A depleted Saints fall to defeat at Warrington

Am injury-hit Saints fell to a disappointing defeat at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, as Warrington came out 19-0 victors in the second round of the Betfred Super League.

Injuries to Alex Walmsley in the warm up and Mark Percival at the start of the second half didn’t help matters, with Kristian Woolf’s men already having to cope without Lachlan Coote, Tommy Makinson, James Roby and Morgan Knowles.

After a fast-moving yet sloppy start by both teams, it was the hosts who drew first blood. Stefan Ratchford scored with a penalty in front of the sticks after a high tackle by Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, giving Warrington a 2-0 lead.

The Wire thought they had opened the try-scoring in the 26th minute through Daryl Clark who forced his way over from dummy half, but he was held up on the line. Matty Ashton had a great chance minutes later, breaking through the Saints back line, only to be denied by a fantastic last-man tackle by Jonny Lomax.

Warrington took the lead in the 31st minute after Daryl Clarke forced his way over the line to the right of the posts, however Ratchford missed the conversion, leaving the score at 6-0.

Warrington doubled their advantage in the 35th minute through Tom Lineham, who scored in the left corner after an offload in the build up, before the winger brushed off two challenges to score. Ratchford added the conversion to make it 12-0.

Blake Austin capitalized on another Saints error and scored a drop goal in front of the sticks on the stroke of half time, meaning Warrington went into half time with a 13-0 lead.

Saints started the second half well despite Percival being forced off through injury. Kevin Naiqama almost going over in the right corner but he was forced into touch before he could touch down.

But Warrington added a third through Josh Charnley, who scored in the right corner after the Wolves’ had spread the play and carried over the extra man. Ratchford missed the conversion leaving the hosts with a 17-0 lead.

The Wire extended their lead to 19-0 in the 69th minute as Ratchford scored a penalty with a kick down the middle half way into the Saints’ half again after a Saints error.

Jonny Lomax thought he’d got one back in the last few minutes, but the video referee ruled it out as he deemed our no.6 to have been held up on the line and that summed up a disappointing night for the Saints as Warrington sealed a 19-0 victory over Saints.

Match Summary

Warrington 13: Matty Ashton, Josh Charnley, Anthony Gelling, Toby King, Tom Lineham, Blake Austin, Stefan Ratchford, Joe Philbin, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jason Clark.

Interchanges: Sitaleki Akauola, Danny Walker, Luther Burrell, Matt Davis.

Tries: Clarke, Lineham, Charnley.

Goals: Ratchford.

Penalties: Ratchford (2).

Drop goals: Austin.

Saints 13: Jack Welsby, Kevin Naiqama, Matty Costello, Mark Percival, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Matty Lees, James Bentley, Luke Thompson, Zeb Taia, Dom Peyroux, Louie MaCarthy-Scarsbrook.

Interchanges: Jack Ashworth, Joseph Paulo, Aaron Smith, Joe Batchelor.

HT: 13-0

FT: 19-0

Attendance: 12,562

Saints Line up

1 Jack Welsby
3 Kevin Naiqama
21 Matthew Costello
4 Mark Percival
5 Regan Grace
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Theo Fages
10 Matty Lees
12 James Bentley
10 Luke Thompson
11 Zeb Taia
12 Dominique Peyroux
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
17 Jack Ashworth
18 Joseph Paulo
19 Aaron Smith
12 Joe Batchelor

Warrington Wolves Line up

1Matty Ashton
2Tom Lineham
3Anthony Gelling
4Toby King
5Josh Charnley
6Blake Austin
7Stefan Ratchford
8Joe Philbin
9Daryl Clark
10Mike Cooper
11Ben Currie
12Ben Murdoch-Masila
13Jason Clark
14Sitaleki Akauola
15Danny Walker
16Luther Burrell
17Matt Davis

Last updated 6 Feb 20 21:38:15

FT: 🐺 Wolves 19-0 Saints 🔴⚪

It’s a night to forget for a depleted Saints who lost Walmsley in the warm-up and Percival early in the second half. Warrington capitilsed down the middle and come away with the 2 points.

79'

Lomax makes a scurry from dummy half, weaves past two Warrington defenders and forces his way over. It goes upstairs, but the video referee says he was held up…

🐺 Wolves 19-0 Saints 🔴⚪

78'

Lomax again drives Saints forward, but his grubber is this time palmed dead by Ashton as Warrington run down the clock.

🐺 Wolves 19-0 Saints 🔴⚪

73'

Lomax’s kick is again palmed into touch as Saints continue to push forward.

🐺 Wolves 19-0 Saints 🔴⚪

71'

Fages’ kick to the corner is inches away from finding the hands of Grace as Charnley palms the ball out.

🐺 Wolves 19-0 Saints 🔴⚪

69'
Goal
Stefan Ratchford for Warrington Wolves

Ratchford takes the two from just inside the Saints half.

🐺 Wolves 19-0 Saints 🔴⚪

68'

The ball is moved to the right and Naiqama goes for the line but Charnley intercepts and Warrington survive before Lees catches Cooper high.

