The Halliwell-Jones Stadium was the venue as the league leader, Warrington Wolves, looked to overcome their hoodoo as they took on sixth placed St. Helens in the pick of the weekends games.

Warrington have only beaten Saints twice at home since the start of the Super League era, but with Saints having an average season by their usual high standards this was a gilt edged chance for the Primrose & Blue.

Tony Smith had made a few changes to the side which beat Wigan last weekend, but Saints were missing eight regular first teamers including Tommy Makinson who is out for the season. Jake Spedding was handed his debut on the wing, and newcomer Morgan Knowles would start the game from the bench.

The opening try was one befitting of the stature of the game. The Wolves turned defence into attack and when Stefan Ratchford put a kick into the corner Kevin Penny caught the ball in full flight and stretched over the line to ground. Ben Westwood missed the conversion attempt from the touchline.

After being penalised for offside in the eleventh minute Ryan Atkins crashed through a gap in the Saints defence to dive over. Scoring closer to the posts he gave Westwood a far easier conversion for 10-0.

On fifteen, and within seconds of being substituted onto the field, Kyle Amor ran for ten metres off a Shannon McDonnell pass to crash over under the sticks for Saints opener. Luke Walsh kicked the extras to reduce the margin to 10-6.

Four minutes later and Saints hit the front. Kevin Penny had put the ball out on the full from the kick-off and Saints worked quickly downfield allowing second-rower Jack Ashworth to score his debut Super League try. Walsh's conversion made it 12-10 to the visitors.

After two defences exchanged high speed blows for twenty minutes Ben Currie was the beneficiary of a Kevin Penny break as he took two defenders with him to score in the right corner. Ben Westwood slid the conversion short in front of the sticks leaving his side two points ahead at the the interval.

Five minutes into the second half and Saints edged back in front. Matty Dawson went through a gap off a Theo Fages pass to stumble before diving over. Walsh missed kicking the extras for 16-14.

Fifteen minutes from time, and after a high tackle on Jon Wilkin, Luke Walsh kicked the conversion from in front of the sticks to double the Saints lead. Five minutes later and Saints edged into a winning lead when Morgan Knowles was on hand to ground Walsh kick which bounced into goal off a Warrington defender. Walsh kicked the conversion for 24-14.

On seventy-two Luke Walsh kicked a drop goal to tighten the screw a little further on a Warrington side who were now looking beaten.

Six minutes from time and a fluid passing move over seventy metres ended with Kevin Penny finding a way down the left wing to improve the angle. Kurt Gidley stepped up to take the conversion but put his attempt wide and left his side seven behind at 18-25. Ninety seconds from full-time and Tom Lineham collected a Stefan Ratchford kick to ground in the right corner. The Wolves turned down the conversion attempt to save time.

Despite a frantic last sixty seconds Saints held on for the win in an end to end game. The Saints continue their excellent run against the Wolves and despite being heavily depleted they held on for a great win against the side at the top of the pile.

This was a high quality game between two sides who threw everything at the game and left nothing to doubt, a great advert for the sport.

Wolves: Russell, Penny (2T), Currie (T), Atkins (T), Lineham (T), Gidley, Ratchford, Hill, Clark, Sims, Westwood (G), Hughes, Westerman. Subs: Evans, King, Jullien, Philbin.

Saints: McDonnell, Owens, Turner, Dawson (T), Spedding, Fages, Walsh (4G, DG), Walmsley, Roby, Savelio, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Ashworth (T), Wilkin. Subs: Amor (T), Richards, Thompson, Knowles (T).

Referee: Ben Thaler.

Attendance: 13,678