'Coach's dream' Jack Welsby hailed after heroic U-turn during St Helens win

07 July 2023 , 22:11

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St Helens' Jack Welsby on the attack against Warrington (PA) (Image: PA)

St Helens boss Paul Wellens hailed Jack Welsby as a “coach’s dream” as the England star turned from villain to hero in a thrilling win against Warrington.

The champions threw away a 12-6 interval lead when Matty Ashton raced in an 80m intercept try off Welsby’s ill-conceived pass at the start of the second half. Revved-up Warrington went on to surge 20-12 ahead in a thrilling contest but the gifted full-back Welsby, 22, eventually came good. He helped set up the brilliant Jonny Lomax’s try and then stepped through to create Lewis Dodd’s vital score in the 66th minute.

St Helens - struggling so much early on this year - now leapfrog their gutted rivals to jump into third spot. And Wellens enthused: “Jack’s a coach’s dream. He was disappointed with that pass but what I like about him is that when he does something like that he doesn’t walk around sulking for 10 to 15 minutes.

“He injects himself into the game and makes my job so much easier. I was really pleased with how he responded. He was so influential.

"But what a rollercoaster. Most weeks as a neutral tuning in, you’d love that game, both teams going at it. And it is almost a derby now isn’t it? St Helens/Wigan is notorious. But these Saints/Warrington games are getting better and better every year.”

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St Helens' Konrad Hurrell on the charge in Warrington win (PA) (PA)

However, Warrington were the early leaders this season but have alarmingly lost seven of their last eight games. Daryl Powell’s side - still missing injured England stand-off George Williams - thought they had finally got things right with that fight back. Stefan Ratchford converted Ashton’s second try and then put his side in front with his second penalty.

When Ben Currie broke from deep with a stunning break, supported by Josh Drinkwater and Ratchford, Aussie full-back Matt Dufty arrived to turn on the afterburners for a brilliant try. Ratchford improved for that 20-12 lead but, just as the champions seemed set to sag and the Halliwell Jones Stadium started rocking, Saints hit back. England stand-off Lomax dummied through and exchanged passes with the brilliant Welsby to score, Mark Percival’s third goal getting them within touching distance.

And then the excellent Welsby - who’d also set up Percival’s opening try - came to the fore again for Dodd to seal the deal. However, Dodd’s inside pass to Welsby which set-up James Bell’s first half try was clearly forward leaving Wolves miffed.

David Craven