DESPITE this being a clash of two unbeaten teams the main buzz before kick-off was the imminent return from long term injury for Jonny Lomax and what a welcome sight it was for Saints fans as they saw the trademark skullcap on duty as the custodian, writes Graham Henthorne.
He managed a creditable 25 minutes at both full and half back before being replaced by a very sharp looking Ricky Bailey who went on to bag a brace of tries.
The Wolves, sporting first team winger Tom Lineham, were on paper the older more experienced team but after a poor first few minutes which saw them concede the first score the Saints were in total control.
The pack led by Tony Suffolk was all over the Wolves giving a fabulous platform for Travis Burns, Danny Richardson and Tom Connick to play.
Danny Richardson was the first on the scoresheet as he followed up Burns’ grubber taking the rebound off the posts for the try.
Jonah Cunningham scored his customary try from close range as he darted over from Suffolk’s quick play the ball.
The prop forwards’ union again made its mark on 25 minutes as Levy Nzoungou rounded the full back to score after Olly Davies had made the initial break of the line.
The game was effectively over as a contest on the half hour with Bailey’s first. A great 40/20 from Richardson gave the Saints territory and three tackles later Davies was stopped short. From the play the ball Burns cleverly evaded an onrushing tackler before slipping the ball out to an unmarked Bailey popping up at centre.
The Wolves were given a sniff as they scored on the whistle after a bizarre series of five penalties on the run had kept the Saints under the cosh.
But the first set after the interval took any thoughts of a comeback away from the home side as Bailey scored his second. Joe Greenwood majestically strode 50 metres down the middle before flipping an overhead pass to Davies. His fellow second row was just caught from behind but a quick play the ball saw Bailey able to dive over.
Quick reactions from Tom Connick, on for the injured Burns, saw the standoff pick up a try as he reacted quickest to touch down Richardson’s last tackle grubber.
The Saints were in total control now and topped the 40 point mark as Lewis Charnock converted Greenwood’s try from a move that he started by ripping possession from a despairing Wolf. Greenwood charged over four tackles later.
The Wolves did register some points after the break from a lucky twice hacked on kick after a poor pass had nearly gone to ground. The try scorer did seem to be a smidgeon offside but it wasn’t given.
Normal service was resumed from the kick off with Regan Grace’s usual try scoring contribution. Quick hands from left to right saw the winger clear to dive over in the corner.
Fittingly, Tommi Hughes scored the final try in the left corner breaking a tackle and beating the cover.
Approximately seven of this Reserves side can still play U19s rugby but were more than a match for their bigger, older opponents.
Yet another match where Danny Richardson has looked in control of the action out wide with Cunningham and Charnock in charge down the middle.
Greenwood and Davies, backed up by their deputies Liam Cooper and Ben Morris, were too good for a Wolves pack which contained the familiar face of former Saint Joe Ryan who now knows exactly what it’s like to be on the receiving end of the type of performance of which he was such an integral part for so long.
This keeps Ian Talbot’s men unbeaten and sets the return encounter at Langtree at the beginning of May up nicely.
Match Summary:
Warrington:
Tries: Danny Rasool (3), Harvey Livett (39), Sam Wilde (69).
Goals: Harvey Livett 3.
Saints:
Tries: Danny Richardson (9), Jonah Cunningham (17), Levy Nzoungou (25), Ricky Bailey (30 & 41), Tom Connick (50), Joe Greenwood (62), Regan Grace (73), Tommi Hughes (78).
Goals: Burns 3, Charnock 3
Half Time: 22-12
Full Time: 48-18
Teams:
Warrington:
1. Jack Johnson; 2. Tom Lineham, 3. Richard Harris, 4. David Thompson, 5. Declan Kay; 30. Harvey Livett, 7. Tyler Whittaker; 8. Daniel Murray, 9. Sean Kenny, 21. Ben Evans, 11. Danny Rasool, 12. Jacque Peet, 27. Sam Wilde.
Subs: 14. Harry Files, 15. Alex Whalley, 17. Andy Philbin, 19. Joe Ryan, 20. John Cookson.
Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax; 2. Dave Eccleston, 4. Tommi Hughes, 3. Calvin Wellington, 5. Regan Grace; **. Travis Burns, 7. Danny Richardson; 8. Tony Suffolk, 9. Jonah Cunningham, 19. Ross McCauley, 11. Olly Davies, 12. Joe Greenwood, 13. Lewis Charnock.
Subs: 10. Levy Nzoungou, 14. Liam Cooper, 15. Tom Connick, 16. Ricky Bailey, 17. Ben Morris, 20. Dave Llewellyn.
