St Helens 8 Warrington Wolves 31, Challenge Cup post-match reaction

A red-hot 16-minute spell in which they scored 24 unanswered points allowed them to secure their first win over neighbours St Helens since June 2021.

In what was the most emphatic statement of the Sam Burgess era to date, The Wire dominated their rivals to book a semi-final date with Huddersfield Giants.

Just after Jon Bennison had edged Saints 8-7 ahead with a penalty, Matty Ashton’s acrobatic finish in the corner sparked a riotous run.

Connor Wrench touched down George Williams' kick and James Harrison crashed over from close range before Williams himself rounded off the scoring by supporting Matt Dufty's break.

Williams’ drop goal on the stroke of half time had edged The Wire into a 7-6 lead after Josh Thewlis' penalty goal had levelled matters just minutes earlier.

Konrad Hurrell's try - improved by Bennison's conversion - had looked set to send the hosts into the break ahead after Thewlis had opened the scoring early on by finishing off a well-worked right-edge move.

Matty Ashton's superb acrobatic finish put Wire into a lead they would not relinquish (Image: PA Wire)

St Helens 8 Warrington 31 - post-match reaction

> Our Guardian Fan Panel discusses a memorable win over Saints

> Try-scorer Connor Wrench on how Sam Burgess has helped boost his self-confidence

> THE MORNING AFTER: Was this Wire's 'glass ceiling' moment?

> PICTURES AND VIDEO: Ashton's outrageous acrobatics against Saints

> Everything Sam Burgess said following emphatic quarter-final victory

> Warrington Wolves injury update including Ben Currie news

> WIRE SOCIAL' One of the best performances I've seen'

> Re-live all of the action from the Totally Wicked Stadium as it happened here

Match facts:

Challenge Cup, quarter final

Sunday, April 14, 2024

St Helens...8 Warrington Wolves...31

Saints: Jack Welsby; Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Waqa Blake, Jon Bennison; Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd; Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, George Delaney, Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles. Subs: Sione Mata'utia, Moses Mbye, James Bell, Matt Whitley. 18th man: Ben Davies

Wolves: Matt Dufty; Josh Thewlis, Connor Wrench, Toby King, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Leon Hayes; James Harrison, Danny Walker, Joe Philbin, Matty Nicholson, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Jordy Crowther. Subs: Joe Bullock, Adam Holroyd, Sam Powell, Max Wood. 18th man: Stefan Ratchford

Scoring: Thewlis try, 10mins, 0-4; Hurrell, 27mins, Bennison goal, 6-4; Thewlis penalty, 38mins, 6-6; Williams drop goal, 40mins, 6-7; Bennison penalty, 53mins, 8-7; Ashton try, 55mins, Thewlis goal, 8-13; Wrench try, 61mins, Thewlis goal, 8-19; Harrison try, 69mins, Thewlis goal, 8-25; Williams try, 71mins, Thewlis goal, 8-31

Penalties: Saints 4 Wolves 7

Referee: Jack Smith

Attendance: 11,280

James Harrison is mobbed after scoring (Image: PA Wire)