Saints are out of the Betfred Challenge Cup following a 20-12 defeat to Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium…

Saints had the first chance within the opening four minutes. A high shot on Matt Whitley within the Warrington ten gave Saints a penalty and the visitors opted to run it. A few tackles in, we went left and Mark Percival was dragged into touch.

Warrington tried to respond. An error from Saints inside our own half gifted the hosts good field position. George Williams tried a chip over the top early in the tackle count but Alex Walmsley did well to claim the bouncing ball.

The hosts took the lead 16 minutes in. Dayon Sambou fumbled a high kick to the corner giving Warrington a set inside our 10. A few tackles in, James Harrison got an offload away, Marc Sneyd shifted the ball right to Williams who found Matt Dufty who broke through the defence to open the scoring. Sneyd converted, 6-0 Saints trailed.

Saints lost Curtis Sironen for a HIA shortly after, with his replacement Jake Wingfield then forced off after his first carry following another hit to the head. Sironen returned to the game, Wingfield did not.

We then had a trip to the video referee. Jonny Lomax chipped over the top and there was a race to the loose ball underneath the sticks, with Tristan Sailor winning the race to it but Dufty’s boot stopped the ball from being grounded and Warrington had a seven-tackle set. The visitors then had another HIA, with Mark Percival heading off, not to return so Saints had James Bell now available to call on following two failed assessments.

The video referee was called into action again just before the break. Saints kept the ball alive on the last tackle, Lomax put a great kick in under the posts and Sailor won the race to it and this time grounded it. Jon Bennison converted from in front, 6-6 it was tied.

Saints tried to go ahead just before the break, Warrington claiming the ball on their own line as we headed into half-time level at 6-6.

Warrington had a great chance to re-claim the lead. Ashton broke down the left edge and was 1 on 1 against Welsby who did well to halt his progress and drag him towards the touchline. Saints saw the rest of the set out before the referee blew for offside as Saints claimed the kick on the last tackle and broke the other way. Warrington opted for two and Sneyd gave them the lead again, 8-6.

We had a trip upstairs ten minutes into the second half. Saints shifted the ball through the hands from right to left, Joe Batchelor cut inside from the left edge and tried to reach out but the ball went to ground.

The hosts had another good chance to extend their lead. First, Dufty had a gap that he tried to exploit down the right edge but he was forced to offload out of a tackle. The following tackle they shifted it left but the final pass to Ashton was ruled forward as he looked to score in the corner.

A try did follow though. Williams put an early chip over the top which Saints allowed to bounce, Ben Currie claimed it and scored under the sticks. Sneyd made it a two-score game with the conversion, 14-6 Warrington led.

Shortly after, we had another trip upstairs. Saints kept the ball alive on the last tackle, Bennison’s kick on the wing was fumbled by Warrington, Saints claimed it and Daryl Clark dove over to score from close range, colliding with the posts in the process. Bennison converted, 14-12.

Again, Warrington had another golden chance to increase their lead. Ashton broke down the left edge and again found himself one-on-one against Welsby but again he couldn’t get past the Saints fullback. Saints defending well to see out the rest of the set.

Warrington grabbed their third try with just over ten minutes to go. A loose pass from Saints in attack gave Warrington the ball back, a few tackles into their set they shifted the ball right and Williams broke through a gap and raced half the length of the field to score. Sneyd converted, 20-12.

Saints had some late chance but weren’t able to get back into it, as we exit the Betfred Challenge Cup at the Quarter-Final stage following a 20-12 defeat at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Match Summary

Warrington Wolves Team: Matt Dufty, Arron Lindop, Ben Currie, Rodrick Tai, Matty Ashton, Marc Sneyd, George Williams, Zane Musgrove, Danny Walker, Paul Vaughan, Adam Holroyd, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, James Harrison.

Interchanges: Sam Powell, Luke Yates, Joe Philbin, Jordan Crowther.

18th Man: Jake Thewlis.

Tries: Matt Dufty (16), Ben Currie (55), George Williams (70)

Conversions: Marc Sneyd (3 from 3)

Penalties: Marc Sneyd (1 from 1)

Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Jon Bennison, Matt Whitley, Mark Percival, Dayon Sambou, Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Moses Mbye, Matty Lees, Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles.

Interchanges: Daryl Clark, Agnatius Paasi, Jake Wingfield, George Delaney.

18th Man: James Bell.

