Wolves show


fighting spirit

By Gary Skentelbery

WARRINGTON Wolves showed plenty of fighting spirit in a Wilderspool points bonanaza with St Helens as they bounced back from a possible massacre.
Trailing 0-28 in as many minutes and 12-44 early in the second half the Wolves managed to dig deep with a stunning fightback as they clawed back four tries without response to set up a grandstand finish.
If it hadn't been for a spell in the first half when Saints raced in for five tries in a stunning 15 minute spell, the Wolves may have pulled of a famous victory.
As it was they almost pulled off one of the greatest fightbacks of all time.
Saints were mising five regular first teamers, including half-backs Sean Long and Tommy Martyn, but they still ouzed class.
After a bright opening Warrington made the mistake of allowing Saints to run with the ball and they had no answer to the visiotrs electrifying pace.
An interception ry from Lee Briers and a close range effort from hooker Jon Clarke signalled the start of a possible comeback.
But when the visotrs scored either side of the interval it looked all over for the Wolves.
But young scrum-half Gary Hulse came on for skipper Matt Rodwell and instantly made a difference.
Another substitute, Paul Wood, finished off a weaving run followed by full-back David Alstead. Briers then fashioned tries for winger Rob Smyth and the on-loan Halliwell, to set up a grand stand finish.
But Saints managed to hang on.
Head Coach David Plange took heart form his sides rallying finish.
"St Helens played champagne football in the first half and it is very difficult to defend against.
"But we set ourselves goals for the second hal and we went out and earned respect. A few weeks ago if we had gone in at half time with a scoreline like that things could have gone horibly wrong. But the players showed a committed performance in the second half and showed they have character."

Picture shows hooker Jon Clarke about to force his way over the try line.