IN a thrilling contest at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington Wolves were edged out by league leaders St Helens.

George Williams' second-half try - finishing off a break through the middle from Gareth Widdop - had set up the prospect of a shock victory, but the visitors held out.

Warrington Guardian:

George Williams is congratulated after scoring in the second half. Picture by PA Wire

Widdop - back in the side at full-back - had opened the scoring for The Wire, but Saints took an eight-point half-time lead.

Alex Walmsley touched down after the visitors wheeled a scrum close to the Warrington line before Tommy Makinson scored in the corner on the stroke of half time.

Makinson added the conversions for both Saints tries and that proved decisive, with Wolves only converting one of their scores.

Warrington Guardian:

Gareth Widdop's first-half try crucially went unconverted. Picture by Mike Boden

> Here's how Sky Sports pundits Phil Clarke and Jamie Jones-Buchanan rated Wire's display

> Click here to read what St Helens have said in response to flares and beer being thrown onto the pitch by away supporters

> BIG MATCH VERDICT: Critical that this performance is built upon

> Wrench to remain a Wire - but what is his best position?

> Here's what Mike Cooper had to say about his Warrington Wolves future after the game

> Click here to read Daryl Powell's full post-match verdict

> WIRE SOCIAL: 'Arguably the best performance of the season'

> Re-live the action as it happened here

> Warrington Wolves reveal their eco-friendly Magic Weekend kit

Match facts:

Super League, Round 13

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Warrington Wolves...10 St Helens...12

Wolves: Gareth Widdop; Connor Wrench, Peter Mata'utia, Toby King, Matty Ashton; Stefan Ratchford, George Williams; Joe Philbin, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Oliver Holmes, Ben Currie, Billy Magoulias. Subs: Jason Clark, Joe Bullock, Robbie Mulhern, Matt Davis

Saints: Jack Welsby; Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Sione Mata'utia, Mark Percival; Ben Davies, Jonny Lomax; Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles. Subs: Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Agnatius Paasi, James Bell

Scoring: Widdop try, 13mins, 4-0; Walmsley try, 21mins, Makinson goal, 4-6; Makinson try, 38mins, Makinson goal, 4-12; Williams try, 58mins, Ratchford goal, 10-12

Penalties: Wolves 5 Saints 4

Referee: James Child

Attendance: 10,476