Paul Wellens likened St Helens star Jonny Lomax to a chess player as he left stunned leaders Warrington Wolves stuck in checkmate.
Missing seven first-team regulars, many thought the defending Super League champions were destined for a rare third straight defeat. But England stand-off Lomax, 32, came up with some brilliant plays to help inflict a massive loss on battered Wolves. He scored one try with a big sidestep and then set up Jon Bennison for a sizzling second half effort.
Lomax missed the World Cup through injury but will surely face France on Saturday week. Wellens said: “Jonny’s almost like a chess player with rugby: he sees three moves ahead. It was the best we’ve been all season as a halves unit. The more often we get their hands on the ball, the better. Now we need to build on this.
“But it was all about character. There were a ton of excuses for us to take but I loved the attitude in the dressing room all week. There was a different feel around the group and you saw a team that just went out there and played.”
Warrington had won their opening eight games but followed up a first loss against Wigan with this disappointing show. They never recovered after falling 16-0 behind inside a disastrous opening 19 minutes. Konrad Hurrell intercepted England captain George Williams’ pass to score from 50m before Lomax and Will Hopoate both crossed for tries.
Bennison added two conversions but Warrington - who lost England hooker Daryl Clark to a leg injury - hit back in the 24th minute. Ex-Toulouse winger Matty Russell notched his 100th career try with a flying finish which Stefan Ratchford converted but their side wouldn’t score again. Lomax’s fabulous cut-out pass sent Bennison racing clear in the 43rd minute before the young winger sold an outrageous dummy to score and leave full-back Matt Dufty red-faced.
Joey Lussick added a penalty and a conversion when Hurrell’s quality flick pass put Tee Ritson over at the death. Powell bemoaned: “It was disappointing. We handed the ascendency to Saints and they were only too willing to take it. They deserved to win and we need to do better in pressure games.
“That’s the second week in a row we’ve started poorly but we’ve got to react better. The last couple of games have opened up areas in which we need to improve.”
Catalans have signed Australian centre Matt Ikuvalu from Cronulla Sharks.
