St. Helens 31-30 Warrington

By Chris Lord
May 3 2005

St. Helens win thriller at Knowsley Road.

St. Helens 31

Warrington Wolves 30

Attendance: 12,666

St. Helens produced one of the come backs of Super League X, as they beat the Warrington Wolves by 31-30, thanks to a late Sean Long drop goal with 9 seconds remaining.

With 4 minutes remaining in a pulsating encounter at Knowsley Road, Warrington were ahead by 30-28 and heading for there first win in St. Helens for 14 Years. However, youngster Chris Bridge a close season signing from Bradford Bulls, handed St. Helens a penalty from right in front of the posts, which Sean Long slotted over to level the scores.

Then more heart ace for the Wolves, as St. Helens worked there way from one end of the field to another, and slotted over the winning drop goal, much to the delight of the home supporters.

Paul Cullen commented on a positve performance from his side,

"We have played our part in a classic game and I don't think I need to pick my players up after this display.

"There is obviously an element of disappointment and fatigue because we have pushed ourselves to the wire.

"We have given everything that we've got but we are closing ground fast on other Super League teams."

However St. Helens coach Ian Millward could harldy hide his delight following the win,

"We can win in the last minute because we've shown that before," he said.

"Sean played really well, although I thought a couple of his decisions could have been a little bit better. He was a bit rusty but I thought something had to turn his way and it did."

St. Helens Tries:

Higham, Long, Lyon(2), Albert.

St. Helens Goals:

Long (5)

St. Helens D/G:

Long

Warrington Wolves Tries:

N. Wood(2), Kohe-Love, Fi'Afili, Westwood

Warrington Wolves Goals:

Appo (5)

Warrington Wolves D/G: