SAINTS have had a few dramatic finales with Warrington throughout the Super League era and tonight they served up another rich classic.
Tied 14-14 with less than a couple of minutes on the clock Jordan Turner polished off as stunning a team move as you will see to put the champions top of the table.
The talismanic James Roby started the move with a characteristic pass, Travis Burns offloaded to Adam Quinlan before Mark Percival stepped inside to allow Mark Flanagan, Luke Walsh and Joe Greenwood to find the centre.
And he made no mistake.
It was a breathtaking end to a breathtaking match that had everything – last gasp defence, flowing moves and great kicking.
Saints made a late change to their side with Mark Flanagan coming in for Josh Jones – and he didn’t disappoint, especially when Captain Jon Wilkin left the field early doors with a damaged thumb.
Warrington started brightly in front of a decent home crowd forcing a penalty from the visitors and then putting pressure on Saints’ line.
They got little change and then Saints had decent back to back sets following great work from Travis Burns and James Roby.
And eight minutes in they almost made the second of those sets pay.
Warrington dropped out, Saints applied the pressure but Walsh’s high ball into the try area was well taken by the rearguard.
Saints continued to press and after Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook went close James Roby shot over from close range.
Walsh added a penalty 19 minutes in before a series of indiscretions saw James Child on his whistle more often than he would have liked.
Both sides threatened the line in the madness but the Wire were more wasteful as on 28 minutes Ratchford ballooned his pass into touch – with a nice overlap waiting.
With seven minutes to go Anthony England thought he had scored under the posts but Brad Dwyer’s pass was inches forward.
But on Warrington’s next foray to the Saints’ line they scored – and it was Ben Currie a great angle that finally broke the visitor’s resolve.
Gareth O’Brien making it 8-6 with the boot and that’s how it stayed until the tenth minute of the second half when the Wolves struck ahead.
On the last Walsh couldn’t get the ball away with a player on the floor impeding the play-the-ball, but he managed to wriggle it free and then throw a pass to the left.
But it was intercepted by Kevin Penny and he went under the sticks.
Saints hit back straight away. Walsh’s high ball and LMS’ chase forced a drop out and then Mose Masoe ran 20 yards, smashed his way through and was under the posts.
Walsh tagging on the conversion to make it 14-12.
Warrington thought they’d gone back ahead when Chris Hill ploughed under the posts – but he was held up – and then Jordan Turner forced the ball out to save a certain try.
Saints needed some possession in Wire’s half and they got some as the game entered it’s final quarter thanks to the boot of Walsh.
His kicks turned the Wolves around time and time – but they were still seeking that killer score to put their hosts away.
And that lack of ball control came back to haunt them as O’Brien kicked a penalty following a bizarre call from the video referee.
Atkins caught a cross field ball, twisted and turned but lost it as he hit the floor.
The referee took an age to chalk it off, but then gave Warrington a penalty apparently for ball stealing.
But these boys aren’t champions for a reason and with two minutes to go they pulled off a coup de grace in front of a superb away support.
Burns, Roby, Quinlan were all involved as Saints did what they do best – it found its way to Turner who made no mistake.
Cue wild scenes.
Saints defended the short restart well and secured their third win over the Wolves this year.
And there won’t be any better than this.
Match Summary:
Wolves:
Tries: Currie, Penny
Goals: O’Brien (3 from 3)
Saints:
Tries: Roby, Masoe, Turner
Goals: Walsh (4 from 4)
Penalties:
Wolves: 10
Saints: 9
HT: 8-6
FT: 20-14
REF: James Child
ATT: 11,618
Teams:
Wolves:
1. Matthew Russell; 22. Gene Ormsby, 6. Stefan Ratchford, 4. Ryan Atkins, 24. Kevin Penny; 20. Gareth O’Brien, 7. Richie Myler; 8. Chris Hill, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Ashton Sims, 12. Ben Westwood, 17. Ben Currie, 13. Ben Harrison.
Subs: 15. Roy Asotasi, 19. Anthony England, 25. Brad Dwyer, 26. Joe Philbin.
Saints:
37. Adam Quinlan; 22. Matty Dawson, 17. Mark Percival, 3. Jordan Turner, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Travis Burns, 7. Luke Walsh; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 14. Alex Walmsley, 21. Joe Greenwood, 12. Jon Wilkin, 15. Mark Flanagan.
Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 19. Greg Richards, 25. Andre Savelio.
