Saints » Results

Paul Clough bagged a sensational hat trick as Saints came back from eight points down late in the second half to pull off a wonderful win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

A brace from Gardner and an 80 yarder from Francis Meli in the last minute of the first half saw Daniel Anderson’s men home to a 30-22 win.

Roared on by a magnificent away support, the Saints’ line up had a familiar look with Sean Long, Paul Sculthorpe, James Graham and Lee Gilmour returning.

Only long term absentee Nick Fozzard and Leon Pryce were ruled out.

Hargreaves, Clough, Fa’asavalu and Eastmond were named substitutes.

Adrian Morley was one of the returnees for Warrington as they bid to record only their second win in 33 games against their near rivals.

From the kick off Saints had the early pressure as Keiron Cunningham worked some nice space for Lee Gilmour.

A lying-on penalty later, Saints were in Warrington territory and after a couple of strong drives, Cunningham was held up over the line.

Chris Riley then produced a lively run to work the ball into Saints’ half. From there, the ball went left, through Matt King and to Kevin Penny, who looked to have squeezed over in the corner – confirmed by the video referee. Hicks successful with the conversion.

Clough replaced Sculthorpe on 10 minutes and instantly he broke through a couple of tackles to set up a good attacking opportunity. But Saints couldn’t take advantage.

On 15 minutes, Morley floored Wilkin with a dangerous and high tackle. From there, Saints displayed some marvellous passing to get within a metre of the Warrington line, but couldn’t find a way over.

Six minutes later, a high kick from Long caused havoc in the Warrington defence and gave Saints another set of six on the Wire line. And they made it pay, Paul Clough burrowing over from close range to put the Saints right back in it. Long wide with the extras.

Saints had their tails up. First Gilmour went through the middle and then won a penalty. From the tap, Saints had it wide and Ade Gardner went over in the corner. Long again unsuccessful with the conversion.

But Warrington hit back almost immediately when Penny combined with Matt King to go over in the corner.

With seven left to go in the half a pin-point 40:20 put Warrington in prime attacking position. Gleeson almost went over but was put to ground by some excellent cover tackling. The Wolves forced a drop out but Saints held firm.

Long then fired a perfect kick into Wire territory to force the home side to come out of their own 10.

And with a minute to go, Saints’ fans were delirious as Meli intercepted a wayward Monaghan pass to go fully 80 yards under the sticks. Long with the conversion.

Half Time: Warrington 10 Saints 14

Straight from the kick off Saints won a drop out after Longy’s difficult kick was knocked forward, then forced dead.

Kyle nearly jinked his way over and then the ball was sent out wide and lost. Warrington picked it up and within a blink of an eye Penny was going over for his hat trick. Hicks converting.

Jon Clarke then increased Warrington’s lead even further with a converted score.

On 53 minutes, Long was taken out off the ball by Clarke and the Wire man was put on report.

From the tap, Keiron worked the ball wide and Clough went in for his second; twisting and turning his way when over the line under two tacklers.

Again Saints were fired up and following great work from Roby, Long and Jammer, very nearly went over in the corner with a quarter of the game to go.

A little bit of ‘biff’ a moment later put Saints in good field position after a penalty but Long was called for a forward pass that was very debatable.

Penny should then have recorded his fourth but couldn’t gather it in with the line begging.

And then the topsy turvy game continued when Gardner caught a Long pass to go in the corner. The scrum half then fired a pearler from the touchline to put his charges two up.

Nine minutes to go, Saints had yet more pressure and Paul Clough notched up his hat-trick; the former Blackbrook amateur taking a wonderful ball to go under the sticks.

Penny another potential score chalked off for a forward pass with six minutes to go and then his teammates blew another chance seconds later when the line was begging.

But if Saints ever battling, never say die performance was summed up it was through the defence in the last three minutes.

None more typified when a Monaghan kick put Penny in a foot race with Gidley, and the former Newcastle Knight simply picked up the bouncing ball, turned the young winger around and gained valuable yards. Experience and genius summed up in one play.

From there Saints held more than firm for yet another victory against their local rivals…

Match Summary

Warrington:

Tries: Penny (3), Clarke

Goals: Hicks (3 from 4)

Saints:

Tries: Clough (3), Gardner (2), Meli

Goals: Long (3 from 6)

Penalties:

Warrington: 5

Saints: 8

HT (Sts First): 14-10

FT (Sts First): 30-22

ATT: 13,024

REF: Ashley Klein

Teams:

Warrington:

2. Chris Hicks; 20. Chris Riley, 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, 21. Andrew Bracek, 22. Ben Harrison.

Saints:

3. Matt Gidley; 2. Ade Gardner, 16. Chris Flannery, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 14. James Roby, 7. Sean Long; 17. James Graham, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 10. Jason Cayless, 11. Lee Gilmour, 13. Paul Sculthorpe, 12. Jon Wilkin.

Subs: 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 21. Paul Clough, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu, 24. Kyle Eastmond.