Betfred Super League

Warrington (10) 23

Tries: King 2, Ashton 2 Goals: Thewlis 3 Drop-goal: Williams

St Helens (16) 22

Tries: Makinson 2, Percival, Bennison Goals: Percival 3

Warrington Wolves set up a Super League play-off semi-final against Hull KR courtesy of George Williams’ golden point extra time drop-goal against St Helens.

The hosts took just two minutes to get on the board as Toby King touched down but Tommy Makinson dived to the corner to reply soon after.

Mark Percival twisted his way in for Saints’ second before Makinson crashed over for another but Matty Ashton cut into the visitors lead before half-time.

King and Ashton both crossed for their second tries to tip the game on its head but Jon Bennison sent it to golden point, leading to Williams sealing the Wire’s win.

Victory for Warrington means they will face Hull KR in the first of next week’s semi-finals on Friday (20:00 BST).

Wigan and Leigh will face off in an all-Wigan borough tie on Saturday, 5 October.

Warrington led from the off courtesy of some canny work straight from the kick-off as Makinson knocked on, facing into the early evening sunshine , leading the hosts to start their first set within 10 metres of the try line.

King duly crossed over with ease but Saints stayed in touching distance as Josh Thewlis failed to add the extras.

Makinson made amends in impressive fashion with 15 minutes gone with an incredible dive to the corner from Jonny Lomax’s offload, and Percival’s fine kicking edged the visitors in front.

A frantic first half continued and Percival showed incredible strength to drive over the line and then converted his own score to put St Helens into an eight-point lead.

Makinson added his second when video referee Chris Kendall judged he had successfully grounded the ball over the line but a sensational passing move from Warrington saw Ashton through to reduce the deficit.

Warrington scored the first points of a bruising second half as King went in for his second, having again linked up with England captain Williams, this time capitalising on a pinpoint cross which ripped open a hole in the Saints defence.

The Wire’s momentum continued to build and the visitors failed to pick up Ashton on the wing, who ran in with ease.

There was more drama to come, though, as Bennison dived in out wide to take it to golden point.

Warrington got the first possession and eventually worked the ball to Williams, whose first drop-goal attempt was well charged down, but Saints’ Percival kicked out on the full shortly before the Wire rebuilt setting up their match-winning opportunity.

Saturday’s fixture was the fourth time that St Helens and Warrington have met this season, with the Wire winning on every occasion.

That St Helens managed to dominate much of the first half was mightily impressive given the uphill battle Paul Wellens’ side have faced this term.

They have been plagued by injuries during the mid to late portion of the regular campaign but managed to name a near full-strength side for the short trip to the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Formerly the dominant side in Super League, it has been a difficult pair of campaigns for Wellens since he took over ahead of 2023.

For Warrington, on the other hand, their impressive season is now extended by virtue of their well-worked comeback.

Sam Burgess has inspired his side in his first coaching role and reached the Challenge Cup final earlier in the season.

A rematch against Wigan, victors at Wembley earlier this summer, could be on the cards at Old Trafford on 12 October should both sides progress through the semi-final.

The Wire have not reached a Super League Grand Final since 2018 but they must overcome a resilient KR side who finished narrowly above them in second place during the regular season.

Hull KR v Warrington – Friday, 4 October (20:00 BST kick-off)

Wigan v Leigh – Saturday, 5 October (17:30 kick-off, live on BBC Two)

Warrington: Dufty; Thewlis, Tai, King, Ashton; Williams, Drinkwater; Yates, Walker, Musgrove, Bateman, Nicholson, Currie.

Interchanges: Powell, Harrison, Vaughan, Philbin.

St Helens: Welsby; Makinson, Mata’utia, Percival, Bennison; Lomax, Dodd; Walmsley, Clark, Lees Whitley, Batchelor, Knowles.

Interchanges: Bell, Paasi, Delaney, Burns.

Referee: Liam Moore.