Tries: Tristan Sailor (37), Daryl Clark (60)

Conversions: Jon Bennison (2 from 2)

HT: 6-6

FT: 20-12

Attendance: 10,114

Saints Line up

1 Jack Welsby
5 Jon Bennison
16 Matt Whitley
4 Mark Percival
29 Dayon Sambou
6 Tristan Sailor
7 Jonny Lomax
8 Alex Walmsley
14 Moses Mbye
10 Matty Lees
11 Curtis Sironen
12 Joe Batchelor
13 Morgan Knowles
9 Daryl Clark
17 Agnatius Paasi
18 Jake Wingfield
19 George Delaney

Warrington Wolves Line up

1 Matt Dufty
33 Arron Lindop
11 Ben Currie
4 Rodrick Tai
5 Matty Ashton
6 George Williams
35 Marc Sneyd
16 Zane Musgrove
9 Danny Walker
10 Paul Vaughan
21 Adam Holroyd
12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
8 James Harrison
14 Sam Powell
13 Luke Yates
15 Joe Philbin
17 Jordan Crowther

Last updated 6 Apr 25 16:25:24

FT

⏹ The Saints exit the 2025 Challenge Cup at the Quarter Final stage

Full time sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport

78'

Wolves get a penalty to move them up field, we keep them out though and need to come off our own line.

77'

Sambou gets a half break on the wing before being stopped. Sailor then on the last kicks across the field, but Warrington catch in the in-goal for a tap 20m restart.

75'

Sambou is almost dragged in touch, but Batchelor gets behind his winger to stop it.

74'

Walmsley off, Paasi on. 🔄

73'

Strong defence from St.Helens, as the Wolves again push close following the penalty.

71'

Saints go for a short restart, and it’s out on the full.

71'
Goal
Marc Sneyd for Warrington Wolves

Sneyd adds the two.

70'
Try
George Williams for Warrington Wolves

A loose Saints pass is leapt on by Wolves, they keep it alive and Williams runs out to the edge where there is broken defence and open field, and goes all the way to score.

68'

Wolves this time move Saints back towards our own line, but on the last knock it on.

66'

Batchelor takes a big shot from Tai. Mbye kicks then on the last, not a great one, but Whitley has it but from an offside position.

64'

We come from our own line to the Wolves’ 30m in attack, solid effort, and the defensive hit up after a kick by Lees is strong.

63'

Another Ashton break and Welsby, what a defensive effort to keep the Wolves winger from scoring!

🐺 14-12 😇

🐺 14-12 😇

61'
Goal
Jon Bennison for Saints

Bennison’s kick moves us to within two points of the Wolves

59'
Try
Daryl Clark for Saints

CLARKKKKK! 9️⃣

The Wolves knock on inches off their own line, Mbye picks up and passes to Daryl who goes under the sticks!

🐺 14-10 😇

57'

Fitzgibbon knocks on as the Wolves come into the Saints half of the field following a tackle.

56'
Goal
Marc Sneyd for Warrington Wolves

Sneyd adds the conversion.

55'
Try
Ben Currie for Warrington Wolves

Try. Warrington.

A Williams kick bounces kindly up into the hands of Ben Currie following a chase.

53'

🔄 Knowles off, Bell on.

Ding dong time, go get some Belly! 🔔

🐺 8-6 😇

53'

Wolves on the left pass out to Ashton, but the final pass is forward.

51'

51′ Warrington challenge the call of knock on by Rodrick Tai.

Challenge is judged as successful, the hosts get the ball back and a strip penalty.

🐺 8-6 😇

50'

Saints with their first real sight-line of the try-line in this half, Batchelor with four Wolves on him is over but looks to have lost the ball.

Referee sends it upstairs to check for a strip. No strip.

49'

Warrington knock on, early in their attack following the restart.

48'
Goal
Marc Sneyd for Warrington Wolves

Sneyd adds the two.

47'

Delaney judged offside… Wire get a penalty for it and will kick it.

45'

Ashton rides a tackle and manages to break the line, Welsby takes him down though, loose ball and Wire are metres off our line.

Delaney makes an intercept though to stop the thhreat!

44'

The Red V do well in defence again, the Wolves turned away from in our own half.

43'

The Wolves knock on early in a set at the play of the ball, however we do the same early on after getting the ball.

42'

Percival has failed his HIA, so Bell is now allowed to play as 18th man and comes onto the bench.

41'

Saints kick high, the ball is allowed to bounce but still lands in the hosts’ hands. Lomax makes a quick tackle.

40'

⏯ 40 minutes to earn a Semi Final place.

COME. ON. YOU. SAINTS.

🐺 6-6 😇

Following the Challenge Cup Semi Final draw, which has taken place at half time, the winner of today’s Quarter Final will play Leigh Leopards

The game will be played over the weekend of the 10th & 11th of May

We’re back at home on Friday night, when we take on Wakefield Trinity!

⏸ All square in the Quarter Final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium

Half time sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport

40'

Another strong attack from the Red V has the Wolves retreating back, Sailor on the last dribbles a kick but Wolves take it – that will be the half.

39'
Goal
Jon Bennison for Saints

Benno adds the two! ✌

38'
Try
Tristan Sailor for Saints

SAILORRRR! 💪

Lomax dabs a short kick near the points which Sailor jumps onto and scores!

