Saints keep shield in style
St Helens will finish the regular season on top of the table after a 36-16 win over Warrington at Knowsley Road.
By Rob Lancaster
Last Updated: 08/09/07 11:00am
St Helens sealed top spot in the Super League table with a 36-16 win over Warrington.
With Leeds losing at home to Hull, Saints picked up the two points they needed to secure themselves a third straight minor premiership.
Francis Meli led the way with a hat-trick for the hosts at Knowsley Road, where Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was amongst the crowd.
As if losing wasn't a big enough blow to the Wolves' play-off hopes, they saw influential forward Adrian Morley sent off.
The Great Britain international was given his marching orders in the 68th minute for a high tackle.
Sluggish
By that stage Saints were already well on their way to victory after overcoming a sluggish start and an early deficit.
Lee Briers' two early penalties gave the Wolves an early 4-0 advantage and raised hopes they could record their first win at St Helens' home in 13 years.
Their lead did not last for long though, Lee Gilmour barging his way over midway through the first half and then Meli grabbing his first in the left corner soon after.
The New Zealander added another before the break following a try for his wing partner on the opposite flank, Ade Gardner.
In between Kevin Penny crossed for Warrington, the youngster notching his 13th try in 12 matches.
Dismissal
They scored again on the hour when Martin Gleeseon weaved his way over, although by then Saints had already added to their tally with tries from James Roby and Meli.
Morley's dismissal rubbed salt in the Wolves' wounds late on and their misery was complete when Leon Pryce scored a magnificent seventh.
Stand-in kicker Paul Wellens managed three conversions and a penalty as Saints extended their Super League record against Warrington to an impressive 28-1.
