Saints-Warrington games have a habit of producing breathtaking finishes.
Long, Cunningham, Turner … well, now it’s time for Danny Richardson to be etched into folklore.
12-all, hooter gone, Saints handed a penalty some 55 metres out, possibly more.
Up steps the 21-year-old and with the eyes of 13,000 packed into the stadium on him, and thousands at home, lands a beauty to give Saints a 14-12 victory.
The home side had been 8-0 down at half time.
They couldn’t settle in possession and it was no surprise when Daryl Clark went over from close range on 10 minutes.
It could have been worse too as Warrington spurned two chances but Saints did grow into it late on.
James Roby and LMS both going close.
That momentum carried over into the second half and within 60 seconds it was game on.
Jonny Lomax made a sensational break on the left hand side, found the supporting Mark Percival who duly turned it back inside for Ben Barba to go under the sticks.
Richardson tagged on the extras but on 50 minutes Tyrone Roberts took the score out to 10-6 with a penalty.
And three minutes later he slotted another home from right in front of the posts.
Saints had to dig deep once again to stop a certain Josh Charnley try on the hour mark and then forced a drop out two minutes later thanks to outstanding kick chase from Richardson and Theo Fages.
That pressure finally told as Saints produced an outstanding passage of play to get one level terms.
Offloads came aplenty, but Kyle Amor’s hand-off and offload were a sight to behold before Jonny Lomax ghosted over.
Roberts attempted a drop goal on three separate occasions before Stefan Ratchford had an attempt.
Richardson had a pop too – one going high but slightly wide.
Until that final moment.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Barba, Lomax
Goals: Richardson (3 from 3)
Wolves:
Tries: Clark
Goals: Roberts (4 from 4)
Penalties Awarded:
Saints: 8
Wolves: 6
HT: 0-8
FT: 14-12
REF: James Child
ATT: 12,454
Teams:
Saints:
23. Ben Barba; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 19. Regan Grace; 1. Jonny Lomax, 18. Danny Richardson; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Dom Peyroux, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 6. Theo Fages, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Luke Douglas, 15. Morgan Knowles.
Wolves:
1. Stefan Ratchford; 2. Tom Lineham, 3. Bryson Goodwin, 18. Toby King, 27. Josh Charnley; 6. Kevin Brown, 7. Tyrone Roberts; 8. Chris Hill, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Mike Cooper, 20. Harvey Livett, 12. Jack Hughes, 34. Ben Westwood.
Subs: 13. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 15. Declan Patton, 16. Sitaleki Akauola, 17. Joe Philbin.
RD23: Saints v Warrington
Match Gallery (Bernard Platt)
