Saints » Results

Saints overturned a half time deficit to extend their winning streak over Warrington.

A 14 point second-half burst that included Ade Gardner’s second, a superb step inside try from Ste Tyrer and a mighty stretch from Francis Meli saw them home to a 30-22 victory.

The win leaves the Wolves without a win at Knowsley Road since 1994.

In two team changes from the side that pushed Hull KR close last week, young Gareth Frodsham made his debut from the bench in place of Maurie Fa’asavalu and Bryn Hargreaves came in for the injured Jon Wilkin.

Warrington made just one change with Pickersgill suspended and former Saint Andy Bracek was given a spot on the bench.

After a superbly observed minute’s silence for Mike Gregory and Duggie Greenall, Chris Bridge got the game underway.

On Wire’s first attack, Paul Wellens superbly caught a high Lee Briers ball on the last tackle.

Then on Saints’ second set, a high ball went up that caused some trouble in the Warrington defence.

Three quick penalties in succession for Saints put them in excellent scoring range and after spreading the ball to the right and left, James Roby simply burrowed over from dummy half. Tyrer with the extras.

Warrington then hit back through Hicks and Gleeson who combined to send the former over in the corner. Briers short with the conversion.

On 18 minutes, the video ref then adjudicated that Warrington had knocked the ball on close to the try line and Saints had the head.

And on the very next set, VR Ashley Klein was called in again to deny Ade Gardner’s effort in the corner – saying the winger had out his hand in touch before he touched down.

16 minutes before the break, a high shot by Morley on Wellens was punished by Ste Tyrer who gave Saints a four point lead.

Longy then pushed Warrington back even further with a bomb that was taken by Bridge. The full back was then bashed over the line to give Saints another set.

On eight minutes Saints’ number seven then fired out a two man cut out ball that fed Meli, who was hauled down close to the line, before James Graham and Cunningham were unlucky to go over.

From the restart, Warrington moved 60 metres up the field and a clever pass sent Gleeson in – although there was a hint of a forward pass in the build up. Briers surprisingly missed the extras from a kickable spot.

Briers then went over and converted to give Warrington a 14-8 half time lead.

Into the second half, Saints needed to score first and they did – a delightful passing move putting Gardner in the corner. Tyrer just short with the extras.

Clough then took an excellent ball from Gids to put the Saints ahead. Tyrer again just short with the two pointer.

And Saints’ speccies were in raptures a minute later as Saints made it three tries in eight minutes when Cunningham sent a delightful ball to Gardner for his second.

On Saints’ next set, a seemingly harmless high ball from Sean Long was knocked forward; James Graham drawing a penalty that Tyrer knocked over from in front.

Ten minutes in, and 14 points put on the board.

On 54 minutes, Ashley Klein adjudicated that Monaghan had failed to ground the ball over the line – which came as a relief as the men from Cheshire looked to be getting their tails up.

An hour in and young Gaz Frodsham made his debut for Saints, driving the ball in to relieve some of the pressure. And it worked, as great field position allowed Longy to put in a good kick and two tackles later forced a Wire error.

Mike Bennett was then so unlucky not to go under the sticks and extend Saints’ lead.

Paul Johnson then pulled four back for Warrington in the corner to set up a tense last quarter.

Saints pulled away once again when Ste Tyrer showed great footwork to take a ball that had come from Long and Pryce and from one side of the ground to the other. It was a clinical finish after Warrington had looked to have a roll on.

But back came Warrington with a simple try from Penny after the referee had given the Wolves a penalty for a high tackle.

And with two minutes to go, excellent Saints tackling forced an error from Morley and Francis Meli stretched about fifty feet to put the ball over the line and seal a great win.

Match Summary

Saints:

Tries: Roby, Gardner (2), Clough, Tyrer, Meli

Goals: Tyrer (3 from 8)

Warrington:

Tries: Hicks, Martin Gleeson, Briers, Johnson, Penny

Goals: Briers (1 from 5)

Penalties:

Saints: 12

Warrington: 11

HT: 8-14

FT: 30-22

ATT: 13,396

Ref: Richard Silverwood

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 22. Ste Tyrer, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 8. Nick Fozzard, 14. James Roby, 17. James Graham, 11. Lee Gilmour, 15. Mike Bennett, 16. Chris Flannery.

Subs: 9. Keiron Cunningham, 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 21. Paul Clough, 26. Gareth Frodsham.

Warrington:

25. Chris Bridge; 2. Chris Hicks, 3. Martin Gleeson, 4. Matt King, 5. Kevin Penny; 6. Lee Briers, 7. Michael Monaghan; 8. Adrian Morley, 9. Jon Clarke, 10. Paul Rauhihi, 11. Louis Anderson, 12. Ben Westwood, 13. Vinnie Anderson.

Subs: 14. Mark Gleeson, 15. Rob Parker, 17. Paul Johnson, 21. Andy Bracek.