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Saints produced a magical last quarter to come from behind to beat Warrington 40-34.

With 25 minutes to go, Kevin Penny’s length of the field effort looked to have put Warrington one step in the next round, but your never-say-die Saints did the business.

With the clock ticking down, Willie Talau notched his second to put the Saints ahead, then Clough and Gilmour sealed Saints’ passage into the quarter finals.

Pre-game, Paul Wellens recovered from an ankle knock received in the game against Wigan and Maurie Fa’asavalu returned after a leg injury.

On the bench, Mike Bennett made way for Bryn Hargreaves.

For Warrington, Jon Clarke was missing because of a two match ban and Simon Grix made his return from injury on the bench. In a late change, Martin Gleeson was withdrawn because of illness to be replaced by Paul Johnson.

Chris Riley took his spot on the bench.

In muggy and sticky – but perfect – conditions, Warrington kicked off and Saints were immediately on the front foot. A strong set of six was backed up with a great touch finding kick from Long.

Warrington responded with a good set and a high kick which was taken by Gardner.

On six minutes Stuart Reardon hobbled off with what looked like an Achilles injury – replaced by Riley.

Gardner then took a high ball from Monaghan under pressure in his own in goal area.

And then seemingly Saints struck first. Cunningham created some space for Talau to almost go through. From the tackle, the ball was worked to Meli who chipped the ball up to himself but was adjudged to have pushed over Riley as he grabbed and grounded the ball.

From the penalty, Warrington worked their way up field – thanks to another penalty – and Morley bulldozed over. Hicks with the extras.

Hicks then extended Warrington’s lead with a penalty in front of the sticks.

But 20 minutes into the game Saints hit back. Firstly, Gardner drove Saints into decent field position. The ball was then worked wide to Talau who sold a dummy to the centre and went over. Long with the extras.

Saints’ next try was straight out of the top drawer. Cunningham ran across the line, sold two dummies then fed Wellens 40 yards out. The full back then picked the perfect pass to send Flannery on his way – and he was unstoppable. Long with the conversion.

On Warrington’s next set, Briers kicked through close to the Saints line but Wellens was more than up to the task. From the drop out, Warrington got to the try line and Johnson flipped a pass out of the back for Hicks to pop over. Hicks converting.

It was proving to be a real tense cup tie with every mistake being punished with points. This time, Monaghan knocked on in the centre of the field and from there the ball went through hands before Wilkin fired a sublime long flat ball out for Meli to finish off.

And he did, running over Hicks in the process. Longy with the extras – off the posts!

Saints back on top again in a real corker of a clash.

Half Time: Saints 18 Warrington 14

Although they were four points up, Saints needed to hit the second half running. In most of the side’s games this season, Daniel Anderson’s men have conceded points, and with a slender lead, defence was the name of the game.

On Warrington’s first set, Briers hammered up a high ball which was easily taken by Meli. Long then fired one of his own – which Riley let bounce, fortunately into the arms of Penny.

Moments later a tricky grubber went dead with Pryce chasing.

But Warrington got on the scoreboard five minutes into the half when the ball was sent wide Johnson who managed to flip a ball out the backdoor to Hicks. The ball looked at least half a yard forward.

Hicks short with the extras.

A couple of minutes later Warrington were penalised for lying on and Saints had six on the Wolves line. But unfortunately, the men in Red Vee couldn’t make the best of the situation.

On 51 minutes, Gardner put Saints ahead when he latched on to some nice passing. Cunningham, Long and Pryce all combined to allow the Cumbrian to go straight through Penny. Long wide with the two-pointer.

Then with Saints right on Warrington’s line, Long put in a kick and within seconds the ball was in Penny’s hands and he had gone the full length of the field. Nice play behind the sticks to work the ball into the winger’s hands. Hicks with the extras to put the Wolves ahead.

On 62 minutes, Meli fielded a clever kick through from Briers to keep his line intact. Wellens did the same moments later.

But a minute later Saints were back in Warrington’s line and after handling from Roby, Long and Wilkin to put the home side in great field position, Pryce sent out a great ball for Talau to get his second. Long with the extras.

And a minute later Pryce laid on a try with comic proportions. He fired a hopeful looking ball into the corner and with Gardner chasing, Penny managed to catch the ball then pass it to Gidley who fed Clough to the four-pointer. Long with the extras.

Gilmour then waltzed through the Warrington defence – cutting this way and that – after taking a ball from Hargreaves. Long again with the two-pointer.

Westwood and Grix pulled scores back late on – with Hicks adding two points – but it was always going to be too little, too late.

Match Summary

Saints:

Tries: Talau (2), Flannery, Meli, Gardner, Clough, Gilmour

Goals: Long (6 from 7)

Warrington:

Tries: Morley, Hicks (2), Penny, Westwood, Grix

Goals: Hicks (5 from 8)

Penalties:

Saints: 5

Warrington: 4

HT (Sts First): 18-14

FT (Sts First): 40-34

ATT: 8570

REF: Richard Silverwood

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 10. Jason Cayless, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 17. James Graham, 11. Lee Gilmour, 16. Chris Flannery, 12. Jon Wilkin.

Subs: 14. James Roby, 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 21. Paul Clough, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu.

Warrington:

1. Stuart Reardon; 2. Chris Hicks, 17. Paul Johnson, 4. Matt King, 5. Kevin Penny; 6. Lee Briers, 7. Michael Monaghan, 8. Adrian Morley, 14. Mark Gleeson, 10. Paul Rauhihi, 11. Louis Anderson, 12. Ben Westwood, 13. Vinnie Anderson.

Subs: 19. Simon Grix, 20. Chris Riley, 21. Andy Bracek, 22. Ben Harrison.