UPDATED PICTURES: Warrington Wolves will have another go at finally securing that elusive Super League title at Old Trafford next week after beating St Helens 18-10.
For the third time in five years, Tony Smith’s men will go for Grand Final glory, this time against either Hull or Wigan.
They overturned a 10-8 half-time deficit to record only a third home win over Saints in the modern era.
Second half tries from Stefan Ratchford and Tom Lineham proved decisive, and the Wolves defence stood firm.
The game hinged on two controversial try decisions – both that went in the Wolves favour, as Lineham looked to have lost the ball when grounding, while a late one for Saints was chalked off too when it seemed that Dominque Peyroux had got the ball on the line.
But while Saints will bemoan those decisions, few can argue that Warrington don’t deserve their place in the Grand Final having finished top of the tree after 30 games.
On the back of last week’s League Leaders’ Shield securing win at Hull, the Wolves were still without Chris Sandow, not risked through injury.
It took 20 minutes for the scorers to be troubled, Dec Patton notching a penalty after Saints were pegged for a ball steal.
Within six minutes, Saints were level as Luke Walsh converted after Warrington were penalised for holding down in the tackle.
The two sides continued to feel each other out on what was a fine occasion at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Plenty of fireworks for @wolvesrl v @Saints1890 #biggamenight pic.twitter.com/cXMNNbaFDT
— warrington-worldwide (@warringtonworld) September 29, 2016
Man of the Match Kurt Gidley then got the first try, taking on the line, and though replays suggested he may be slightly short, he was given the benefit of the doubt and on the half hour, Warrington led 8-2.
Try time for @kurt_gidley for @wolvesrl v @Saints1890 8-2 pic.twitter.com/fDyk9aESEX
— warrington-worldwide (@warringtonworld) September 29, 2016
But Saints turned things on its head on the stroke of half-time.
A fantastic move down the left edge triggered by a Jordan Turner offload, in what turned out to be his last game for Saints before his move to the NRL, set winger Adam Swift away close to the touchline.
He pegged his ears back and then put Jonny Lomax away inside the full-back to lessen the angle and draw Saints level.
And just as it seemed it would be deadlocked at the break, Daryl Clark conceded a cheap penalty for interference on Alex Walmsley, and Walsh notched a 40 metre penalty to go 10-8 in front.
In the opening exchanges of the second half, Warrington appeared to have the ascendancy and so it proved.
A converted Ratchford try made it 14-10, before one of the second half’s major talking points.
Lineham, out of favour for much of the season, went over in the right corner for a try that was given without hesitation, only for replays to show that Swift had knocked the ball free before it had been grounded.
The try stood, and though Patton missed the conversion, Warrington had a two-score advantage.
Although Saints huffed and puffed in the last 10 minutes, they struggled to create chances, a disappointing Lomax kick when there was an overlap on perhaps their best opportunity.
That was until three minutes from time, when Peyroux weaved his way through and found the whitewash under the attention of two defenders.
It was referred to the video referee, with the on-field decision a no try, and Joe Cobb ruled that there was insufficient evidence to overturn the decision of his colleague.
That looked to be the wrong call, but Warrington weren’t going to ask twice, and they saw out the final two minutes to book a deserved place at Old Trafford.
Wigan host Hull tomorrow night to determine the Wolves’ opponents.
Warrington Wolves
Stefan Ratchford, Tom Lineham, Rhys Evans, Ryan Atkins, Matty Russell, Kurt Gidley, Declan Patton, Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Sam Wilde, Jack Hughes, Joe Westerman
Subs: Toby King, George King, Joe Philbin, Morgan Smith
Tries: Gidley, Ratchford, Lineham
Goals: Patton (3)
St Helens
Jonny Lomax, Jack Owens, Dominque Peyroux, Mark Percival, Adam Swift, Jordan Turner, Luke Walsh, Kyle Amor, James Roby, Greg Richards, Joe Greenwood, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Jon Wilkin
Subs: Alex Walmsley, Atelea Vea, Luke Thompson, Morgan Knowles
Tries: Lomax
Goals: Walsh (3)
Kurt Gidley is congratulated on the opening try – ALL PICTURES EDDIE WHITHAM
The Wolves players salute the fans – ALL PICTURES EDDIE WHITHAM
FOR A GALLERY OF PICTURES CLICK HERE
Congratulations to @wolvesrl on reaching the Grand Final on a terrific night at the Halliwell Jones #oldtrafford #thirdtimelucky 🏆👍 pic.twitter.com/F2zJc1eqnc
— warrington-worldwide (@warringtonworld) September 29, 2016
Boooooooooooooom!#itsalwaysouryear
— ryan atkins (@rararyan85) September 29, 2016
Can’t believe we’re off to OT…Thanks to the players & coaches…they made my day
— Wolfie (@Wolfie__1) September 29, 2016
Big game night finished, big recovery starts now with our partners @MyproteinUK @ratch06 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/4DgyP369X9
— Warrington Wolves (@wolvesrl) September 29, 2016
Old Trafford here we come!!! 🏉🏉🏉
— Ben Currie (@BenoCurrie) September 29, 2016
See you at #GrandFinal2016 @wolvesrl! 👏 pic.twitter.com/wHCqU0NMJN
— Super League (@SuperLeague) September 29, 2016
1 Comment
TWO finals and League Leaders – not a bad season! Now for the big one!