Morley off as


Wolves wilt


by Gary Skentelbery


IF losing wasn't bad enough Warrington had to endure St Helens sealing top spot in the Super League table with a 36-16 victory.
With Leeds losing at home to Hull, Saints picked up the two points they needed to secure themselves a third straight minor premiership.
Francis Meli led the way with a hat-trick for the hosts at Knowsley Road, and if losing wasn't a big enough blow to the Wolves' play-off hopes, they saw influential forward Adrian Morley sent off.
The match was already over as a contest when the Great Britain international was given his marching orders in the 68th minute for a high tackle.
Saints were already well on their way to victory after overcoming a sluggish start and an early deficit.
Lee Briers' two early penalties gave the Wolves an early 4-0 advantage and raised hopes they could record their first win at St Helens in 13 years.
Their lead did not last for long though, Lee Gilmour barging his way over midway through the first half and then Meli grabbing his first in the left corner soon after.
The New Zealander added another before the break following a try for his wing partner on the opposite flank, Ade Gardner.
In between Kevin Penny crossed for Warrington, the youngster notching his 13th try in 12 matches.
They scored again on the hour when Martin Gleeseon weaved his way over against his former club, although by then Saints had already added to their tally with tries from James Roby and Meli.
Morley's dismissal rubbed salt in the Wolves' wounds late on and their misery was complete when Leon Pryce scored Saint's seventh.
Stand-in kicker Paul Wellens managed three conversions and a penalty as Saints extended their Super League record against Warrington to an impressive 28-1 !
St Helens
Tries: Gilmour, Pryce, Gardner, Meli (3), Roby
Goals: Wellens (4)

Gleeson, Penny,
Goals: Briers (4),
Att: 11,746