St Helens produced a second-half fightback to defeat Warrington on Magic Weekend
Last Updated: 01/06/15 12:58pm
St Helens have gone back up to second in the Super League table after fighting back from 16-8 down to defeat Warrington 20-16 on Magic Weekend at St James’ Park.
Previous Magic Weekend meetings between the sides had favoured Warrington, with the Wolves winning 41-24 and 48-22 at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
But Newcastle proved a happier hunting ground for St Helens and Jon Wilkin got the match-winning try on his return from a one-match ban.
Stefan Ratchford was very impressive at full-back for Warrington and gave them a 10th minute lead when he glided through the defence for a solo score after receiving from Ben Currie.
And the Wolves scored again six minutes later when stand-off Declan Patton produced a lovely grubber kick and loose forward Ben Harrison touched down.
However, Ratchford put both conversion attempts wide and then failed to gather a Wilkin kick which took a wicked bounce, allowing Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook to score under the posts and get St Helens up and running just after the 20-minute mark.
Tom Makinson converted that try and he then kicked a penalty to level the scores at 8-8.
However, Warrington finished the half well and scored a third try when Patton put Ryan Atkins through the defence.
Chris Bridge kicked the conversion and went on to stretch his side's lead to 16-8 at half-time with a penalty.
The first score after the break was likely to be key and Warrington almost got it but Richie Myler was denied by desperate Saints defending after initially breaking clear.
And St Helens then reduced their deficit after 48 minutes when Jordan Turner broke a tackle 20 metres out and then sent wing Adam Swift over for his 11th try of the campaign.
Makinson could not add the extras and was then forced out of play when he looked set to score in the corner.
But Saints grabbed the lead for good after 58 minutes when Wilkin forced his way over from close range, the video ref confirming he had scored, and Makinson converted.
McCarthy-Scarsbrook was then held up over the line as St Helens looked to wrap it up but Warrington began to pile on the pressure in the closing stages, while Saints defended valiantly.
The inspired Ratchford appeared to have got Gene Ormsby over in the corner for a spectacular try with 10 minutes left but video referee Phil Bentham disallowed the try for an earlier infringement.
And the final scoring of a hard-fought encounter came when Makinson kicked a penalty six minutes from the end.
