Jon Wilkin dismisses forward pass complaints about St Helens try

Warrington Wolves are hoping to end St Helens’ 1449 day reign as Super League Champions today and book a semi-final clash against Wigan Warriors next week.

But they found themselves 8-0 down at the break thanks to a Lewis Dodd try.

But this was controversially awarded with a suspicion of a forward pass in the build up from James Bell.

Terry O’Connor on Sky Sports said he felt it was forward but at halftime Jon Wilkin disagreed with this assessment calling it a “line ball.”

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.