JOSH Jones scored a superb try as Saints sensationally beat Wigan 18-14 at Langtree Park last night.
He leapt like a salmon to catch Jon Wilkin’s high ball ahead of Matty Bowen to snatch it with just moments left.
Wigan were 14-6 to the good following a controversial penalty and a great George Williams effort.
But Adam Swift continued his fine form with a wonderful score before Jones’ late and timely marker.
It was nothing more than the Champions deserved though after some of the most resilient defence ever seen at Langtree Park.
James Roby made 62 tackles in a game that was ferocious and physical from the get go.
Saints got off to a good start when they won back to back sets on Wigan’s line.
Joe Greenwood earned a penalty and then Luke Walsh forced a drop out from Josh Charnley.
Nothing came of the attack nor did subsequent sets from both sides.
However, an error on nine minutes handed the home side the impetus and Jordan Turner showed great strength to get over.
Sadly, it was ruled off for obstruction – even though you could have argued the Warriors were offside.
Wigan profited straightaway from that let off as Joel Tomkins was caught on a great line to ghost through the defence in the 11th minute.
The visitors then dominated the next ten minutes and put pressure on Saints with three drop outs on the bounce.
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook made a try saving tackle on Matty Smith and then Adam Quinlan stepped up to quell another attack.
Wigan were being ultra aggressive in their defence too – something Saints were struggling to match.
But a penalty and another Walsh kick the visitors found difficult to handle gave Saints a shot – only for the referee to stop Saints’ attack by penalising Roby who was the ball carrier.
Next time the Champions were in the Warriors’ half though, they scored.
On the last, Walsh showed fantastic fleet of foot to dance through on the last and get his side on the scoreboard.
He then levelled it up with the boot.
It was no more than Saints deserved – for their defensive effort at least – and perhaps they should have had more.
Indeed, at the end of the first half Wigan were lucky to have 13 on the field as Tony Clubb not only hit Vea high on one set – causing a mini brawl – but then took out Jordan Turner with a loose elbow on the next set.
It certainly gave added spice to the second half – and that began with a drop out from Saints.
The home side defended that well but then a controversial interference penalty saw Matty Bowen kick through the uprights to make it 8-6 to the Warriors.
On 50 minutes Adam Swift chipped over the top to put pressure on Wigan’s line – but Bowen was up to the task.
And they turned defence into attack – Wigan going the length on their set and George Williams slicing through the defence.
Wigan then had one another chalked off five minutes later for a knock on.
Saints needed to score next and when they did it was a cracker.
Wilkin’s high ball was caught by Bowen but a wonder tackle by Walsh forced the ball loose.
They sent the ball left and a couple of tackles later it came right, through Walsh and then Adam Swift scored a belter.
He may have only been 10 yards from the line but he went in and out; bamboozling two defenders and scored in the corner.
Walsh slotting the conversion from right off the touchline.
Saints defended another controversial penalty on their own line as the game entered its final 10 minutes – one that was doubled for back chat – and then had a try scoring chance harshly called back for a forward pass.
Further back to back sets followed for the Warriors – Saints defence holding firm
But cometh the hour, cometh the Champions…
Wilkin’s high kick flew up into the air and with Matty Bowen ready to take it Josh Jones flew in, took it out of mid air and put it down to pandaemonium in the stands.
Walsh adding the extra two points.
With 90 seconds left, Saints needed to defend one set – but Matty Smith didn’t make the 10 with the restart and ultimaley that ended the game.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Walsh, Swift, Jones
Goals: Walsh (3 from 3)
Warriors:
Tries: Tomkins, Williams
Goals: Bowen (3 from 3)
Penalties:
Saints: 4
Warriors: 7
HT: 6-6
FT: 18-14
REF: Robert Hicks
ATT: 15,808
Teams:
Saints:
37. Adam Quinlan; 2. Tommy Makinson, 17. Mark Percival, 4. Josh Jones, 5. Adam Swift; 3. Jordan Turner, 7. Luke Walsh; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 25. Andre Savelio, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 21. Joe Greenwood, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 11. Atelea Vea, 15. Mark Flanagan, 19. Greg Richards.
Warriors:
1. Matty Bowen; 2. Josh Charnley, 14. John Bateman, 34. Oliver Gildart, 5. Joe Burgess; 6. George Williams, 7. Matty Smith; 8. Dominic Crosby, 9. Michael McIlorum, 10. Ben Flower, 11. Joel Tomkins, 25. Larne Patrick, 13. Sean O’Loughlin.
Subs: 3. Anthony Gelling, 16. Sam Powell, 17. Tony Clubb, 23. Lee Mossop.
