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SAINTS eased to a 38-18 victory over a spirited Halifax in Mike Bennett’s Testimonial Match.

Leading 28-6 at half time thanks to five well taken tries, they withstood mounting pressure in the second half to register the win.

Sia Soliola’s try in particular was the highlight of a good first half performance from the home team.

He backed up Scott Moore’s mazy run to bamboozle three defenders and step over for his second of the pre-season campaign.

In the second half, Halifax piled pressure on the Saints’ line and put themselves back into the match with Dylan Nash’s score.

Leon Pryce went over to put Saints back in the ascendancy – converted by Mike Bennett – before adding another as the seconds counted down.

Luke Branighan adding a late consolation for Fax.

Like Tuesday win over Widnes, Saints named a strong line-up with Paul Wellens, Ade Gardner, Matt Gidley, Leon Pryce, Kyle Eastmond, Nick Fozzard, James Roby, Tony Puletua and Jon Wilkin all making 2010 bows.

Mike Bennett was named on the bench with James Graham and a selection of players who made their bows at the Stobart Stadium.

Halifax had a number of players unavailable through injury but named a strong side nonetheless as they looked to get their season off to a good start.

Saints got off to a good start when a Jon Wilkin kick caught Halifax short in goal. That led to a drop out but the ball went to ground.

Halifax kicked through on their first set of six, but Gardner was more than equal to the task.

But Saints scored on six minutes when Roby took on the line and burrowed over. Eastmond duly converting.

Seven minutes later Halifax replied through James Haley who intercepted a pass and went fully 70 yards to go under the sticks. Patterson with the conversion.

Jon Wilkin chipped over for Gary Wheeler a few moments later, but the ball was well fielded by Patterson as the youngster bundled him into touch.

From the restart, Saints got into a good position and Fa’asavalu powered over. Eastmond continued his 100 per cent record with the boot.

Sia Soliola continued his good pre-season form, latching onto a nice play from Scott Moore to sidestep three defenders and go over. Eastmond’s kick extending Saints’ lead further.

Gary Wheeler was next to profit – on 35 minutes – taking Leon Pryce’s pass to evade the covering tacklers. Eastmond just shy with the extras.

And just shy of half time, Eastmond popped up a nice ball for Soliola who was in support to feed Paul Wellens. Eastmond easy with the two points.

Half Time: Saints 28 Halifax 6

Saints started the second half like they did the first forcing a drop out in the first minute.

On 50 minutes Halifax attacked and Eastmond knocked the ball dead following a deft kick through.

Four minutes later, Kyle’s chip hit the posts and forced another drop out.

Jamie Foster came onto the field shortly after and made an instant contribution when he went up for a high ball and stopped a certain score.

But on 61 minutes Fax scored the first try of the second half, Dylan Nash latching onto a cute chip to go under the posts. Patterson nailed the extras to bring Halifax into it.

Benno was introduced to the action on 70 minutes and took up a position on the right of the field.

And a minute later, Leon Pryce scored – on the opposite side. But Bennett did shoe over the conversion.

Moments later, Pryce got his second when he rounded off a fine move to go under the posts. Bennett missing the conversion this time.

Luke Branighan added a converted score late on.

Match Summary:

Saints:

Tries: Roby, Fa’asavalu, Soliola, Wheeler, Wellens, Pryce (2)

Goals: Eastmond (4 from 5), Bennett (1 from 2)

Halifax:

Tries: Haley, Nash, Branighan

Goals: Patterson (3 from 3)

Penalties:

Saints: 5

Halifax: 2

HT (Sts First): 28-6

FT (Sts First): 38-18

REF: Steve Ganson

ATT: 2116

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Sia Soliola, 4. Matt Gidley, 5. Gary Wheeler; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Kyle Eastmond; 8. Nick Fozzard, 9. James Roby, 10. Jake Emmitt, 11. Tony Puletua, 12. Matty Ashurst, 13. Jon Wilkin.

Subs: 14. Maurie Fa’asavalu, 15. Scott Moore, 16. Andy Yates, 17. Shaun Magennis, 18. Chris Dean, 19. Jack Bradbury, 20. Paul Johnson, Jonny Lomax, Jamie Foster, James Graham, Andrew Dixon, Mike Bennett.

Halifax:

4. Shad Royston; 2. Lee Paterson, 3. Jon Goddard, 5. James Haley, 23. Rob Worrincy; 6. Luke Branighan, 22. Dave Wrench; 14. Mark Glesson, 10. Neil Cherryholme, 11. Dave Larder, 18. Dylan Nash, 13. Bon Beswick.

Subs: 8. Danny Flemming, 9. Danny Russell, 15. Mark Roberts, 17. Frank Watene, 20. Paul White, 21. Anthony Bowman, 24. Stephen Bannister.

Dave says:
Great effort fax nearly a full St's line up and performed well against some of the business. If we has a full team who knows what could of happened.

elaine says:
good score shame we let in three tries

Damo says:
We performed well tonight thought we played abit more better on Tuesday against widnes we spread the ball out more wide were tonight we played more up the middle. We need to keep spreading that ball out more but overall good match. Can't wait for season to start =D

Natalie Heath :-) says:
good effort saints :)

Dave Webb says:
Shame the crowd wasn't bigger - I know it's only a friendly but Mike deserves all the support he gets. Good to see he got on the scoreboard though; is that the first conversion he's ever kicked?

Paul says:
well done Saints and Mike. Couldn't make the game due to work, but I was surprised at the numbers.

Chris Swift says:
Well done saints and Mike, and special thanks to Halifax for giving us a match to play a such short notice..Well done all