Wolves hungry for double after shock Challenge Cup win
Price says Super League crown is the next target Pressure on favourites Saints to rebuild season
Warrington coach Steve Price, who began the day claiming his side were the biggest underdogs in Challenge Cup final history, ended it by talking up their chances of doing the double, and why not?
Price’s men did enough to justify all the superlatives after they beat St Helens 18-4 on Saturday, but the question now will be whether they can be crowned champions of England for the first time since 1955.
Armed with the ambition and spending power of wealthy owners Simon Moran and Stuart Middleton, the Wolves lifted their fourth Challenge Cup in 11 years.
Yet that alone will not be enough to satisfy the hungry Wolves and their fan base. Australian Price, who tasted defeat at Wembley and Old Trafford in his debut season last year, said: “We’ve got a special group of men and we’re going for the big one [Super League title] at the end of the season as well.
“There are special times ahead and we have got a lot of belief and confidence going forward now. All the pressure was on St Helens. They have been the most consistent team for the last 18 months, and it took a special performance to beat them.”
Nobody epitomised the Wolves’ desire more than hooker Daryl Clark, who won the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match.
The England international lost at Wembley with Castleford in 2014 before suffering defeat with Warrington in 2016 and 2018.
“I have been here three times before and not picked up the trophy, which is heartbreaking,” Clark said. “To finally get my hands on it is special and to win the Lance Todd Trophy as well just tops it off.”
Warrington were missing key playmaker Blake Austin through injury and runaway Super League leaders Saints were at full strength. Yet Price’s game plan worked to perfection and tries from Joe Philbin and Ben Murdoch-masila put them 12-0 up at the break.
Saints rallied through Theo Fages but Clark countered with a third Warrington try. He said: “We went under the radar all week. We stuck to our game plan. We knew we could shock everyone.”
The result raises questions about Saints’ ability to produce when it matters as the play-offs loom.
Saints coach Justin Holbrook admitted that Warrington were worthy victors, but they enjoyed more than a touch of good fortune.
Referee Robert Hicks missed Morgan Knowles grounding the ball in the third minute and did not even refer the incident to the video referee. Saints captain James Roby said: “He should have checked that, but he didn’t. We’re heartbroken and massively disappointed.”
St Helens
Warrington Referee