Pictures Eddie Whitham
WARRINGTON Wolves paid the penalty for too many errors as they lost out 12-30 to league leaders St Helens.
While the visitors mainated their 100 per cent start to the season with five from five at a rain swept Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, suffered their fourth defeat in the opening six games, with a trip to bottom of the league Catlan Dragons next weekend.
A hat-trick of tries from man-of-the-match Mark Percival’s hat-trick helped Super League leaders St Helens maintain their 100% start to the season.
In a close first half Percival shrugged off two tackles to cross for Saints, before Toby King hit back for the Wolves. A Danny Richardson’s penalty ensured the visitors went in 6-8 at the break.
Warrignton had a shocking start to the second half as they turned over possession from unforced errors as a try from James Roby darted over from close range to extended the St Helens lead.
But Toby King’s brilliant off load sent Harvey Livett over for the hosts with Ratchford converting from out wide.
But Percival secured victory for St Helens with two more tries, with Danny Richardson’s late try adding to Warrington’s woes.
Warrington had applied more of the early pressure, but they were unable to convert their opportunities as both sides struggled to handle the ball in wet weather conditions.
Tom Lineham was held up over the line moments after Percival crossed for Saints while Regan Grace prevented Ryan Atkins from grounding the ball for Wolves on his 350th career appearance.
The victory saw Saints move two points clear at the top of the table while Warrington are eighth, having won just two of their first six matches.
After the game Wolves Head Coach Steve Price conceded his side had lost to the “better team” and was again left frustrated by seeing his side give away too many penalties.
Warrington: Ratchford; Lineham, T King, Atkins, M Brown; K Brown, Roberts; Hill, Clark, Cooper, Murdoch-Masila, Hughes, Westwood.
Replacements: Crosby, Philbin, G King, Livett.
St Helens: Barba; Swift, Makinson, Percival, Grace; Lomax, Richardson; Amor, Roby, Thompson, Taia, Peyroux, McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Replacements: Fages, Walmsley, Douglas, Lees.
Warrington (6) 12
Tries: T King, Livett Goals: Ratchford 2
St Helens (8) 30
Tries: Percival 3, Roby, Richardson Goals: Richardson 5
“We thought we had them at half time but unfortunately they got the better of us in that second half.”
Harvey Livett reflects on tonight’s defeat to @Saints1890 pic.twitter.com/ggyQwjaeqr
— Warrington Wolves (@wolvesrl) March 9, 2018
expected that result,
the team show more interest in their social media accounts than playin Rugby,— $oapy (del) (@derrydelsoper) March 9, 2018
Woeful. Again.
— Rory Houghton (@RoryHoughton) March 9, 2018
No offensive ideas yet again. Too many times looking to score on the high kick. Where has the attacking dynamics gone?
— Drew (@wiresfandrew) March 9, 2018
No desire no plan injuries hitting us now not looking good
— Ran Young (@Ran1ry) March 9, 2018
