Aussie ace’s Man of Steel form
Big Ben times it just right to spur Saints
Warrington 14 St Helens 34
Gareth Walker
BEN BARBA was back to his brilliant best as St Helens laid down a marker for the Super League semi-finals.
The Aussie full-back, dogged by minor injuries and constant reports of a return Down Under, fell away from the form that had him tipped as a runaway Man of Steel winner.
But coach Justin Holbrook always believed in his man and Barba repaid that faith by scoring two tries and creating another.
And he applauded the Saints supporters who mimic opposition fans chants of “Barba’s going home”.
Warrington lost half-backs Tyrone Roberts (concussion) and Kevin Brown (abductor) to early injuries, but will need to improve their defence in time for the return in a fortnight.
Holbrook said: “I’ve defended Ben for the last six to eight weeks and for good reasons because he had niggling injuries to get over.
“Once the physio told me he was, then I was confident.
“When you’re one of the elite players and you’re not 100 per cent, you come back into the pack. Ben showed what he can do and Jonny Lomax was brilliant again.”
Dominant
Holbrook’s side were only 8-6 ahead in the 40th minute, but Regan Grace’s try right on half-time sparked a dominant second half.
Before that, Saints had Matty Lees sin-binned for a clash that led to Roberts’ going off, with Mark Percival and Ryan Atkins also seeing yellow for the ensuing melee.
Kevin Brown and Luke Douglas traded tries before Grace struck, and it was almost all St Helens and Barba after the break.
Percival’s superb pass sent Lomax over before Ryan Morgan broke for Danny Richardson to score.
Barba bagged his brace, with Wolves’ responses from Toby King and Bryson Goodwin counting for little.
Warrington coach Steve Price said: “It’s difficult for any team that loses both key playmakers.
“Today’s result won’t matter too much in two weeks but we’ve got a bit of work to do.”
Tries: K Brown, T King, Goodwin; Goal: Patton. Tries: Barba 2, Douglas, Grace, Lomax, Richardson; Goals: Richardson 5.