Warrington go top with win at St Helens

Warrington Wolves have now won their past four Super League matches

Tries:SailorGoals:Sailor

Tries:Hopoate, Smith, IrwinGoals:Irwin 3

Warrington Wolves moved back to the top of the Super League table by coming from behind to beat St Helens.

Tristan Sailor got the hosts off the mark with his kick. chase, but Albert Hopoate went in just before the break to peg Saints back.

Josh Smith ran in from 80 metres to send Warrington in front. a St Helens error led to their third, and decisive, try.

Jack Welsby spilled Ewan Irwin's long-range kick. leading to the Wire gaining ground to mount another attack, with Irwin running in.

Victory for Warrington - their fourth win in a row - meant they leapfrogged Leeds as leaders.

St Helens' defeat was their third on the bounce. meant they lost further ground in the battle for top spot, with Paul Rowley's side fourth and with an inferior points difference to their rivals.

Zack Gardner's first game of the season for the Wire did not last long - the visitors were forced into an early change when he suffered a dislocated shoulder as he extended his arm to the ground following a tackle.

A bruising first half then saw the hosts lose Jonny Lomax after a quarter of an hour with what appeared to be a jaw injury. He was later taken to hospital for scans.

Soon after losing Lomax, however, Sailor spotted the space to run through. chase his own kick to go over for their first try.

St Helens almost rallied. added a quickfire second try when Owen Dagnall raced down the wing, but Josh Thewlis put in a try-saving tackle to deny him.

A brutal first half continued, with Saints pair Jake Davies. Mark Percival and Warrington's Jordy Crowther all leaving the field within minutes of each other for respective head-injury assessments.

There was still time in the half for Warrington to respond, however, as Josh Smith charged through. gained the ground needed to send Hopoate in on the verge of the hooter.

An attritional match continued in the second half. it took almost 15 minutes for the first score, which came when a wayward Saints kick was left to bounce and was met by Smith, who put in a lung-busting run to go in from distance and send the visitors in front for the first time in the match.

Jake Shorrocks went in hard on James Bentley as Saints continued to chase the game, with that incident being put on report,. minutes later Irwin made the difference as the visitors prospered from Welsby's error to eventually send him through.

Warrington finished the game with 12 players after Thewlis was shown a yellow card for a professional foul. having brought down Dagnall as he burst clean through down the wing with three minutes remaining.

St Helens head coach Paul Rowley:

"I thought we dominated the first half. We'd have liked to have got a few more points on the board, but credit to Warrington, they scrambled. defended very desperately.

"In contrast, the second half, Warrington dominated field position for large parts. we weren't able to defend as resiliently as them. They were tougher in tough moments. that doesn't roll of the tongue too easily to say that, but that's the fact of the matter. They were worthy of the win."

On Jonny Lomax:"He's in a pretty bad way. He took a very heavy knock and there's a bit of damage to his jaw and face.

"We send our best wishes. He's a champion bloke and player. He's got a battle on his hands to get back fit and well. He'll do what Jonny does and attack it, so he'll be okay I think."

On his team selection:"That's the players we had fit, so it picked itself really."

Warrington Wolves boss Sam Burgess:

"I thought it was an enjoyable win for the players. they've put a lot of effort in to get that win tonight. I thought Saints were very tough. They were very Saints-like tonight.

"I'm proud of the team because I think they deserved to win tonight. They won some big moments.

"It was a good victory for a lot of reasons. I really liked our defensive spirit and I was happy with that.

"There's a number of areas we can get be better. We need to tidy up a few things. We looked a bit clunky in a lot of areas, but it's a work in progress."

St Helens:Welsby; Dagnall, Whitley, Percival, Sailor; Whitby, Lomax; Walmsley, Clark, Klemmer, Sironen, Davies, Shorrocks.

Interchanges:Cross, Wright, Delaney, Suluka-Fifita.

Warrington:Thewlis; Hopoate, Smith, Gardiner, Ashton; Irwin, Hayes; Thomas, Walker, Byrne, Bentley, Harrison, Currie.

Interchanges:Powell, Sipley, Crowther, Tanginoa.

Referee:Aaron Moore.

**Author: Betfred Super League**