🐺 Wolves 17-0 Saints 🔴⚪

64'

Ratchford’s pass out wide to Charnley finds the dead ball line before Saints win a penalty and Lomax finds touuch.

🐺 Wolves 17-0 Saints 🔴⚪

63'

Austin’s kick is knocked on by Saints and Warrington have a set of six in our 10.

🐺 Wolves 17-0 Saints 🔴⚪

60'

Fages’ high kick results in King being trapped in goal. Warrington go short with their kick again and Ashton is pulled back by Bentley and the hosts win the penalty.

🐺 Wolves 17-0 Saints 🔴⚪

56'

Ratchford misses the two. Lees and LMS back on for Thompson and Ashworth. Smith on for Bentley.

🐺 Wolves 17-0 Saints 🔴⚪

55'
Try
Josh Charnley for Warrington Wolves

Quick hands from Murdoch-Masila and Ashton opens up space for Josh Charnley who goes over in the corner.

🐺 Wolves 17-0 Saints 🔴⚪

54'

Austin’s grubber is picked up by Welsby who is trapped in goal.

🐺 Wolves 13-0 Saints 🔴⚪

52'

Murdoch-Masila wins a penalty after a challenge with Ashworth and Warrington have a chance to extend their lead.

🐺 Wolves 13-0 Saints 🔴⚪

50'

A short Warrington kick off back fires as Saints have the ball in the Wire’s 10! A huge chance here, but Lineham forces Naiqama into touch with the try line begging…

🐺 Wolves 13-0 Saints 🔴⚪

49'

Welsby’s neat grubber results in Costello trapping Ashton and we will come again! Come on boys!!!!

🐺 Wolves 13-0 Saints 🔴⚪

47'

Jo Paulo wins a penalty for Saints. Lomax kicks for touch and we have a chance here!

🐺 Wolves 13-0 Saints 🔴⚪

41'

Percival the next casualty for Saints as he hobbles off. Batchelor on in his place.

🐺 Wolves 13-0 Saints 🔴⚪

41'

We are off and underway again in the second half! Come on, boys!

🐺 Wolves 13-0 Saints 🔴⚪

HT: 🐺 Wolves 13-0 Saints 🔴⚪

It’s Warrington who go in ahead through tries from Clark and Lineham and an Austin drop goal. Work to be done in the second half, boys!

39'
Drop Goal
Blake Austin for Warrington Wolves

Percival knocks on and the Warrington attack results in Austin kicking a drop goal.

🐺 Wolves 13-0 Saints 🔴⚪

36'
Try
Tom Lineham for Warrington Wolves

The ball bobbles around on this right side and Tom Lineham picks it up and goes over in the corner although video replays suggests there was a knock on in the build up…Ratchford converts.

🐺 Wolves 12-0 Saints 🔴⚪

33'

Ratchford surprisingly misses the conversion from right in front…

🐺 Wolves 6-0 Saints 🔴⚪

32'
Try
Daryl Clark for Warrington Wolves

This time Daryl Clark does ground the ball from dummy half.

🐺 Wolves 6-0 Saints 🔴⚪

It’s a real battle here on a crisp night in Warrington!

🐺 Wolves 2-0 Saints 🔴⚪

29'

LOMAX with a try saving tackle on Matty Ashton!

🐺 Wolves 2-0 Saints 🔴⚪

26'

Daryl Clark thinks he has bundled his way over from dummy half, but the video referee says no try.

🐺 Wolves 2-0 Saints 🔴⚪

22'

At the other end we build our attack down the middle and Lomax goes for the line, but is held up just short and it’s the turnover before Warrington win a penalty.

🐺 Wolves 2-0 Saints 🔴⚪

19'
Goal
Stefan Ratchford for Warrington Wolves

Ratchford kicks the two and it’s Warrington who lead.

🐺 Wolves 2-0 Saints 🔴⚪

18'

Austin then wins a penalty as he is caught high by LMS. Ratchford will go for the two…

🐺 Wolves 0-0 Saints 🔴⚪

16'

Blake Austin’s high bomb is fumbled by Welsby and Warrington have a set in Saints 20…

🐺 Wolves 0-0 Saints 🔴⚪

12'

Now it’s Warrington who win the penalty as LMS is penalised for holding down. Time to defend boys!

🐺 Wolves 0-0 Saints 🔴⚪

10'

Lomax is involved again and he tries to feed Jack Welsby but the young full back knocks on and Warrington survive.

🐺 Wolves 0-0 Saints 🔴⚪

8'

Jonny Lomax is then clattered high and we have a set off six in the Warrington 10! The Saints fans find their voice….

🐺 Wolves 0-0 Saints 🔴⚪

6'

It’s a lively start inside the Halliwell Jones Stadium as both have made a few early mistakes. Saints have the scrum on half way before we win a penalty for offside.

🐺 Wolves 0-0 Saints 🔴⚪

We are off and underway here at the Halliwell Jones Stadium! COYS! 🔴⚪

🐺 Wolves 0-0 Saints 🔴⚪