WARRINGTON Wolves’ suffered more heartbreak and misery against St Helens as they surrendered a 0-14 lead early in the second half eventually crashing 26-14.
The margin of defeat would have been even greater if Saints’ Sean long had not left his kicking boots at home, missing five conversion attempts.
It had started so brightly for the Wolves when a try from new signing Mickey Higham against his former club lifted Warrington’s hopes as they attempted to record their first win at Knowsley Road in 15 years.
The live wire hooker dived over from dummy half six minutes from the break to give Warrington a valuable 0-8 half-time lead.
When a superb off-load from Chris Riley sent Paul Rauhihi crashing over after 45 minutes to open up a 0-14 lead Warrington looked on course to break their St Helens jinx.
Winger Chris Hicks had broken the deadlock in a tight encounter with a penalty on 30 minutes when Rauhihi took a high shot. Hicks added Higham’s try to give the Wolves their half-time lead.
Warrington had a lucky escape early on when Saints winger Ade Gardener just put a foot in touch as he squeezed in at the corner to be denied by the video ref.
The Wolves who looked strong going up the middle nearly broke through on 18 minutes as Matt King broke clear, only for his pass to hit winger Kev Penny on the shoulder.
With a penalty count of 6-1 against in the opening quarter Warrington did well to keep Saints at bay.
Ben Westwood was held up over the line on 26 minutes and lost control of the ball and then a minute later Chris Riley missed a golden opportunity when he passed to Gardener when King had an over lap in the corner.
But Warrington finished the half stronger and were good value for their 0-8 lead.
But Rauhihi’s early second half score was the last time Warrington came near to scoring.
The turning point came in the 48th minute when Gareth Carvell was harshly adjudged to have knocked on when it looked like the ball had been ripped from his control in a two man tackle. From the resulting scrum Gilmour left Paul Johnson in his wake to score wide out and start the Saints fightback.
It was then nearly all one way traffic as Warrington couldn’t get hold of the ball as tries from Gardner (53), Gidley twice (63),(68), Graham (73) and youngster Tom Armstrong in the final minute put the Wolves to the sword.
Long was only able to add one conversion but by the final hooter Warrington were out on their feet and well beaten.
WARRINGTON Wolves' suffered more heartbreak and misery against St Helens as they surrendered a 0-14 lead early in the second half eventually crashing 26-14.
Same old story!
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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
