Warrington Wolves have returned to the top of Super League after an 18-6 victory over St Helens.
After Saints opened the scoring through Tristan Sailor, a score from Albert Hopoate on the stroke of half-time levelled the game going into the break.
However, after no points were scored by the home side in the second half, tries from Josh Smith and Ewan Irwin would be enough to see Sam Burgess’ side take the two points.
Injuries to Saints veteran Jonny Lomax and Wire youngster Zack Gardner are just some of the key talking points from this evening’s game.
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St Helens v Warrington Wolves talking points
Burgess’ Saints streak continues:
Warrington boss Burgess has now extended his winning run as head coach against St Helens to 9-0, with the England legend still unbeaten in games against the Red Vee.
The Wolves were far from perfect, but with their squad numbers one, six and seven all injured, they were able to still come away with the two points and push themselves to the top of the table.
Stand-in full-back Josh Thewlis was outstanding, making countless try-saving tackles to stop certain St Helens scores.
The Wire win also means that Paul Rowley has now lost his 100% home record, with the side losing at home for the first time this season.
Injuries galore as mouthguards wreak havoc:
It was a brutal contest at the Brewdog Stadium, with neither side willing to let up. That showed by the fact that FOUR players had to leave the field for HIA’s, with a fifth leaving the field in what was his first appearance of the year.
Just eight minutes into the contest, Zack Gardner left the field with what turned out to be a dislocated shoulder. That forced Kelepi Tanginoa to come on to the field and slot into the centres.
It would be Saints who then had the injury curse, with Jonny Lomax, Jake Davies and Mark Percival all leaving the field. Lomax’s knock would turn out to be a serious jaw injury that saw him sent to hospital, per Sky Sports. Davies looked groggy, whilst Percival was frustrated at having to leave the action due to the compulsory mouthguard flashing up.
Warrington’s Jordy Crowther also needed a HIA due to the mouthguard. All three players passed their head tests and were able to return.
Stand-off Sailor:
Lomax’s injury forced a Saints reshuffle, and for the first time in eight matches, it meant that the club’s number six, Sailor, actually played in that position.
It took just mere minutes for him to make an impact, with the Australian crossing for the first try of the game thanks to a piece of individual brilliance.
In the second half, he narrowly misjudged a 40/20, and kicked the ball out on the full, handing Wire possession.
Whilst he certainly posed more of a threat than Jack Welsby, it would be a mixed night for the playmaker, who showed promising signs, but couldn’t
England’s future halves on show:
There is no doubt that both Warrington and Saints have two of the best academies in Super League, and it is brilliant to see both of those teams backing their youth.
All four starting half-backs were homegrown academy products, with George Whitby, Ewan Irwin and Leon Hayes all strutting their stuff in one of the biggest games of the league season.
Irwin will take the headlines after his match-winning try, but even in defeat Whitby showed some promising signs, whilst Hayes also produced some glimpses.
With Leeds Rhinos set to hand George Brown the number six shirt next year and Jack Farrimond and George Marsden shining for Wigan Warriors, the future of England’s half-backs is bright, and there will be plenty of superstars to choose from in years to come.
Warrington Wolves
Super League switch looms as Warrington Wolves half-back exits club
