WARRINGTON Wolves gate crashed St Helens League Leaders Shield party with an impressive 12-39 victory at Langtree Park, which means Saints must wait another week to see if they can lift the trophy.
But the victory came at a cost as Simon Grix was stretchered off with a badly broken leg while joint captain Ben Westwood limped off with a leg injury.
Table topping Saints, who only needed a point to secure the trophy, seemed well on course as they opened up the Wolves defence with relative ease in the third minute when Paul Wellens off-loaded allowing Shannon McDonnell to score under the sticks with Tom Makinson converting to make it 6-0.
But Warrington hit back on seven minutes when Richie Myler linked up with Stefan Ratcford, who side stepped his way over the line to touchdown but was wide with the conversion making it 6-4.
With Tony Smith using his eighth half-back combination of the season with Myler partnering up with Gaz O’Brien, Warrington started to take control but then on 17 minutes Grix was pushed back on his leg which appeared to break as he fell backwards under the weight of several tacklers.
There was then a lengthy delay as he was stretchered off in obvious agony.
But within a minute of the re-start Warrington took a lead they were never to lose as Michael Monaghan dummied his way over the line. Ratchford make no mistake this time making it 6-10.
Then on 22 minutes it was O’Brien’s turn to dummy his way over with Ratchford’s conversion making it 6-16.
Two minutes later Warrington were over again as Trent Waterhouse broke clear, passing to Myler who then sent the supporting Joel Monaghan racing clear to slide under the sticks. Ratchford made it 6-22.
Saints briefly threatened a fightback as Willie Manu went over on 30 minutes with Makinson on target to make it 12-22.
Just beforte the break Myler slotted over a drop-goal.
After soaking up early Saints pressure at the start of the second half Warrington scored with their first attack as Myler dummied his way over but Ratchford was just wide with the conversion making it 12-27.
On 52 minutes Saints surrendered possession again and from the free play Joel Monaghan (pictured top) celebrated his 100th Super League try in his 99th appearance with Ratchford’s goal making it 12-33 and pretty much game over.
An interception try from Ryan Atkins rubbed salt in the wounds, with O’Brien taking over the kiking duties to complete the scoring at 12-39.
Micky Higham had a late effort ruled out by the video referee for a knock on.
Saints must now travel to Huddersfield in their final league game and get at least a point if they are to lift the league leader’s shield.
It was Warrington’s fourth consecutive league victory against Saints at Langtree Park which has proved a happy hunting ground compared to the old Knowsley Round ground, although they tasted defeat their against Leeds in the Challenge Cup semi-final.
Ryan Atkins celebrates his interception try
FOR PICTURES FROM THE GAME CLICK HERE
Smith delighted with victory – click here to hear his thoughts on the game
St Helens: Shannon McDonnell, Tommy Makinson, Matty Dawson, Josh Jones, Adam Swift; Lance Hohaia, Paul Wellens; Kyle Amor, James Roby, Alex Walmsley, Anthony Laffranchi, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Jordan Turner. Subs: Mose Masoe, Sia Soliola, Willie Manu, Mark Flanagan.
Wolves: Matty Russell, Joel Monaghan, Ryan Atkins, Stefan Ratchford, Rhys Evans; Gareth O’Brien, Richie Myler; Chris Hill, Michael Monaghan, Ben Harrison, James Laithwaite, Ben Westwood, Simon Grix. Subs: Micky Higham, Roy Asotasi, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Currie.
