Saints Tame Wolves

SAINTS secured their first home win over Warrington since Knowsley Road with a barnstorming 32-24 victory.

They ran up five tries in a dominate performance before the Wolves scored couple late on.

The defence, at times, was simply too good for the visitors and it cemented Saints’ position at the top of the table.

The Wolves came into the game having won every away trip Saints since 2011.

They named a unchanged side whilst Saints brought back Amor following his suspension and the James Roby who was on the bench.

Both sides started cagily, completing their sets and kicking deep.

On four minutes Makinson and Dawson put in strong runs but it was a 70 metre break by Ryan Atkins and Kevin Penny that put Saints in danger.

The home side scrambled and quenched the attack and then won a penalty after strong run from Travis Burns.

Swift had two chances to put Saints ahead before Warrington had an opportunity with Stefan Ratchford.

One side had to produce something special to break the deadlock – and it was your Saints. 

Hohaia got it away to Burns who linked with Masoe for Wilkin to feed Joe Greenwood on a fantastic line.

Burns with the extras.

Warrington tried to force away back but were guilty of overplaying a little.

But when they forced a dropout in the 25th minute and won a penalty, Saints needed to scramble.

Unfortunately, they got caught out at dummy half and Daryl Clark put down – Ratchford converting – to level matters.

At 6-6 the game was finely balanced until Saints chanced their arm on the last.

The ball went left to Turner, he eyed a gap, kicked on – it came off the back of Penny and straight into the arms of Jon Wilkin for his first of the season.

The Skipper scoreth and then giveth – laying on the perfect long pass for Adam Swift to increase the lead with less than 10 minutes left in the first half.

Leading 18-6, Saints gained a dropout early in the second half following Ratchford’s inability to field Burns’ penalty attempt.

Swift almost went over in the corner and Turner was unlucky when he recovered a high ball.

The Wolves gained two penalties in a row and Higham nipped over from dummy half to make it game on.

Saints came back, forced a drop out, won a penalty and LMS barged over from close range.

Scrambling defence from Matty Dawson stopped a certain score on 58 minutes and Saints then defended a repeat set and two penalties.

And, on the last tackle, a wonder tackle forced Kevin Penny into touch.

Saints turned that defence into attack. On Warrington’s next play Vea forced an interception, ran 70 metres and Tommy Makinson went over in the corner.

Penny replied with ten minutes to go after a clearing kick was charged down and then a scrappy period of play saw the Wolves gain penalties and another shot at the try line.

Hill taking full advantage of some poor defence.

Saints won a penalty in the final stages and Burns slotted it for 32-24 – a scoreline that was in reality was more comfortable than it seemed.

Match Summary:

Saints:

Tries: Greenwood, Wilkin, Swift, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Makinson

Goals: Burns (6 from 6)

Wolves: 

Tries: Clark, Higham, Penny, Hill

Goals: Ratchford (1 from 1), O’Brien (3 from 3)

Penalties: 

Saints: 8

Wolves: 12

HT: 18-6

FT:  32-24

REF: Ben Thaler

ATT:12,618

Teams:

Saints:

20. Paul Wellens; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Jordan Turner, 22. Matty Dawson, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Travis Burns, 12. Jon Wilkin; 14. Alex Walmsley, 16. Lance Hohaia, 10. Kyle Amor, 21. Joe Greenwood, 11. Atelea Vea, 18. Luke Thompson.

Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 9. James Roby, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 19. Greg Richards.

Wolves: 

6. Stefan Ratchford; 24. Kevin Penny, 17. Ben Currie, 4. Ryan Atkins, 1. Matty Russell; 3. Chris Bridge, 20. Gareth O’Brien; 8. Chris Hill, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Ashton Sims, 26. Joe Philbin, 18. James Laithwaite, 12. Ben Westwood.

Subs: 14. Micky Higham, 15. Roy Asotasi, 21. Ben Evans, 27. George King.

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