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Saints recorded their sixth straight win as they climbed to second in the table thanks to a hard fought 28-10 win over Catalans Dragons.

Tries from Flannery, Cunningham, Graham, Pryce and a Gardner double, alongside four points from the boot of Long, sealed the win.

On a damp and slightly chilly night at the GPW Recruitment Stadium, Saints made one change from the Challenge Cup win over Warrington.

Maurie Fa’asavalu was left out with an ankle knock and in came Mike Bennett.

For the Catalans, they continued with their big and dangerous looking pack which featured David Ferriol and Alexander Chan. Guisset was on the bench.

As the Saints ran out, fans in the Hattons Solicitors Stand held up a massive sign saying ‘Vote Yes’ – an indication of the level of support for the new stadium planning application which is held on May 20.

Early doors Saints looked the most likely to score, putting pressure on the Dragons’ defence in their first two sets.

Then came their third set – on two-and-a-half minutes – and they did just that.

On the last tackle, Cunningham combined with Long to send a beautiful kick through for a rampaging Chris Flannery to touch down for his sixth of the season. Long short with the extras.

It was an excellent start to the game and Saints were clearly on their toes.

Ten minutes in and Catalans’ first real attack was quelled with some excellent scrambling defence – Meli and Gidley both putting in the big hits.

Long then tried a reverse angled kick which Wellens almost caught.

Five minutes later Meli caught a high ball under pressure on his own line. Wellens then did the same on an absolute towerer.

On 20 minutes Saints won a drop out when Wilkin fired a massive bomb which caused panic in the Catalans’ defence. From the kick, Long switched the play back inside for Cunningham to go over.

Cunningham started and finished the move which involved Long and Pryce – the latter getting out an amazing ball off the floor for KC to power over. Long made it a six pointer.

James Graham then spun his way over the line after a nice ball from Roby close in – the try coming after a high shot on the Man of Steel. Long with the two pointer.

Half Time: Saints 16 Catalans 0

Four minutes into the second half the Dragons got on the board after a nice reverse pass from McGuire. Mogg the beneficiary. Bosc with the extras.

Pelo then took a great kick under pressure after Sean Long had found his range.

On 54 minutes a tricky kick from Bosc was defused by Wellens who immediately fed Meli to streak down the field. Catalans then were penalised for offside, a high tackle, roughing in the tackle and offside once more before the ball was sent wide to Gardner. Unfortunately, the pass was a little forced and the winger couldn’t collect.

Yet from the scrum, the Dragons knocked on and seconds later Greenshields was sin-binned for stealing the ball. Saints then showed some excellent play to send Ade in the corner but the referee bizarrely said the ball was knocked on – although no one in the ground saw it.

Despite being down to 12 men, the Catalans were proving to be a tough nut to crack after what was a relatively poor opening 40 minutes from Mick Potter’s team.

Ferriol was penalised for a high shot on Cayless and from the tap Saints flew into Dragons twenty and forced a drop out.

This time, Saints were in no mood to leave without points. Once again the ball was worked through Cunningham and Long to Matt Gidley, who put a beautiful pass over to Gardner who popped over in the corner. Long just wide with the extras.

Gardner then doubled his tally after another fine pass from Matt Gidley.

John Wilson then saved a certain try with a wonderful tackle on James Roby.

And it was left for Pryce to seal the win with a slinking run to the line after great work from Chris Flannery.

However, the win was soured a little as Lee Gilmour was taken off the field with what looked to be a knee ligament injury.

Greenshields scored late on to give the Cats some consolation.

Daniel Anderson said: "It was a mediocre game; we were poor. Thankfully we got two points but that is the only plus point."

Match Summary

Saints:

Tries: Flannery, Cunningham, Graham, Gardner (2), Pryce

Goals: Long (2 from 6)

Catalans:

Tries: Mogg, Greenshields

Goals: Bosc (1 from 2)

Penalties:

Saints: 14

Catalans: 3

HT (Sts First): 16-0

FT (Sts First): 28-10

ATT: 8550

REF: Phil Bentham

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 10. Jason Cayless, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 17. James Graham, 11. Lee Gilmour, 16. Chris Flannery,12. Jon Wilkin.

Subs: 14. James Roby, 15. Mike Bennett, 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 21. Paul Clough.

Catalans:

1. Clint Greenshields; 25. Younes Khattabi, 4. Adam Mogg, 3. John Wilson, 5. Dimitri Pelo; 6. Thomas Bosc, 7. Casey McGuire; 19. Alexander Chan, 9. Aaron Gorrell, 8. David Ferriol, 11. Sébastien Raguin, 12. Jason Croker, 13. Grégory Mounis.

Subs: 10. Jérôme Guisset, 14. Dane Carlaw, 22. Jamal Fakir, 24. Rémi Casty.

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