just 40 seconds.
Axiata was then injured, but the visitors stayed in touch as Zak Hardaker responded to Jack Welsby's try.
Saints increased their pressure in the second half, with Tommy Makinson scoring and Mark Percival converting a penalty.
Last season, these two teams faced off in three close and tense Lancashire derbies, with Leopards winning twice, including that intense semi-final on their way to Wembley glory.
The match resumed at the first whistle, with Axiata squeezing Sione Matautia's leg from below, leading to a scuffle between the players, with Axiata also facing Morgan Knowles.
The Saints forward was one of four players injured in Axiata's tackle in the semi-final, leading to a rule change by the RFL, but this time the Samoan player was sent to the sin bin.
Leigh defended stoically and attacked extensively with 12 men, but Saints had no intention of playing again after seeing Wigan Warriors end their four-game winning streak, and Matt Whitley looked to break the stalemate. sent Wellsby to
Brad Dwyer's incredible tackle denied Conrad Harrell's try and kept the score at 4-0 at half-time, making it their first attack of the second half.
Ben Nakbuwai made a successful half-break and Hardaker crashed out to equalize after Welsby thwarted Gareth O'Brien.
However, the Saints have shown strong signs of being a closer and more effective unit this season and have stepped up a gear to keep Lee winless this season.
Within three minutes, Harrell was at his best again, drawing four tacklers, evading offloads and forcing Lewis Dodd through a depleted defense.
He supported Makinson, with a post-to-post try that Percival easily converted and added a penalty to give his team a cushion.
Axiata finished the night on crutches with a calf strain, and Lee capped off a disappointing night with the loss of winger Tom Briscoe to a similar injury.
St Helens head coach Paul Wellens said:
[On John Asiata’s tackle] “I was a little surprised.
“Last year we were told that that tackle was not illegal and we had to accept it, but now we know it was illegal and the decision has been made. From my perspective and the team’s perspective, we just move forward.”
[On St Helens’ performance] “We thought we had guts during our periods.
“It never felt like it was going to really go well. We were rough at times and the conditions didn't help it.
“I didn't like the way the game went into the game. I think there was a feeling that the game was going to happen, but teams don't come here to lie down and have their bellies tickled. We have to understand that and take on the challenge. .
“I think we had our best elements tonight, but we have to be more consistent.”
Leigh head coach Adrian Lam told BBC Radio Manchester:
“Even though we didn't get two points, I was very proud of our courage tonight when so many things were against us.
“We hung in there and gave ourselves a chance to win with 15 minutes left.
[On Asiata’s tackle]: “His first contact looked like he was sliding in perfectly fine, but maybe he didn't finish at the best angle. But that's sport, mistakes happen.
“The evolution of this rule from last year is that a penalty is enough. You don't have to punish players to make points, just keep them on the field.”
“It looks like he tore his calf, but I don't know if being sent off played a role.''
St Helens: Wellsby, Makinson, Harrell, Percival, Bennison, Lomax, Dodd, Walmsley, Clark, Matautia, Whitley, Sironen, Knowles.
Interchange: Mbaye, Bell, Wingfield, Delaney.
Lee: O'Brien, Briscoe, Hardaker, Leutere, Charnley, Moylan, Lamb, Hughes, Dwyer, Mulhern, O'Donnell, Hulton, Axiata.
Interchange: Norman, Davis, Nakbuwai, Trout.
Sin bin: Axiata (1).
Referee: Liam Moore.
