St Helens stretch lead at top after comeback win over Warrington

St Helens put one hand on the League Leaders’ Shield after claiming a 21-10 victory in a pulsating Betfred Super League derby clash against nearest rivals Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The win sees Saints move eight points clear of the Wolves at the top of the table with just nine games remaining and it would take an almighty collapse by Justin Holbrook’s side to stop them finishing top of the pile in 2019.

The game between Super League’s top two lived up to all expectations with both sides throwing everything into the game in an intense 80 minutes of breathless action.

Saints, who opted not to give a debut to rugby union convert Luther Burrell, trailed 6-0 early in the second half but tries from Mark Percival, Luke Thompson and Alex Walmsley and four goals and a drop goal from Lachlan Coote took the visitors to victory.

Warrington’s points came from a Jake Mamo try and three goals from Declan Patton.

“It was as good as it can get for me,” said St Helens coach Justin Holbrook. “It was the toughest game I’ve been involved in, that’s for sure. Warrington didn’t give an inch and I was extremely proud of my side to do the same.”

Wigan leapfrogged Salford into the play-off places with a 28-12 win at the DW Stadium.

Winger Liam Marshall scored twice for the Warriors who clearly enjoyed playing at home for the first time in almost two months on their way to a fourth straight win.

Stand-off George Williams produced another eye-catching display in his 150th game for Wigan, who lost inspirational captain Sean O’loughlin to injury after only two minutes.

Tyler Randell scored a hat-trick as Wakefield beat Huddersfield 36-10 to record their third Super League win against the Giants this season.

Trinity hooker Randell touched down twice in the first half and raced clear for a third late on as Chris Chester’s side ended a six-match losing streak in all competitions.

The result leaves Huddersfield, who failed to register a single point during the second half, just two points off the foot of the table as the battle to avoid relegation grows increasingly congested.

Simon Woolford’s visitors scored tries through Alex Mellor and Louis Senior but they lost secondrower Dale Ferguson to injury at the start of the second half and from there Wakefield took control.