Saints » Results

Saints ran in ten tries as they got back to winning ways by thrashing Harlequins RL 58-12.

Bolstered by the return of their Club Captain, Daniel Anderson’s men ran up a 24-0 lead early doors and continued to punish their opponent’s errors, whilst remaining firm in defence.

And whilst Leon Pryce will probably take the plaudits for a well deserved hat-trick, he was backed up by the excellent Jon Wilkin, Francis Meli and Chris Flannery.

On a chilly but fine night at Knowsley Road, Paul Sculthorpe made his 250^th appearance for the club alongside Bryn Hargreaves and Willie Talau who returned to the side after a knee injury and flu respectively.

Harlequins started with the same team that beat Hull KR 35-16 last week, but brought in Will Sharp on the bench for Julien Rinaldi.

And before kick off, Saints’ first team paid tribute to Paul Wellens (300^th) and Captain Sculthorpe with a guard of honour for notching up their appearance milestones.

Saints had the better of the early stages and forced a knock on early doors to give themselves six in the Quins’ 40.

And it was a wonderful ball from Jon Wilkin that opened up the Quins’ defence for the first try. He flipped a ball out to Meli who cut back inside and then got off a delightful pass to the grateful number 7. Long goaled to make it 6-0.

Shortly after Quins had six on the Saints line, but Meli made a great cover tackle to force Sheriffe to put a foot into touch.

From that error, Saints went up the other end of the field and went over through Pryce, who jinked his way through the defence. Long again perfect with the conversion.

Harlequins put some pressure on Saints’ line a few moments later but Meli was more than equal to a low grubber kick that was put behind for a drop out.

And when Gafa looked to be on his way in, Matt Gidley pulled off an excellent cover tackle.

On 20 minutes, a nice move from the base of the scrum saw Meli go over in the corner. Wilkin and Long combined for Talau to drive at the line before Meli took it on. Long from the touchline to make it 18-0.

It was no more than Saints deserved after an excellent opening quarter in which they totally dominated.

And they popped up again when excellent drives from Maurie and Flannery put Saints in great position to work the ball wide for Roby to stretch over. Long again successful with the two pointer.

Nearly half an hour gone, 24-0.

Quins hit back when Orr flew a pass out to Haggerty who flew under the sticks. Purdham converting.

But Saints popped again when Pryce flew through the defence and went over. Long just wide with the extras.

Gafa reduced the arrears once more, with Purdham converting, but the half belonged to the men in the Red Vee.

Half Time: 28-12

Saints were on the attack within seconds of the restart when Long put up a high ball, but it was excellently taken by Wells, as was the covering tackle from Meli.

And Chris Frodsham made a slammer of a tackle a moment later to give Saints another six within the Quins’ 40 yard line.

After a period of scrappy play, Saints finally made their pressure count when Wilkin showed great speed to break from the scrum and feed the supporting Wellens. Long goaled to increase the lead further.

Saints’ next try was out of the top drawer. Excellent drives from Pryce, Wilkin and Talau set the perfect sliding passage of play that saw Flannery combine with Gidley to send a trademark flip pass for Gards to go in the corner. Long excellent from the touchline.

Pryce then notched up his hat-trick when the excellent throughout Wilkin intercepted, went 50 yards, and then fed the former Bull. Long converting.

Flannery then scorched through to feed Gidley and bring up the 50. Long continuing his form with the boot.

Gardner scored his second to seal the deal and Longy banged yet another conversion off the touchline to pour yet more misery on the Quins.

Match Summary

Saints:

Tries: Long, Pryce (3), Meli, Roby, Wellens, Gardner (2), Gidley

Goals: Long (9 from 10)

Harlequins RL:

Tries: Haggerty, Gafa

Goals: Purdham (2 from 2)

Penalties:

Saints: 10

Harlequins RL: 4

HT (Sts First): 28-12

FT (Sts First): 58-12

ATT: 8,533

REF: Ben Thaler

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 14. James Roby, 10. Jason Cayless, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Paul Sculthorpe, 16. Chris Flannery.

Subs: 15. Mike Bennett, 21. Paul Clough, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu, 26. Gareth Frodsham.

Harlequins:

2. Jon Wells; 19. Tony Clubb, 3. Matt Gafa, 4. David Howell, 5. Rikki Sheriffe; 23. Henry Paul, 7. Danny Orr; 8. Karl Temata, 9. Chad Randall, 17. Danny Ward, 27. Michael Worrincy, 18. Joe Mbu, 13. Robert Purdham.

Subs: 15. Chris Melling, 16. Gareth Haggerty, 20. Jon Grayshon, 24. Will Sharp.