WARRINGTON Wolves picked up their third win of the season over derby rivals St Helens in a physical battle at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The win confirms Warrington can finish no lower than third in Super League.

Wire made a nightmare start gifting two penalties, the second of which saw Jon Bennison kick two points from close range to give the visitors the lead.

It was worse when Fitzgibbon was sent to the sin bin for a late hit. Controversially it came after a long injury. Minutes later though and Matty Lees joined him for a high shot on Josh Drinkwater - also after the video ref got involved.

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The game was scrappy with numerous errors and when Walmsley dropped the ball near half way on 19 minutes, Matty Ashton pounced to tear in with Josh Thewlis converting impressively and giving Wire a deserved 6-2 lead.

The game remained tight, Toby King coming so close to scoring. But just before half time and on the back of a Saints penalty, George Williams took on the line and found Jordy Crowther on his inside to dot down. An easy conversion gave Wire a 12-2 half time lead.

It would get better three minutes into the second half when Thewlis kicked a penalty after Saints were offside from the scrum to stretch the lead to 14-2.

Another penalty on 49 minutes allowed Warrington to stretch the lead to 16-2.

The rest of the half stayed scoreless in a physical battle which will do Warrington no harm as the play offs loom.

Super League, Round 25

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Warrington Wolves... 16 St Helens ... 2

Wolves: Cai Taylor-Wray; Josh Thewlis, Rodrick Tai, Toby King, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Josh Drinkwater; Luke Yates, Sam Powell, Zane Musgrove, John Bateman, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Ben Currie. Subs: Matty Nicholson, Joe Philbin, Danny Walker, Jordy Crowther. 18th man: Tom Whitehead.

Saints: Harry Robertson; Tee Ritson, Waqa Blake, Sione Mata'utia, Jon Bennison; Johnny Lomax, Moses Mbye; Alex Walmsley, Jake Burns, Matty Lees; Matt Whitley, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles. Subs: Jack Welsby, Agnatius Paasi, George Delaney, Jonathon Vaughan. 18th man: Ben Davies

Scoring: Bennison goal 4mins 0-2; Ashton try, Thewlis goal 18mins 6-2; Crowther try, Thewlis goal 37 mins 12-2; Thewlis penalty 43 mins 14-2; Thewlis penalty 49 mins 16-2

Penalties: Wolves  9 Saints 10

Sin binning: 8 mins Fitzgibbon; 13 mins Lees, high shot; 80 mins Thewlis

Referee: Chris Kendall

Attendance: 12,015

Star Man: John Bateman