SAINTS will have to wait another week to tie-up the League Leaders Shield after Warrington put them to the sword at Langtree Park.
The Wolves made the best of their opportunities and their host’s defensive lapses to win 39-12.
Saints showed glimpses with Paul Wellens laying on two great tries but they were simply second best throughout and now have to regroup ahead of a big match at Huddersfield next week.
Nathan Brown made one change from the side that beat Leeds last week – Adam Swift coming in for Mark Percival.
And it was the winger that gave his side a solid opening – kicking high for Matty Russell to collect.
Saints then hit hard in defence and it paved the way for the opening try.
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook put in a good drive on the right, then Paul Wellens combined with Anthony Laffranchi to put Shannon McDonnell under the posts.
Warrington hit back when a mistake from a high ball and a fortuitous penalty saw Stefan Ratchford make the space to reply.
The Wolves then forced a drop out – the set well fielded by Saints – but were given another 16 minutes in.
That was lucky too, but Saints did the business, getting the ball dead on Gareth O’Brien’s chip.
Simon Grix left the field on 17 minutes after what looked to be a serious leg injury but the disruption didn’t worry the Wolves as Michael Monaghan scooted over after an error in midfield.
And with 16 to go in the first half it got worse as another mistake and penalty saw Gareth O’Brien ghost in on the angle.
Saints were in self-destruction mode and another good break in the middle of the field was finished aplomb by Joel Monaghan.
But with 10 minutes left in the first half Saints won their first penalty and set about putting some pressure on the Wire line.
It paid dividends.
Again, Wellens was the architect dancing through the middle, offloading to Manu who bade his time and stepped under the posts.
Makinson with the extras.
It was a timely boost and moments later Saints should have had a set right on Warrington’s line.
The referee initially gave it, allowing Saints to set up for an attack, but then changed his mind which erased the momentum Brown’s team had created.
Warrington gained a drop out from that set and Ritchie Myler hit a drop goal as the hooter went to give his side a 23-12 half time lead.
Saints produced a solid first set in the second half and then forced a drop out but couldn’t find a way through.
And they were punished when Richie Myler sold a massive dummy and glided over.
The game then went away from Saints as another defensive mix-up – this time on a free play – handed Joel Monaghan his second.
Saints toiled and another Wolves’ try was forthcoming.
The attacking line looked good as it flew right through Turner and Hohaia but the latter’s pass was off target and Ryan Atkins collected to increase the advantage.
It killed the game off as a contest and left Saints with a job to do on Friday at Huddersfield.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: McDonnell, Manu
Goals: Makinson (2 from 2)
Wolves:
Tries: Ratchford, Monaghan. M, O’Brien, Monaghan. J (2), Myler, Atkins
Goals: Ratchford (4 from 6), O’Brien (1 from 1)
Drop: Myler (1 from 1)
Penalties:
Saints: 3
Warrington: 5
HT: 12-23
FT: 12-39
REF: James Child
ATT: 12,854
Teams:
Saints:
38. Shannon McDonnell; 2. Tommy Makinson, 26. Matty Dawson, 4. Josh Jones, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Lance Hohaia, 17. Paul Wellens; 16. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 18. Alex Walmsley, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 3. Jordan Turner.
Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 11. Sia Soliola, 13. Willie Manu, 15. Mark Flanagan.
Wolves:
1. Matthew Russell; 5. Joel Monaghan, 4. Ryan Atkins, 6. Stefan Ratchford, 18. Rhys Evans; 20. Gareth O’Brien, 7. Richie Myler; 8. Chris Hill, 14. Michael Monaghan, 15. Ben Harrison, 23. James Laithwaite, 12. Ben Westwood, 13. Simon Grix.
Subs: 9. Micky Higham, 10. Roy Asotasi, 11. Trent Waterhouse, 17. Ben Currie.
