Warrington 12 v 40 St Helens

 

Leon Pryce was the hero as Saints thrashed Warrington in front of a full house at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday

 

He scored a hat-trick as his charges came from 12-6 down at half time to take the two points and return to the top of the engage Superleague.

 

In a young looking Saints’ line-up, Lee Gilmour returned to the starting line up replacing Willie Talau whilst Super Mac (Dean McGilvray) started for the injured Francis Meli. Matty Smith came in for Sean Long.

 

In the pack, Roby got a rare start in front of Keiron Cunningham and Paul Clough took over the loose role.

 

Warrington had the best of the early stages, firing in some big hits, and ex-Saint Martin Gleeson went close – taking advantage of some nervous Saints defending - after great work from Briers.

 

Gardner then went sixty metres but failed to make the best of his advantage.

 

But it was no surprise when Vinnie Anderson bulldozed over from 20 metres on 10 minutes following some awful one on one tackling from the Saints. Quick handling brought the ball inside and on the next tackle the ex-Saint flew in.

 

Saints thought they had hit back in fine style when Super Mac flew in the corner. Matt Gidley took on the Wire defence one on one and flipped a marvellous pass out to the diminutive winger.

 

But the Australian had apparently obstructed Richie Barnett after his pass and the video referee ruled it out.

 

A couple of minutes later Saints got the try they richly deserved when a high kick from Matty Smith caused panic in Warrington’s defence – John Wilkin catching the bouncing ball and charging in under the posts. Scully added the extras.

 

With Warrington rattled, Saints were on fire and should have scored when a few metres from the line, Wilkin failed to take a Wellens pass and go over the whitewash.

 

Maurie Fa’asavalu then took exception to a rough tackle and hit out at Mike Wainwright; the resultant brawl involving at least eight players – most acting as peacemakers. Both protagonists earned 10 minutes in the bin.

 

Eight before the interval Briers worked some magic – a wonderfully flighted kick caught ‘on the dive’ by Henry Fa’afili in the corner. To make matters worse, the scrum half slotted from the touchline to take the Wolves six clear.

 

Saints flew out the blocks early in the second half with a move that went the full length of the field. Leon Pryce dropped onto a loose ball near his own line and two tackles later Matty Smith was sprinting 60 yards to go under the posts. The conversion was a formality.

 

Pryce was next to get himself on the scoresheet – after the video ref gave the nod – when he ghosted his way through the defence. Scully again successful with the two pointer.

 

It was an amazing turnaround in fortunes – Saints producing the big tackles and wise plays backed by a superb away support.

 

Wilkin was next up – intercepting a brave Lee Briers pass to Martin Gleeson to feed Pryce for his second. Matty Smith continuing where Paul Sculthorpe left off with the two pointer.

 

Gardner then went over in the corner following a Wilkin high kick to make it 28-12 and effectively seal the points.

 

There was time for Pryce to notch his third after great work from Roby – the former Bradford player selling a perfect dummy to Brent Grose to fly in – and for Fa’asavalu to burrow over – silencing the Warrington boo-boys.

 

After the game, Daniel Anderson said: “I was confident at half time because we weren’t doing much wrong. Warrington made some big plays in their final five metres.

 

“We were wonderful in the second half. We played with composure and punished Warrington by taking our opportunities.”

 

He continued: “Jon Wilkin was busy all game. He has a wide range of skills and when he comes off our forward play he gets the chance to use them. Leon was a different player in the second half. He only carried it once or twice in the first half and when he gets the ball he is in a rich vein of form.”

 

 

Summary:

 

Warrington:

 

Tries: Anderson, Fa’afili

Goals: Briers (2 from 2)

 

Saints:

 

Tries: Wilkin, Smith, Pryce (3), Gardner, Fa’asavalu

Goals: Smith (1 from 1) Sculthorpe (4 from 4), Tyrer (1 from 2)

 

Pens:

 

 

Sts: 4

Wa: 5

 

HT: 12-6

 

FT: 12-40

 

Att: 13,024

 

 

Teams:

 

Saints: Paul Wellens; Ade Gardner, Matt Gidley, Lee Gilmour, Dean McGilvray; Leon Pryce, Matty Smith; Jason Cayless, James Roby, James Graham; Jon Wilkin, Paul Sculthorpe, Paul Clough. Subs: Keiron Cunningham, Bryn Hargreaves, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Ste Tyrer .

 

Wire: Brent Grose; Henry Fa'afili, Martin Gleeson, Paul Johnson, Richie Barnett; Vinnie Anderson, Lee Briers; Paul Wood, Jon Clarke, Chris Leikvoll; Ben Westwood, Adrian Morley, Mike Wainwright. Subs: Mark Gleeson, Andrew Bracek, Rob Parker, Ben Harrison.