TWO tries in four minutes late in the first half put Warrington Wolves in front in their final game of the season.

Joel Monaghan’s 145th try in 145 appearances plus a 25-metre effort from Chris Hill handed Wolves their advantage.

A second-minute Kevin Penny try from Chris Sandow’s high kick was ruled out by the video referee Phil Bentham for a push on a defender.

Saints went ahead after nine minutes from their first threatening attack after a loose Wolves pass handed over possession.

Jon Wilkin and Luke Walsh combined to send Joe Greenwood through a huge hole from 10 metres, with Walsh also converting.

Wolves responded quickly though, with a lovely inside pass from Stefan Ratchford sending Jack Johnson away for his third true in the top flight and Sandow adding the extras in the 14th minute.

Daryl Clark was next to go close with a foray from dummy half but he lost the ball in a three-man tackle inches from the line.

Desperate defence kept Adam Swift and Jordan Turner out on opposing flanks on successive tackles before Wolves took a grip of things.

Consecutive penalties allowed Wolves to strike and after Ryan Atkins was held up on his back over the line it was a long pass from Richie Myler that released Ratchford into acres of space and he fed Monaghan for a walk-in.

Sandow was wide with the touchline conversion attempt but Wolves took to the front with 31 minutes gone.

And the advantage was extended three minutes later courtesy of Hill.

Atelea Vea lost possession, Atkins pounced on the ball and from the next tackle Hill brushed off Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook to angle his way to the line unopposed. Again Sandow failed to convert.

Saints: Adam Quinlan, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival, Josh Jones, Adam Swift; Jordan Turner, Luke Walsh; Kyle Amor, James Roby, Andre Savelio, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Joe Greenwood, Jon Wilkin. Subs: Mose Masoe, Atelea Vea, Mark Flanagan, Greg Richards.

Wolves: Jack Johnson; Joel Monaghan, Stefan Ratchford, Ryan Atkins, Kevin Penny; Richie Myler, Chris Sandow; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Ben Westwood, Ben Currie, George King. Subs: Ben Harrison, Roy Asotasi, Brad Dwyer, Joe Philbin.