Saints beaten by Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium

Saints had the chance to grab two points within the opening two minutes of the game. Zane Musgrove caught Morgan Knowles high and the visitors had a penalty, we opted for two and Jon Bennison converted, 0-2 Saints led early on.

Eight minutes in, Warrington were reduced to twelve men for ten minutes. Lachlan Fitzgibbon caught Tee Ritson high and Saints had the chance to push into the Warrington half again. Warrington’s best chance came thirteen minutes in. Josh Drinkwater kicked early as he spotted space, Ritson did well to deny Matty Ashton though, but it gave Warrington the ball back ten metres from the Saints line. Following the play, Matty Lees saw yellow for a late hit on the Warrington man.

Another chance quickly followed. Warrington had a scrum 40 metres from the Saints line, Cai Taylor-Wray broke and tried to find Matty Ashton, but the ball went to ground and bounced into touch.

The hosts did take the lead shortly after though. Saints made another error, Ashton picked the loose ball up and weaved his way through a gap before winning the race to the corner. Josh Thewlis converted, 6-2 Saints trailed.

Warrington grabbed another try just before the break. George Williams broke through the line and was able to offload to Jordy Crowther, who dove over the line from close range. Thewlis converted, 12-2 Warrington led.

Those were the final points of the half, as Saints trailed 12-2 at the break at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

⏸ The Saints are down by ten points at the break in Warrington.

Live Match Centre
➡ https://t.co/A1mK3aD31b#COYS pic.twitter.com/xqhj8DYt3L

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 7, 2024

Warrington were awarded a penalty three minutes into the second half, and opted for two points. Thewlis converted, 14-2. Six minutes later, they opted for two against after being awarded another penalty. Again, this hosts opting for two and Thewlis converting, 16-2.

In a half of very few chances, the video referee was called upon 26 minutes into the second half. Warrington applied more pressure, Drinkwater put a kick in and there was a collision in back play. After initially awarding just a penalty, Chris Kendall then opted to have a look upstairs, giving a no try verdict, which was quickly agreed with.

The hosts could have grabbed another try shortly after though. From a scrum, Warrington went left as Williams threw a cut-out pass over the top to Ashton and he raced away down the wing. Jack Welsby made a great last ditch tackle though to force the winger into touch.

Saints then had a trip upstairs for a potential try. A high kick on the last tackle by Moses Mbye ended up coming loose as players contested for the high ball, Saints worked it to George Delaney who crossed. The on-field verdict of no try was agreed with though.

Thewlis was sent to the sin bin with the final play of the game for trying to slow the play the ball down, but no more major chances followed, as Saints suffered a 16-2 defeat to Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium…

⏹ Warrington get the win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.#COYS pic.twitter.com/pBQntwVdk4

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 7, 2024

Match Summary

Warrington Wolves Team: Cai Taylor-Wray, Josh Thewlis, Rodrick Tai, Toby King, Matty Ashton, George Williams, Josh Drinkwater, Luke Yates, Sam Powell,Zane Musgrove, John Bateman, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Ben Currie.

Interchanges: Danny Walker, Matty Nicholson, Jordy Crowther, Joe Philbin.

18th Man: Tom Whitehead.

Tries: Matty Ashton (18), Jordy Crowther (37)

Conversions: Josh Thewlis (2 from 2)

Penalties: Josh Thewlis (2 from 2)

Sin Bin: Lachlan Fitzgibbon (8), Josh Thewlis (80)

Saints Team: Harry Robertson, Tee Ritson, Waqa Blake, Sione Mata’utia, Jon Bennison, Jonny Lomax, Moses Mbye, Alex Walmsley, Jake Burns, Matty Lees, Matt Whitley, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles.

Interchanges: Jack Welsby, Agnatius Paasi, George Delaney, Jonny Vaughan.

18th Man: Ben Davies.

Tries: 

Conversions: 

Penalties: Jon Bennison (1 from 1)

Sin Bin: Matty Lees (13)

HT: 6-2

FT: 16-2

Attendance: 12,015