A FIXTURE with a rich history of drama produced another 80 minutes to remember as St Helens broke their own Super League record for successive victories and Warrington’s hearts with a thrilling last-minute 17-16 victory. Just 24 seconds remained on the clock when Sean Long broke the deadlock with a sweet drop-goal from 30m out to extend the engage Super League leaders’ winning run to 18 matches.

That run looked to have ended when Warrington took control of the second half with a 61st-minute try by Chris Riley, a 20-year-old wing whose intuitive support of a break by Scott Grix brought him a splendid score. Chris Hicks converted and Warrington seemed set to complete an eighth victory in nine matches under coach James Lowes that nobody could have begrudged them. However an opportune try by Lee Gilmour, plus a goal by Long levelled the scores before the scrum-half kicked the winner in dramatic manner.

Earlier, Warrington staged a stirring comeback after St Helens had threatened to enhance their reputation as the sport’s most potent attacking force with two sparkling early tries.

With Michael Monaghan, the Australian scrum-half, a dynamic figure up front the Wolves took the game to St Helens to grab two tries of their own and reach the interval level at 10-10. Monaghan provided the pass that allowed Matt King, the centre, to break free and score in the left corner before Chris Hicks slid over on the opposite side after St Helens had been opened up by a slick handling move.

St Helens had made a bold start and seized the initiative with a trademark try by Cunningham, who marked his 300th Super League appearance in fine style by battling his way over to score from a play-the-ball close to the Warrington line. Long converted but could not add the goal to a try by Ade Gardner who breezed through on the right from a smart move involving Lee Gilmour and Matt Gidley.

Warrington wasted a couple of opportunities following the restart with Hicks and Kevin Penny going close but when Riley, who had earlier denied Leon Pryce, scored the Wolves seemed set to hold out. Long, though, had other ideas with his last-gasp drop-goal completing the win that all-but secures the League Leaders’ Shield for a fourth successive season.

In the night’s other game a late Harrison Hansen try earned Wigan a share of the spoils against Catalans Dragons as the teams drew 16-16. Super League table, p25