We’ve still Hol of a lot to play for

KEN SIO’S hat-trick made it six in a row for the rising Red Devils, to give Warrington a cup final hangover.

Salford were 12 points behind the Wolves before their last clash on July 12 but with the Wembley winners having lost all six Super League matches since, they are now level with two games to play.

It has been a remarkable run by Ian Watson’s troops, and on this evidence no side will relish facing them in the play-offs if they confirm a top-five spot.

Warrington had just one 45-minute training session in the wake of Saturday’s memorable Challenge Cup win over St Helens, but were within two points early in the second half.

They could not sustain that effort after the break though, and a third defeat of the season to Salford puts their play-offs place at risk.

The only first-half points came via a Krisnan Inu penalty before the Red Devils took control after the restart. Warrington winger Tom Lineham dropped a spiralling Tui Lolohea kick and Sio was on hand to finish from close range.

Eight minutes later Sio was over again after a Jake Mamo error on his own line gifted them another chance.

Superb passes from Kris Welham and Niall Evalds then allowed Sio to step inside two defenders and touch down.

The Red Devils scored again in the next set, with Jake Bibby finishing off an excellent move.

And Sio had his hat-trick when he scooped up a loose ball from Lineham and raced 80 metres to the line.

One more try would have seen Watson’s side leapfrog the Wolves into second place in the table but instead Danny Walker scored a late consolation for the visitors. JUSTIN HOLBROOK knows St Helens have to get over their Challenge Cup heartache – despite the League Leaders’ Shield being won.

They will lift the Shield tonight for the second consecutive year.

But the coach wants his team to keep their foot on the pedal ahead of the play-offs, after being out-played by Warrington at Wembley.

Holbrook said: “We’ve got to get up for it. The weekend was disappointing but we need to be ready.”

Meanwhile, Sika Manu wants to leave Hull FC with a Grand Final win.

The Tonga captain, 32, who hangs up his boots at the end of the season, said: “Hopefully I will be able to give the fans one last treat.

“We can still make the play-offs and the Grand Final, so that’s the aim.”