Warrington captain George Williams kept his nerve to kick the match-winning golden point and seal a thrilling 23-22 win over St Helens in their Betfred Super League play-off at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The hosts had stormed back from a 12-point first-half deficit in a clash of unrelenting action only for a touchline conversion from Saints centre Mark Percival with time up on the stadium clock to force the extra period and threaten one last twist. Instead it was Warrington who fashioned field position and after having his first effort charged down, Williams seized his second chance to give his side a semi-final trip to Hull KR on Friday and bring the visitors’ season to a painful close.
Saints, who scraped into the post-season in the sixth and final slot, had risen to the occasion and two tries from Tommy Makinson – which more than made up for his early blunder that gave Wire the lead – threatened to rip up the script and extend the season for Paul Wellens’ men. But Wire, for whom Matty Ashton and Toby King finished with a brace each and Josh Thewlis added six points with the boot, came back firing and thought they had clinched victory when Ashton seized on a defensive error to cross for his second 15 minutes from time, only for there to be more drama to come as both sides pushed for glory. The tie was eventful from the opening whistle as Saints veteran Makinson – ending his 13-year-career with the club before his move to Catalans next season – fumbled straight.
