WARRINGTON Wolves must feel like they are in “Ground Hog Day” after losing yet another titanic clash with arch rivals St Helens in one of the most thrilling Challenge Cup clashes of all time as they were edged out 40-34.
Young winger Kevin Penny (pictured) went from hero to villain after scoring one of the best tries ever seen and then spilling the ball and gifting Saints a way back into the game.
Birthday boy Adrian Morley who led by example with a top display and Chris Hicks crossed for the Wolves while Willie Talau, Chris Flannery and Francis Meli scored for Saints to lead 18-14 at the break.
Hicks levelled for Warrington and Ade Gardner put Saints back in front before Kevin Penny’s superb long-range score.
With Saints pressing hard Michael Monoghan cleared fropm behind his own sticks to put Hicks in the clear who then sent Penny away for the try of the game from a sensational length of the field move.
But back came Saints with tries from Talau, Paul Clough, following Penny’s blunder and Lee Gilmour to lead 40-24 before Ben Westwood and Simon Grix struck late on. It was a thrilling cup tie in which the lead exchanged hands on seven occasions as both teams competed for a place in the quarter-finals.
Had the Wolves shown a little more composure at crucial moments they may well have won the game but Saints showed why they are a champion team, pulling away with three unanswered tries when the game was in the balance.
It had been so different early on, with Warrington props Morley and Paul Rauhihi laying a superb platform. But as always a game lasts 80 minutes and the Wolve swere left to rue their mistakes.
Warrington coach Paul Cullen, who must have been bitterly disappointed put on a brave face after the game saying: “We have played our part in what was an absolute rugby league classic. We have got to offer the headlines to the quality of the play.
“The players have given everything. It was a massive effort.
“Saints just have that fraction of an edge when it came to their big game winning mentality.”
Wolves lose out in thriller
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
