HALF TIME: St Helens 12 Warrington Wolves 4 (From This Is Cheshire)

HALF TIME: St Helens 12 Warrington Wolves 4

8:53pm Friday 19th March 2010 in

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WARRINGTON wolves and St Helens are battling out a titanic struggle in incessant rain before a sell-out 17,500 crowd at Knowsley Road.

It has been all about big hits, grunt and grind and Saints’ lead reflects their territorial advantage overall.

Defences have been in control for the majority of the half, with chances at a premium although it is Wolves’ try line that has had more of a pounding.

It was first blood to St Helens in the sixth minute.

England half back Kyle Eastmond skipped past Garreth Carvell on the 40-metre line and blasted away before skinning Richie Mathers to score and add the conversion himself.

Wolves got on the scoreboard in the 32nd minute after Saints conceded successive penalties.

Stand off Simon Grix collected the ball at first receiver and as a gap opened in front of him he angled a 15-metre charge to the line.

Richie Myler was well off target with the conversion attempt but the gap was cut to two points.

Saints got over again three minutes before half time after earning a penalty and making 40 yards with a raking touch kick.

Wolves defended their line strongly but a Jon Wilkin grubber kick caused a scramble that led to the England back rower touching down.

Chris Flannery first failed to get the touch and then ball ricocheted off Chris Riley as he tried to clean up before Wilkin was able to pounce.

Eastmond added the conversion for a 12-4 half-time lead.

Wolves: Richie Mathers; Chris Hicks, Matt King, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Simon Grix, Richie Myler; Adrian Morley, Michael Monaghan, Garreth Carvell, Ben Westwood, Louis Anderson, Ben Harrison. Subs: Chris Bridge, Mickey Higham, Paul Wood, David Solomona.

Saints: Paul Wellens; Ade Gardner, Matt Gidley, Chris Dean, Francis Meli; Leon Pryce, Kyle Eastmond; James Graham, Keiron Cunningham, Tony Puletua, Chris Flannery, Sia Soliola, Jon Wilkin. Subs: James Roby, Bryn Hargreaves, Paul Clough, Maurie Fa’asavalu.