Warrington Wolves beat St Helens in golden-point thriller

And they did so in the most dramatic circumstances, with George Williams slotting a drop goal in golden point to decide a thrilling eliminator tie against neighbours St Helens

The Wire had come from 12 points down to lead 22-16 going into the final moments, but Jon Bennison’s try and Mark Percival’s nerveless conversion sent the game to the extra period.

And after having one effort charged down, Williams made no mistake with his second attempt to send The Halliwell Jones Stadium into raptures.

George Williams watches on as his drop goal sails over the posts to decide the game (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures) Both King and Ashton had also scored in the first half as Sam Burgess’ side booked a semi-final trip to Hull KR, which will take place on Friday.

It had been the perfect start for The Wire, with Tommy Makinson dropping the kick-off and from the resulting set, an overlap was worked to the left for King to crash over.

Celebrations that followed Toby King's second-minute opener (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures) Makinson and Saints would respond, however, with the winger producing an acrobatic finish in the corner and then crashing over after Warrington were caught out on their short side either side of Mark Percival touching down on the other side.

The home crowd were stunned, but Ashton ensured they went into the second half with momentum by touching down just before the interval to keep their side in touch.

Matty Ashton touches down in the first half (Image: SWPix.com) It was a platform they built upon after the break, with Williams’ flat ball putting King over before a Saints error resulted in Ashton being sent screaming over the line shortly afterwards.

That looked sufficient to win it, but Saints had other ideas as Bennison acrobatically dived over the line, with Percival defying the deafening noise trying to put him off to nail the touchline conversion and send the game into extra time.

As golden point got underway, Saints then conceded a penalty for a high tackle to set Williams up for his first attempt, which was charged down by Morgan Knowles.

However, as they tried to escape their own half, Percival shanked a kick out on the full to put Warrington back on the attack and this time, Williams made no mistake.

Warrington beat St Helens in golden-point thriller - post-match reaction

> STAT ATTACK: Currie's mammoth effort and Philbin shifts the momentum

> THE MORNING AFTER: One of the HJ's best ever matches?

> Watch the moment George Williams kicked Wire into the semi-finals

> How to get tickets for Warrington Wolves' semi-final clash at Hull KR

> Everything Sam Burgess said after Wire's dramatic play-off victory

> WIRE SOCIAL: How fans have reacted to the most dramatic of victories

> Re-live all the action from The Halliwell Jones Stadium as it happened here

Match facts:

Super League, eliminator

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Warrington Wolves...23 St Helens...22

Wolves: Matt Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Rodrick Tai, Toby King, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Josh Drinkwater; Luke Yates, Danny Walker, Zane Musgrove, John Bateman, Matty Nicholson, Ben Currie. Subs: Paul Vaughan, James Harrison, Sam Powell, Joe Philbin. 18th man: Arron Lindop

Saints: Jack Welsby; Tommy Makinson, Sione Mata'utia, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison; Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd; Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Matt Whitley, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles. Subs: Agnatius Paasi, James Bell, George Delaney, Jake Burns. 18th man: Ben Davies

Scoring: King try, 2mins, 4-0; Makinson try, 12mins, Percival goal, 4-6; Percival try, 25mins, Percival goal, 4-12; Makinson try, 32mins, 4-16; Ashton try, 36mins, Thewlis goal, 10-16; King try, 55mins, Thewlis goal, 16-16; Ashton try, 66mins, Thewlis goal, 22-16; Bennison try, 79mins, Percival goal, 22-22; Williams drop goal, 84mins, 23-22

Penalties: Wolves 5 Saints 2

Referee: Liam Moore

Attendance: 12,111

(Image: SWPix.com)