Alex Walmsley controversially sin binned

Alex Walmsley has been sin binned as St Helens battle against Warrington Wolves for a semi-final spot alongside the likes of Wigan Warriors, Hull KR and Catalans Dragons.

He has been sin binned for contact with the head. This was a tackle on Jordy Crowther and he was saved from a red card by the fact Crowther was headed down.

His shoulder collided with Crowther’s head in a nasty contact. It was accidental but the law is the law and he has avoided a red card for the incident.

With a semi-final awaiting against Wigan Warriors or Catalans Dragons for St Helens and Warrington Wolves met in a massive game.

A big game always, they are two major rivals hoping to sustain their title hopes. Saints went into the game having been champions for 1449 days whilst Warrington have never held the Super League title.

It was also 1,821 days since Saints lost a play off game which came against Warrington in 2018 – 18-13.

It was also a final home game for St Helens legends James Roby and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.

The Saints showed some early brilliance when a lovely move sent Tommy Makinson down field.

He kicked ahead and Matty Ashton cleared up in a play that cost the Saints Joe Batchelor.

The Saints squandered the next possession but again blew holes into the Warrington defence with Morgan Knowles powering through before a short James Bell pass looked set to put Mark Percival through a gap to score but he lost the ball.

We saw another excellent break from Saints when Jack Welsby wrong footed Jordy Crowther and broke down field but great cover defence from James Harrison and Matt Dufty denied him.

But eventually Saints opened the deadlock with a short ball to Curtis Sironen and he found Lewis Dodd in support to score under the sticks.

The Wolves weren’t being out played but were undercutting some of their great kicks by penalties and errors.

They did have a few openings in the first half including a break by George Williams tackled by James Roby.

But eventually Saints extended their lead to 8-0 after a Josh Drinkwater tip tackle on Jack Welsby.

The Wolves did get themselves back into the game in the second half after a sweeping move set Connor Wrench free and he dummied up against Jack Welsby.

It was nearly the wrong decision as he slipped but in the end he got over the line.