Widnes Saints

THE Saints were delayed by bridge works and arrived late and worse still the Wolves ran in a try early on.

They scored after a superb break from their man of the match Ste Foster who went half the field to put in Richard Smith for his first.

Michael Bates converted for the first of his three goals.

A drive from Waitangi Halatuna brought the Saints close to the line for the impressive Kev Buck to barge over. Paul Flannery replied charging in by the posts before quick hands from Martin Scott and Lee Campbell put in Danny Yates.

Not to be outdone Smith replied immediately with one for the hosts.

Then on the sixth tackle with the Saints defence expecting a kick, Paul Grant powered over putting the Wolves 22-8 ahead after only 18 minutes. This was to be the last of their scoring until the final minute.

Athena Security man of the match Andy Benson drove 50 metres to put in Darren McKinnon before Paul Kirwan's put in Peter Forrest. Chris Barr converted both.

McKinnon had a try disallowed on half time sending in the hosts 22-20 ahead.

Benson scored a superb second straight from the break when Campbell and Forrest combined to send him in by the sticks.

McKinnon converted taking over from the unlucky Barr who fractured his shoulder.

McKinnon diffused a high bomb before sending Graham Buck away to put brother Kev in at the posts. Kieran Walker's pace was bemusing the hosts and Stu Martin's probing was creating massive gaps. The Saints were now rampant and Forrest went over for two individual tries to bring up his hat trick.

Martin opened up the defence for the first and Carl Leach engineered the second.

Forrest then turned provider, feeding Chris Freeman who put in Benson for his second.

Wolves had the last laugh when their big prop chipped the fullback to score.

Benson was man of the match pushed all the way by Leach and Forrest.

The Saints play Bolton-le-Moors at Bolton next Saturday.