Warrington Wolves secured a significant victory over St Helens, defeating them 32-18 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on April 24, 2025. This win marks Warrington's third consecutive triumph over their local rivals in just six weeks, further solidifying their position in the Super League standings.
The match started with an explosive performance from Warrington, who were eager to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Leigh Leopards the previous weekend. Toby King opened the scoring for the Wolves, showcasing his strength by breaking through the St Helens defense to score in the left corner just 14 minutes into the game. This early lead set the tone for Warrington, who capitalized on St Helens' defensive frailties.
Matty Ashton, who has been in sensational form this season, quickly followed up with his first try of the night at the 22-minute mark. With quick hands from his teammates, Ashton found himself in space and dove into the corner to extend Warrington's lead to 10-0 after Marc Sneyd successfully converted the try.
However, St Helens responded swiftly. Jon Bennison managed to break through the Warrington defense and score in the right corner, narrowing the gap to 10-4. This sparked a fierce back-and-forth as both teams fought for dominance on the field.
Ashton was not done yet; he scored his second try just minutes later, putting Warrington ahead 16-4. The momentum shifted again as Mark Percival scored twice for St Helens, first with a powerful run to touch down and then again just before halftime, leaving the score at 16-14 as the teams headed into the break.
The second half saw Ashton complete his hat-trick just a minute after play resumed, diving spectacularly into the corner to score and push the lead to 20-14. The Wolves continued to apply pressure, and Rodrick Tai scored his first try in a year, sliding over the line after a well-timed pass from Matt Dufty, who had a standout performance throughout the match.
Dufty, who was instrumental in Warrington's attack, capped off the night with a try of his own, breaking through the tired St Helens defense and scoring under the posts. With the conversion from Thewlis, the score swelled to 32-14.
St Helens managed to grab a late consolation try from Bennison, but it was too little too late as the match ended with a final score of 32-18 in favor of Warrington. This victory marked Warrington's fifth win in the Super League this season, lifting them to seventh place in the standings.
The match was not without its challenges for Warrington, as they lost key players during the game. Marc Sneyd failed a head injury assessment (HIA) and will miss the upcoming Magic Weekend, adding to the pressure on coach Sam Burgess to manage his squad effectively in the coming weeks.
Speaking after the match, Burgess expressed relief at the win, stating, "We needed this victory after recent performances. The boys showed great resilience, especially after losing Sneyd and Ashton to injuries. It’s crucial for us to build momentum as we move forward in the season."
On the other hand, St Helens faced criticism for their performance. Despite having a strong squad, they struggled to contain Warrington's attacking threats, and coach Paul Wellens acknowledged the need for improvement. "Defensively, we were not at our best tonight. We need to address our errors and work on our defensive structure if we want to compete with the top teams in the league," Wellens said.
The attendance at the Halliwell Jones Stadium was 10,214, with fans witnessing a thrilling encounter that showcased the intensity of Super League rugby. As the season progresses, Warrington will look to build on this victory, while St Helens will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next challenge against Leeds Rhinos.
As the rivalry between these two clubs intensifies, the implications of this match could resonate throughout the remainder of the season. With Warrington now having completed a clean sweep over St Helens this season, the pressure is on the Saints to reclaim their form and position in the league.
In summary, this match not only highlighted the skill and determination of Warrington Wolves but also raised questions about the future for St Helens as they struggle to find consistency in their performances. Fans of both clubs will be eager to see how the season unfolds, with plenty of action still to come in the Super League.
