A DEPLETED and injury ravaged Saints produced their best performance of the season to beat Warrington Wolves 25-22 in their own back yard.
Missing eight first team regulars they battled back from 10-0 down to take the points.
Theo Fages was outstanding throughout – as were the youngsters Jack Ashworth, Morgan Knowles and Jake Spedding who was on debut.
But this was a real 1-17 dig that not only defied the odds and the form book but proved no you can’t write off a side coached by Keiron Cunningham.
Warrington’s early ascendancy arguably came against the run of play – but Saints’ response was breathtaking.
The visitors looked handy early doors until Stefan Ratchford’s inch perfect kick to the corner was collected by Kevin Penny.
Moments later Ryan Atkins caught Ashton Sims’ pass for a simple try.
But Saints steadied the ship and hit back almost immediately.
The excellent Jon Wilkin offloaded to Shannon McDonnell within 20 metres of the Wolves’ line and he slipped the ball to Kyle Amor on a devastating run.
Luke Walsh with the simple extras.
The try rocked the Wolves and to the surprise of the home support, on the visitor’s next set they were ahead.
Strong runs from the forwards got them close before Fages ‘double pumped’ to sell the dummy and sent Ashworth over for his first in the red vee.
Walsh with his second conversion of the evening.
Saints came once again and were unlucky not to increase the lead before they repelled a Wolves’ attack. Jordan Turner at the right place at the right time.
And with five minutes to go a high kick won another set on Warrington’s line – Tom Lineham knocking on from Walsh’s excellent hoof – but Saints couldn’t get their numbers right.
It was a chance they were left to rue as right on the half time hooter Ben Currie crashed over in the corner with three around him.
Saints began the second half on the back foot – an error handing the Wolves the impetus from the outset.
Walsh then somehow saw the ball come off his legs for a drop out but the home side bungled the kick to hand the ball back to their opponents.
Jack Owens immediately forced a drop out and it gave the space for Saints to score once more.
It came from Fages – who was head and shoulders man of the match – once again and he caught Matty Dawson in acres of space for his sixth of the season.
Andre Savelio went close on 55 minutes, before more immense defence kept out the league leaders.
On 64 minutes, Wilkin left the field after a hit from Ryan Atkins and Walsh knocked over a penalty to quell the nerves.
But the killer try – right in front of the Club’s excellent away support – was to come from one of those kids.
In his fourth appearance for the Saints Morgan Knowles took full advantage of a kick through to put Saints clear.
Walsh added a drop goal to take it out to 25-14 before Kevin Penny added his second with five minutes to go.
It looked a mere consolation but when Tom Lineham collected it kick to the corner with two minutes left, it really was game on.
But anything other than a Saints win would have been a travesty – especially to Fages – and Saints defended the Wolves’ last set to send the fans home jubilant.
Match Summary:
Wolves:
Tries: Penny (2), Atkins, Currie, Lineham
Goals: Westwood (1 from 3), Gidley (0 from 1)
Saints:
Tries: Amor, Ashworth, Dawson, Knowles
Goals: Walsh (4 from 5)
Drop: Walsh
Penalties:
Wolves: 6
Saints: 3
HT: 12-14
FT: 25-22
REF: Ben Thaler
ATT: 13,678
Teams:
Wolves:
5. Matty Russell; 20. Kevin Penny, 11. Ben Currie, 4. Ryan Atkins, 2. Tom Lineham; 1. Kurt Gidley, 6. Stefan Ratchford; 8. Chris Hill, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Ashton Sims, 13. Ben Westwood, 12. Jack Hughes, 14. Joe Westerman.
Subs: 3. Rhys Evans, 18. George King, 25. Joe Philbin, 29. Benjamin Jullien.
Saints:
23. Shannon McDonnell; 22. Jack Owens, 3. Jordan Turner, 21. Matty Dawson, 33. Jake Spedding; 19. Theo Fages, 7. Luke Walsh; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 16. Andre Savelio, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 27. Jack Ashworth, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 10. Kyle Amor, 15. Greg Richards, 17. Luke Thompson, 28. Morgan Knowles.
