STILL reeling from the shock defeat at Wakefield, second-placed Saints will be anxious to get back into winning vein when Warrington Wolves appear at Knowsley Road on Sunday (6.35).

The Knowsley Road side are a point behind Wigan and one in front of third-placed Bradford Bulls, and it is vital Saints win all five remaining games if they are to finish in pole position.

So the pressure is on against a Wolves side who have yet to defeat Saints in Super League, but who have won their last three games and have an outside chance of a top-five spot.

The Warrington line-up includes ex-Saints Lee Briers, Alan Hunte and Dean Busby, and is : Penny; Smyth, Kohe-Love, Hunte, Cowell; Briers, Langer; Gee, Farrar, Hilton, McCurrie, Knott, Nikau. Substitutes Busby, Noone, Peters, Guissett.

Team report from Saints is that Sonny Nickle (burst blood vessel) and long-term absentee Paul Newlove (hamstring) will again not be fit, but coach Ian Millward is hopeful that Paul Wellens will recover from a virus problem.

Referee is John Connolly, Sky coverage begins at 6.30, while Radio Merseyside's Alan Rooney and Ray French will be heard on wavelengths 1485 and 95.8 from 6 o'clock.

The Academy side travel to Hull on Sunday, kick-off 1pm.

The home game against Wigan which was originally scheduled for Sunday, September 17, will now be played on Friday, September 15, kick-off 7.30. Saints match at Leeds on Friday, September 1, will kick-off at 7.30pm instead of 8pm. The changes have been made to align with Sky programmes.

Hull are reported to be interested in Saints' out-of-contract winger Chris Smith. The free-scoring Alliance side kept their championship hopes alive with an emphatic 36-16 win over leaders Wigan before a bumper 1,112 crowd at Knowsley Road. The victory platform was laid by half-time when Saints led 26-0 thanks to some brilliant running rugby. Tony Stewart (after a record 24 seconds!), John Kirkpatrick, Martin Proudfoot, Mark McCully, Mark Edmondson, Dave Cunliffe and John Braddish scored Saints' tries, with the latter also kicking four goals. Edmondson was man-of-the-match, closely shaded by skipper John Hamilton and John Braddish. Saints' team was: McCully; Giles, Atcheson, Stewart, Kirkpatrick; Barrow, Braddish; Loughlin, Hamilton, Henare, Edmondson, Proudfoot, Bennett. Substitutes Bithell, Cunliffe, Jonkers, McConnell. Braddish has kicked 59 goals and scored 15 tries for a total of 178 points. Saints' travel to London Broncos on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm

Vila Matautia and Freddie Tuilagi have been selected in the Samoan World Cup squad, while Chris Joynt will play for Ireland. Kevin Iro and Dwayne West will turn out for the Cook Islands.

The profilic pen of Ray French has turned up trumps again following the success of his previous seven books on oval ball affairs. His latest tome 'League Tales ' is a humorous collection of short stories based on a mythical club, and the characters and incidents contained in its 150 pages are a mirror image of Ray's playing days. All proceeds will be used to set up a trust fund for any player (amateur or professional) who suffers crippling injury, and the Rugby League will double the amount raised. 'League Tales' is available at Wardleworth's and Saints' superstore price £9.99.

A sportsman's dinner in aid of the BARLA under-16 tour of Australia will be held at Saints on Friday, October 6, from 7.30pm. Speaker is ex-Leeds and Ireland soccer star Johnny Giles, comedian Dusty Young and compere Lennie Lowe. Tickets cost £25 (table of 10 £225) and are available from tour business manager Barry Hyland on 454627.

Saints will hold a youth development golf day at Sherdley Park and the Hilton Hotel on Wednesday, August 23. The package includes: teams of four (or three plus Saints player), in and 18-hole Stableford, free balls, prizes for winning team, individual, longest drive and nearest pin. Three course meal, prize presentation and guest speaker at the Hilton. Happy hour. First team players in attendance. Discount room rate (contact hotel). Entry fee £175 per team, £50 individual. To enter telephone Saints 23697 or Rowley Sports Management on 01942-683800.

St. Helens Vine RFC will hold a mixed dinner

at the Nexus club on Thursday, August 24, when the speakers will be Alex Murphy and Malcolm Lord. Tickets cost £20 (table of eight £150). Tickets are available from Doug Whittle on 07 809 809 809 or 613331.

Kevin Iro is still considering a new contract offer from Saints.

Neil Holding will be guest speaker when Saints hold their next First Friday luncheon at Knowsley Road on September 1 from 1pm. Further details from Helen Lawrenson on 23697.

Answer to correspondent Bill Crosby, of Newtown: The late Joe Ball played for Saints from 1944 to 1955. He appeared at full-back, scrum-half and hooker and was a reliable goalkicker. Ball attended Rivington Road school, along with other Saints' stars Duggie Greenall, George Parr and Bill Finnan. Joe later joined Barrow, and was full-back in the side defeated by Leeds at Wembley in 1957.

Wilf Webster, of Parr: Local forward Tommy Leyland played for Saints from 1945 to 1948. He then joined Oldham and still lives there.