🐺 4-6 😇

38'

Saints again push the Wolves back towards their own line, brilliant attacking.

Lomax drops a short kick which Sailor jumps onto again, claims a score and the referee goes to the VR – sent up as a try!

35'

St.Helens go close, a half break on our makeshift left edge see us move into the Wolves’ 20m. On the last Welsby and Delaney link up, with the prop trying to drive himself over.

33'

So Whitley and Batchelor now at centre it looks, with Sironen and Knowles as our back rowers. Mbye at loose forward.

31'

Percival is now coming off for a HIA, looks to be struggling.

Clark comes on.

31'

Sironen passed his HIA and comes back on, Lees comes off. 🔄

31'

Bennison competes for a kicked ball, with Sailor then getting it. The referee firstly played on, but after a tackle is made then gives the Wolves the ball.

29'

Penalty for the hosts, a flop is judged and the Wolves get another good chance to attack.

27'

Batchelor after making a superb tackle on Williams comes off worse for wear, it looks like he’s forced himself to be sick, done so and played on. Insane.

26'

Sneyd lifts a kick to the left, Sailor tries to catch it but it goes through the hands.

Warrington with another good chance now to attack, 10m off our line.

25'

No try confirmed by the VR.

25'

Lomax on the left kicks towards the in-goal area, Sailor leads the chase and gets to the ball and claims a try.

The referee sends it up as a No Try. Over to the Video Ref.

🐺 6-0 😇

24'

Warrington on their last try to keep the play going, we chase Sneyd down and tackle not called complete, they then get a kick away.

22'

No further action taken on the field, but Wingfield has to come off.

Delaney now on. 🔄

🐺 6-0 😇

22'

Time off, Jake Wingfield stays down after a carry, and the doctors come on to check him over.

22'

Warrington get held in their own half once more, but they have ramped up in their defence to keep us in our own 20m.

21'

🔄 Sironen comes off for a HIA, with Wingfield coming on.

🐺 6-0 😇

21'

Lomax does a reverse kick to the left corner, Lindop takes it and is met immediately by a wall of Saints players.

19'

Warrington threaten on their left edge, Williams and Currie link up but knock on, trying too much.

Saints scrum, 15m off the halfway line.

18'
Goal
Marc Sneyd for Warrington Wolves

Sneyd adds the extras from in front.

17'
Try
Matt Dufty for Warrington Wolves

Following a knock on 10m off our own line, the Wolves start close, a six-again is given too and a Harrison wild offload is worked to Williams, and a pass inside to Dufty sees the fullback score the opening points.

15'

Williams kicks to Sambou, and sadly Dayon knocks on in the tackle.

Wolves with a golden chance, 10m out.

13'

Following a Saints error, the Wolves get their first major attack in our half.

It ends with Williams chipping to the left corner, but Walmsley is there after a bounce.

🐺 0-0 😇

11'

The Wolves will get their first major chance of the half following a Sneyd bomb Welsby catches, he passes to Percival but we then knock on.

Warrington scrum, 30m out.

10'

Lomax did very well with two one-out carries after an early kick turned us around, he then kicks to Dufty and Lees leads a strong Saints chase.

9'

Coming out of our own 10, the Red V do well to move Wire back into their own half. Sironen after an Mbye kick stops Lindop breaking through.

8'

The Wolves get held by our 40 following the Saints error, good defence again.

Williams on the last lifts a kick up and Welsby calmly takes it.

6'

Shot by Sironen to finish off a defensive set.

Whitley this time is held up by the edge and loses the ball as he’s getting dragged by Wolves men. Reliever for the hosts.

5'

Mark Percival on the left goes close, but Warrington hold him up in the tackle and take him in touch.

4'

Whitley gets taken high as he goes close, referee initially signalled play on but the linesman had his say.

3'

Brief pause in play as Paul Vaughan has his finger put back in.

2'

Late hit on Morgan Knowles by Danny Walker, Saints’ first attack is extended and we start 40m out.

2'

Strong opening defence from St.Helens, the Wolves kept by their own 40m line.

Kick Off

▶ KICK-OFF! The Saints are battling the Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium!

A spot in the Challenge Cup Semi Finals awaits today’s winner – Come On You Saints!

All smiles at arrival

Matt starts at centre today 👊

As soon as the away turnstiles opened at the Halliwell Jones Stadium our away army began filtering in and are getting the songs started early. Love that, keep it up all afternoon, Saints. 🔊

😇 Your Saints lineup for today’s Quarter Final match against Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup Quarter Final!

🔻 𝑮𝑨𝑴𝑬 𝑫𝑨𝒀

🆚 Warrington Wolves
🏆 Challenge Cup Quarter Final
📌 Halliwell Jones Stadium
🕝 2:30pm KO
📺 BBC Two