Wolves fail to lift Saints hoodoo

WARRINGTON Wolves have only themselves to blame after once again failing to lift their St Helens hoodoo in a see-saw thriller as they were edged out 24-26 at the Halliwell Jones tonight.
After gifting Saints a 10 point start Warrington showed plenty of character to get back into the game as the lead exchanged handson several occasions.
The Wolves – who are still lokking for their first Super League win over St Helens since 2001 – even had their chance to grab a draw towards the end of the tough encounter.
However man-of the match Ben Westwood who powered over for two of the Wolves’ four tries was unable to add the relatively straight forward conversion, pushing his kick just inches wide of the right upright.
St Helens had surged into a 10-0 lead despite barely posing a threat as an attacking force as Warrington threw away some gilt edged chances.
Saints scored with their first attack when Matty Ashurst forced his way over from James Graham’s pass with plenty of question marks over Warrington’s defending.
Foster added the conversion and then scored the second try himself, accepting Leon Pryce’s long ball out wide to canter over in the corner.
Warrington coach Tony Smith responded by throwing on three substitutes – and it was a pair of his
replacements that got the home team up and running.
David Solomona surged towards the line offloading the ball when surrounded by four defenders, allowing Paul Wood to power over the line from close range for only his second try of the campaign.
Wood then went from scorer to provider, managing to get the ball away to set up Jon Clarke for a try (pictured) that was converted by Westwood to make it 12-10.
But Warrington’s joy was short-lived, though, as Francis Meli – playing at centre rather than his usual position on the wing – held off Matt King straight from a scrum to get over the line.
Foster added the conversion again before Westwood rounded out the first half with a long-range
penalty that left the Wolves trailing by two.
The see-saw clash saw the lead change hands again on 49 minutes, Westwood taking Clarke’s pass to
touch down as he added the extras.
Back came Saints though, Wellens’ burst creating the chance for James Roby to touch down with Foster landing the touchline conversion.
They were then gifted a fifth try when Michael Monaghan’s wild pass went straight to Jon Wilkin
who sent Foster over out on the right for a try that was awarded after a lengthy look by video referee Steve Ganson.
Then came the crucial moment. Westwood collected Lee Briers’ grubber and touched the ball down
over the line – only to then fail to add the extras.
But it wasn’t Westwood’s miss which cost the Wolves the game, it was their numerous other missed opportunities when they threw the ball out of play on several occasions with the line at their mercy.
The miss was undeserved after a superb personal display by the England international. It also
leaves Warrington fans wondering just when they will ever get the better of St Helens.

Ben Westwood in try scoring action