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Matty Ashurst goes over for his first try in Saints colours.

SAINTS cruised into the Semi Finals of the Challenge Cup with a 66-6 win over Gateshead Thunder.

The Cup Holders were efficient and professional in their task and scored 12 tries in the process.

They led 36-6 at half time thanks to a seven try show that featured Sean Long’s 1000^th goal for the club.

Tries for Matt Gidley, James Roby, Paul Wellens, Chris Flannery, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Kyle Eastmond and Leon Pryce effectively put them in the bag for the final four.

But Thunder, led by a superb home support, never gave up and had a try from the excellent Ben McAlpine to show for their endeavours.

In the second half, further scores from Matty Ashurst, Wellens, Gidley and Flannery sealed their passage.

Saints lined up with Jonny Lomax and Gary Wheeler on the wings, whilst Bryn Hargreaves and James Graham formed a front row partnership with James Roby. That meant a rare appearance on the bench for Keiron Cunningham. Kyle Eastmond was also named on the bench.

Gateshead’s hooker Andrew Henderson understandably didn’t play after the tragic loss of his father with Ryan Clarke taking his place.

After a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for Henderson, Saints kicked off.

And within the first couple of minutes, Chris Flannery had gone close then Matt Gidley put Saints ahead. The ball was kept alive from one side of the field to the other and Jon Wilkin drew the man to put the former Australian international in.

And a minute later, James Roby profited from a wonderful break from Sean Long to make it 8-0.

But Gateshead weren’t overawed and put in two good sets on Saints line – losing the ball the first time and Lomax mopping up on the second occasion.

And on the third occasion, Ben McAlpine was wrapped up by Leon Pryce and Gary Wheeler.

A quarter of the way on Lomax was sent free by Gidley, only to see his run halted by an excellent cover tackle from Luke Branighan.

Five minutes later McAlpine was involved against, picking up Neil Thorman’s kick through, but he just couldn’t gather.

Saints made the Thunder pay for that error, by going up the other end of the field and stretching their lead further through Paul Wellens.

And Long’s 1000^th goal in Saints colours made it 14-0.

Shortly afterwards, Paul Clough came on for Tony Puletua and on his first run was held up over the line. But that didn’t stop the ball going left seconds later and Flannery going over.

Maurie Fa’asavalu then scored with a characteristic rampaging run and seconds later Kyle Eastmond took Pryce’s pass to go 80 yards.

Pryce went under the sticks with seven minutes to go but Gateshead got on the board when McAlpine intercepted and went 50 yards.

Half Time: Gateshead 6 Saints 36

It took Saints nine minutes to cross the line in the second half; Chris Flannery taking Jon Wilkin’s pass, but he was adjudged to have been held up.

But on Saints next attack Pryce squeezed out an amazing pass to Matty Ashurst who scored his first for the club.

And moments later Kyle Eastmond flipped out an equally outstanding pass for Wellens second.

Lomax fed Gids for his second on 56 minutes, Pryce got his second eight minutes later and Eastmond converted his seventh from seven to bring up the 60.

Gary Wheeler fed Chris Flannery for his second of the game in the final stages as Saints closed the game out with a flourish.

Match Summary:

Gateshead:

Tries: McAlpine

Goals: Youngquest (1 from 1)

Saints:

Tries: Gidley (2), Roby, Wellens (2), Flannery (2), Fa'asavalu, Eastmond, Pryce (2), Ashurst

Goals: Long (1 from 4), Eastmond (8 from 8)

Penalties:

Gateshead: 3

Saints: 8

HT (Sts First): 36-6

FT (Sts First): 66-6

REF: Ian Smith

ATT: 4325

Teams:

Gateshead:

19. Nick Youngquest; 18. Robin Peers, 1. Ben McAlpine, 24. Paul Franze, 5. Stewart Sanderson; 6. Neil Thorman, 7. Luke Branighan; 25. Kris Kahler, 14. Ryan Clarke, 33. Sam Crowther, 4. Dylan Nash, 32. Jamie Cording, 12. Michael Knowles.

Subs:10. Tabuan Cakacaka, 15. Matthew Barron, 17. Chris Parker, 21. Ryan McBride.

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 30. Jonny Lomax, 3. Matt Gidley, 13. Chris Flannery, 21. Gary Wheeler; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 14. James Roby, 10. James Graham, 12. Jon Wilkin, 28. Matty Ashurst, 16. Tony Puletua.

Subs: 9. Keiron Cunningham, 17. Paul Clough. 18. Kyle Eastmond, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu.

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