Report - Warrington Wolves 12-40 St. Helens

By Chris Lord
May 29 2007

St. Helens storm back to thrash local rivals Warrington Wolves who have now lost 6 out of the last 7 league fixtures. More bad news for Warrington is that they have to go to Knowsley Road in 2 weeks time in the Challenge Cup quater final and its likely that the champions will have all the players back who missed this victory for the visit of the Wolves. GOD HELP US!!!

engage Super League XII Round 15 - Report

WARRINGTON WOLVES 12
ST. HELENS 40

The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington
Monday 28th May 2007, 12:05
Attendance - 13024

Leon Pryce grabbed a second-half hat-trick as St Helens returned to the top of the engage Super League.

Warrington, who have now won only one of their last seven league matches, looked capable of ending their dismal run when they led 12-6 at the break.

But it all went wrong for Wolves as Saints took charge after the break, with Jon Wilkin outstanding.

The visitors, who host Warrington in a Challenge Cup quarter-final in a fortnight, strolled to victory in the second half even without Willie Talau, Francis Meli, Sean Long, Mike Bennett and Nick Fozzard.

Wolves went ahead after eight minutes following Henry Fa'afili's burst, with Vinnie Anderson scorching over against his old club and Lee Briers landing the conversion.

Dean McGilvray thought he had scored his first senior try for Saints but his 16th-minute effort was ruled out by video referee Ashley Klein for obstruction by Matt Gidley.

But they drew level when Richie Barnett allowed Matty Smith's kick to bounce and Wilkin went over.

Murie Fa'asavalu and Wolves' forward Mike Wainwright were then sin-binned on the half-hour for trading punches. The incident was placed on report - although the Saints forward appeared to be the instigator.

Warrington lost Paul Johnson in the 34th minute after he was accidentally kicked in the face by Paul Sculthorpe.

Wolves went ahead when Fa'afili crossed after collecting Briers' well-judged kick, and lead at the break before they fell apart.

Teenager Smith took Bryn Hargreaves' pass to race 70 metres and draw Saints level almost straight from the restart.

Then the flood gates opened with Pryce taking Wilkin's pass to go over.

Wilkin then intercepted a Briers pass for Pryce to bag his second try on the hour.

It was again Wilkin who then set up Ade Gardner's touchdown with his speculative kick causing chaos in the Wolves defence.

Pryce completed his treble with a solo effort in the 70th minute.

But Saints still were not finished with Fa'asavalu bagging Saints' seventh try - and their sixth in a one-sided second half - seven minutes from time.

The defeat leaves Warrington, despite their close season spending spree, languishing third from bottom, while St Helens still have a 100% record after eight visits to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington Wolves head coach Paul Cullen is sure to be feeling the heat now after fans are starting to call for his sacking. Sean McRae and John Lang are the likely options should the Wolves board follow the chanting from the fans, after all its the fans who pay there money to watch the team play.

Wolves Tries - Vinnie Anderson, Henry Fa'afili

Wolves Goals - Briers (2)

Saints Tries - John Wilkin, Leon Pryce (3), Matty Smith, Ade Gardner, Maurie Fa'asavalu

Saints Goals - Paul Sculthorpe (4), Matty Smith, Steven Tyrer

HT Score - 12-6
FT Score - 12-40
Attendance - 13024
Weather - Clear, Cool
Match Rating - 3/5

Note - For the 2nd match running Warrington Wolves have been kept pointless by the opposition.