Danny Richardson snatches win for St Helens over Warrington

Drew Darbyshire

Photo courtesy of Richard Long

A late 55-yard penalty goal from Danny Richardson sealed a 14-12 win for St Helens against Warrington.

St Helens coach Justin Holbrook made three changes to his side that lost at Wigan Warriors last week. Ben Barba, Mark Percival and Zeb Taia came in for Adam Swift, Jack Ashworth and Matty Lees.

Steve Price also made three changes to his Warrington Wolves team that won away at Hull Kingston Rovers last time out. Bryson Goodwin, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Ben Westwood replaced Mitch Brown, George King and Ben Pomeroy.

Warrington started well and opened the scoring at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Recent England call-up Mike Cooper got an offload away to Daryl Clark who dived over the line. Tyrone Roberts converted to put his side in a 6-0 lead.

The Wolves extended their advantage midway through the first half. Jon Wilkin was penalised for a high tackle on Westwood and Warrington opted to take a shot at goal. Roberts added the penalty goal. St Helens were 8-0 ahead at the break.

Saints hit the ground running and scored inside a minute following the restart. Jonny Lomax made a superb break, got the ball away to Percival who took on the Warrington defence and assisted Ben Barba. Danny Richardson added the extras.

Roberts then added another two penalty goals for Warrington though, taking their lead to 12-6 after 53 minutes.

The hosts levelled the score on the hour mark. Lomax finished a slick passing move that involved Theo Fages and Taia. Richardson’s boot took the score to 12-12.

In the final 10 minutes of the game, both sides attempted drop-goals but they all went wide.

And with no seconds left on the clock, Saints were awarded a penalty after Warrington were penalised for a high tackle. Richardson showed nerves of steel to add a 55-yard penalty goal and snatch a win for Saints.

The win sees Holbrook’s side take a 12-point lead at the top of the Super League table.

St Helens: Barba; Makinson, Morgan, Percival, Grace; Lomax, Richardson; Amor, Roby, Thompson, Peyroux, Taia, Wilkin. Subs: Fages, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Douglas, Knowles.

Warrington: Ratchford; Lineham, Goodwin, T King, Charnley; Brown, Roberts; Hill, Clark, Cooper, Livett, Hughes, Westwood. Subs: Murdoch-Masila, Patton, Akauola, Philbin. 

Starman: Mike Cooper put in a huge effort for Warrington and you could tell exactly why he has been called back up to the England squad.