Saints headed back to the top of Super League after a professional 42-0 win against a young Wigan side in the Derby, in a match which saw Lewis Dodd handed his first senior appearance from the bench.
Wigan gave debuts to six youngsters with their cup semi final in mind at the weekend, whilst Saints, who are now all focussed on retaining our Super League crown, put out a strong 17 which included young half back Dodd as well as youngsters Jack Welsby and Josh Simm.
It took Saints 11 minutes to take the lead; Alex Walmsley powering over for his ninth of the season after picking up a short ball from Lachlan Coote. Our full back added the extras to give Saints a 6-0 lead.
Kristian Woolf’s men doubled our advantage three minutes later. Sam Halsall was sin binned for a high and late challenge of Coote as he kicked, and Saints took advantage as Jonny Lomax’s cut-out pass found Welsby on the right wing who strolled in to score his seventh of the season. Coote’s kick went through off the post, leaving the score 12-0.
Saints made it three through Regan Grace, who scored his fifth try in four games in style; picking up a pass which bounced on the left, before turning on the defender to score in the corner. Coote converte from the touchlune to make it 18-0 after 19 minutes.
Saints ended a dominant half strongly, with Halsall tackling well to deny Taia from scoring in the last few seconds, but we went into the brak in control, 18-0 ahead.
Into the second period and Kyle Amor had a chance to score as he put on a cute step, but lost the ball on the line.
But he did then lay one on for his Cumbrian teammate, Morgan Knowles who scored his second of the season in the 51st minute. Coote kicked the conversion once more, extending the lead to 24-0.
James Bentley, impressive again scored Saints’ second try in five minutes, after a great run across the defence saw the back rower drive between two defenders to score to the right of the posts. Coote maintained his 100% record, leaving the score 30-0.
The young Wigan side to their credit kept going and picked up two set restarts on the bounce, however Saints defended their own line brilliantly, and went down the other end to score in the 65th minute.
Some lovely quick play to the right found Kevin Naiqama who drew in the wide man before passing to Welsby to score his second of the game. Coote added the extras to give Saints a 36-0 lead.
Grace then rounded things off, scoring his second of the game with three minutes to go. A long pass out to the left found the speedy Welsh winger and he powered through the gears, side stepping the last man to score. Coote made it seven from seven with the conversion, and Saints finished 42-0 winners in the Derby meaning we went back to the top of the Betfred Super League table!
Match Summary
Warrington 13: Umyla Hanley, Sam Halsall, Chris Hankinson, Jake McDonnell, Jake Bibby, Harry Smith, Jake Horrocks, Joe Greenwood, Amir Bourouh, Harry Rushton, Joe Bullock, Liam Byrne, Jack Wells.
Interchanges: Mitch Clark, Ben Flower, Ben Kilner, Kai Pearce-Paul.
Saints 13: Lachlan Coote, Jack Welsby, Kevin Naiqama, Josh Simm, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, James Bentley, Morgan Knowles, James Graham.
Interchanges: Zeb Taia, Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Kyle Amor, Lewis Dodd.
Tries: Walmsley (11), Welsby (14, 65), Grace (18, 77), Knowles (51), Bentley (55).
Goals: Coote 7 from 7.
Half time: 0-18
Full Time: 0-42
Referee: Ben Thaler
