GOODBYE KNOWSLEY ROAD: Warrington Wolves aiming for unique win at end of era (From This Is Cheshire)

GOODBYE KNOWSLEY ROAD: Warrington Wolves aiming for unique win at end of era

1:21pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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WARRINGTON Wolves will be aiming to send the ‘old lady’ out with a unique win tomorrow, Friday, backed by their legions of travelling supporters.

With St Helens moving to a new home next season, the round seven clash will be Wolves’ last chance to win a Super League game at the 120-year-old Knowsley Road ground.

The venue and the Saints team have notoriously got the better of Wolves in the modern era but around 6,000 Warrington fans are expected to make the trip for what they feel is the best chance to break the stranglehold.

Wolves have lost on their last 18 visits, while there has not been a primrose and blue victory to cheer in the last 26 meetings home or away.

In fact, Wolves have won only one of their last 41 clashes with Saints – a run which started with the humiliating 80-0 Regal Trophy semi-final defeat of 1996 that appears to be haunting them until this day.

This time – which has not always been the case in the past – Wolves are visiting their neighbours in hot form, while Saints have been inconsistent and a little unconvincing in the opening six rounds of 2010.

In recent years Wolves have got closer and closer to breaking their Super League era duck, playing magnificently and holding the lead until the late stages.

But Saints’ ability to produce match-winning plays when it matters has cost Wolves.

On two such occasions Sean Long drop goals broke Warrington’s hearts, while last year Wolves surrendered a 14-0 lead in the opening game of the season. It took weeks and the arrival of Tony Smith for Wolves to start their recovery.

Knowsley Road has not always been a place of gloom for Wolves though.

Some of Warrington’s great cup final moments were clinched there and there have been some classic battles between the clubs that included remarkable Wolves victories.

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Wolves/Saints match breakdown:

* Wolves have won only one of their last 41 home and away league and cup meetings

* Warrington have lost their last 19 home and away clashes with their fierce rivals

* Wolves have been beaten on their last 18 visits to the Knowsley Road ground

* Warrington have not defeated St Helens home or away, league or cup, since 2001

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Tale of woe in full:

1996

Wolves 24 Saints 25

Saints 66 Wolves 14

1997

Saints 60 Wolves 16

Wolves 20 Saints 22

1998

Saints 35 Wolves 22 (Cup)

Saints 36 Wolves 14*

Wolves 18 Saints 48

1999

Saints 57 Wolves 20

Wolves 12 Saints 35

2000

Wolves 34 Saints 47

Saints 50 Wolves 20

Saints 58 Wolves 18

2001

Wolves 56 Saints 22

Saints 70 Wolves 16

Wolves 28 Saints 28

2002

Wolves 14 Saints 36 (Cup)

Wolves 36 Saints 44

Saints 72 Wolves 2

2003

Saints 56 Wolves 6

Wolves 30 Saints 30

2004

Wolves 20 Saints 50

Saints 28 Wolves 8

Wolves 24 Saints 26

2005

Wolves 16 Saints 18

Saints 31 Wolves 30

Wolves 10 Saints 30

2006

Wolves 10 Saints 18

Saints 34 Wolves 22

Wolves 30 Saints 38

2007

Wolves 12 Saints 48

Wolves 12 Saints 40

Saints 25 Wolves 14 (Cup)

Saints 36 Wolves 16

2008

Saints 30 Wolves 22

Wolves 22 Saints 30

Saints 40 Wolves 34 (Cup)

Saints 17 Wolves 16

2009

Saints 26 Wolves 14

Wolves 26 Saints 40

*Played at Anfield

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Defeats at Knowsley Road prior to Super League but since last win:

1994/95

Saints 31 Wolves 12

1995/96

Saints 80 Wolves 0 (Regal Trophy)

Saints 54 Wolves 14