Warrington Wolves 10-12 St Helens: Highlights, player ratings and talking points

Warrington Wolves took on St Helens tonight at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in a fast and frenetic affair.

Saints led 12-4 at half-time after tries from Alex Walmsley and Tommy Makinson, but it was all Warrington in the second forty minutes.

George Williams brought it back to within two but Saints somehow held on.

Highlights

Connor Wrench dancing down the wing and sending Gareth Widdop over was a joy to behold.

Agnatius Paasi’s ludicrous pass to Konrad Hurrell who then fed Tommy Mainson was astonishing for a forward.

Tommy Makinson’s touchline conversion on the stroke of half-time was superb.

George Williams’ try was brilliant; it involved a superb break from Gareth Widdop.

Talking points

1. Scrum flop

Super League teams have consistently been holding the ball in the scrum in order to get a penalty this season. Well, when Warrington tried to do that they were punished greatly as Saints pushed the scrum with Alex Walmsley grabbing the ball to score one of the easiest tries he will ever score.

2. Let’s get Iggy

How good was Agnatius Paasi? The former Gold Coast Titans and New Zealand Warriors monster was in a joyous mood with some huge runs to get Saints great field position.

3. Saints off colour?

It’s been a difficult few weeks for St Helens following their Challenge Cup exit, but they squandered too many chances against Warrington tonight. From Jack Welsby’s lost ball near the line to Konrad Hurrell’s close interception, on another day the Red Vee would have snapped those points up.

4. Widdop number one

Gareth Widdop’s performance tonight proved that he should be Warrington’s fullback going forward. He caught absolutely everything that went his way and had a marvellous game in attack, sending George Williams through for the try to make it 12-10. Widdop thoroughly deserves his ten rating.

Player ratings

Warrington Wolves

6 Gareth Widdop – 10
23 Connor Wrench- 9
3 Peter Mata’utia – 8
4 Toby King – 6
5 Matty Ashton – 7
1 Stefan Ratchford – 6
7 George Williams – 7
8 Joe Philbin – 7
9 Daryl Clark – 9
10 Mike Cooper – 7
11 Ben Currie – 7
12 Oliver Holmes – 8
18 Billy Magoulias – 6
Substitutes
14 Jason Clark – 6
15 Joe Bullock – 6
17 Matt Davis – 6
19 Rob Mulhern – 7

St Helens

1 Jack Welsby – 9
2 Tommy Makinson – 9
23 Konrad Hurrell – 7
11 Sione Mata’utia – 7
4 Mark Percival – 9
22 Ben Davies – 6
6 Jonny Lomax – 7
8 Alex Walmsley – 7
9 James Roby – 8
10 Matty Lees – 6
16 Curtis Sironen – 7
12 James Batchelor – 6
13 Morgan Knowles – 7
Substitutes
14 Joey Lussick – 7
15 LMS – 7
17 Agnatius Paasi – 8
20 James Bell – 7