Winning games you could – and perhaps should – lose is the hallmark of a champion side in any sport, and St Helens again showed they have that trait in abundance with another dramatic last-gasp victory against one of their title rivals.
Throughout the history of Super League they have made a habit of snatching victory when they could have easily lost, and the last two weeks have been no different; they could have come up short against Huddersfield last week as well as against Warrington here yet instead they’ve beaten both at the death to move to the top of Super League.
Once again they had to do it tough, losing their captain Jon Wilkin after eight minutes due to injury, but the vice-captain James Roby led from the front and inspired them to what could be a huge victory come the Super 8s in a few weeks’ time after Jordan Turner’s late try proved to be the difference.
“I’d have taken the draw; I thought the game didn’t deserve a loser at times - both teams were great for long periods,” said the St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham. “But my lads never give up; I knew we’d get a chance and although I wasn’t sure if we’d score it, I knew we’d get a shot to win it.”
The game was again another fillip for Sky and their television selections; their last three televised matches in the past week have all been settled in the final two minutes – with the second half rightfully overshadowing a first period in which 16 penalties were awarded by the referee James Child. Warrington’s participation in the Super 8s is still not secure following the defeat, but only a freakish combination of results and a minor miracle in terms of points difference would consign them to the qualifiers.
They continue to be linked with a move for the half-back Chris Sandow ahead of the 24 July transfer deadline next week, and after another indifferent performance here their temptation to act in the transfer market could be growing by the day.
“Whatever will happen will happen,” said the Warrington coach, Tony Smith, when asked about a move for Sandow. “We’ve got a team here I’m focused on and I’m excited about the remainder of the season. If there’s a chance of adding to the squad then that’s exciting too – if it happens, it happens, but there’s only a week until the deadline.”
Wilkin’s departure to a hand injury after eight minutes rocked the Saints but they adjusted well, with Roby scoring the game’s opening try after 15 minutes. That try came from back-to-back penalties, and two more in the following set allowed Luke Walsh to add a penalty on to his earlier conversion to make it 8-0, before a try from Ben Currie a minute before the break reduced the gap to just two points.
The Warrington wing Kevin Penny then intercepted a long pass from Luke Walsh to put the home side in front after 50 minutes before the prop Mose Masoe showed why the NRL side St George have signed him for next season with a brilliant solo try to restore Saints’ lead. A penalty from O’Brien then levelled up matters with five minutes left to set up a thrilling finish, before Turner finished a superb break from the half-back Travis Burns to seal another dramatic victory for the Saints.
Warrington Russell; Ormsby, Atkins, Ratchford, Penny; O’Brien, Myler; Hill, Clark, Sims, Westwood, Currie, Harrison. Interchange Dwyer, England, Philbin, Asotasi
Tries Currie, Penny Goals O’Brien 2
St Helens Quinlan; Dawson, Percival, Turner, Swift; Burns, Walsh; Amor, Roby, Walmsley, Greenwood, Wilkin, Flanagan. Interchange Masoe, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Savelio, Richards. Tries Roby, Masoe, Turner Goals Walsh 3
Referee J Child Attendance 11,618
