Warrington 10-12 St Helens: Saints extend lead at top of Super League

Drew Darbyshire
Tommy Makinson St Helens

Tommy Makinson goes over for St Helens

Super League champions St Helens strengthened their position at the top of the table with a 12-10 win over Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington half-back Gareth Widdop returned from a three-match absence. He filled the void left at full-back by the injured Josh Thewlis.

Brothers Peter (Warrington) and Sione (St Helens) Mata’utia lined-up directly against each other in the centres.

The Wolves got off to a great start by scoring the game’s first try in the 13th minute. Connor Wrench made a break down the right wing to assist the supporting Widdop.

But the hosts conceded a sloppy try midway through the first half. Warrington tried to trap the ball in the scrum which led to Alex Walmsley collecting the ball to score from close range.

England World Cup hopeful Tommy Makinson darted over in the corner for Saints just before the break. He kicked his second conversion to send his side into the sheds 12-4 to the good.

HT: Warrington Wolves 4-12 St Helens

Alex Walmsley St Helens
Alex Walmsley of St Helens celebrates his try

Warrington fought their way back into the game in the second half. They pulled one back on the hour thanks to a sublime break from Widdop which saw Williams dart over. Stefan Ratchford converted but they trailed 12-10 with 20 minutes to go.

It was a pulsating finish the game in Warrington which saw more than 10,000 in attendance for Thursday night’s televised Super League clash. St Helens managed to hold on for a 12-10 win over their local rivals.

FT: Warrington Wolves 10-12 St Helens

Warrington: Widdop; French, Mata’utia, King, Ashton; Ratchford, Williams; Philbin, D Clar, Cooper, Currie, Holmes, Magoulias. Subs: J Clark, Bullock, Davis, Mulhern.

Tries: Widdop, Williams Goals: Ratchford 1

St Helens: Welsby; Makinson, Hurrell, Mata’utia, Percival; Davies, Lomax; Walmsley, Roby, Lees, Sironen, Batchelor, Knowles. Subs: Lussick, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Paasi, Bell.

Tries: Walmsley, Makinson Goals: Makinson 2

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