SAINTS are through to the Challenge Cup Quarter Finals following a relatively comfortable 70-0 win over Featherstone Rovers.
They scored twelve tries on their way into the hat for the last eight, with Jamie Foster near perfect with the boot once more.
Saints led 18-0 at half time despite not having it all their own way.
They dropped a number of balls but took advantage when it mattered to look comfortable at the break.
Francis Meli, Warren Thompson and Paul Wellens with the tries.
In the second half, James Graham, Nathan Ashe, Michael Shenton, Matty Ashurst, Tom Makinson (2) Sia Soliola, Michael Shenton (2) and Tom Armstrong completed the rout.
Saints handed a debut to young forward Warren Thompson in the only change from the side that lost to Huddersfield last weekend.
Familiar names in the Featherstone line-up included ex-Saint Ian Hardman and crafty half-back Liam Flynn.
Straight into Rovers from the off, Saints tried two different kicks – along the floor and in the air – to test their opponent’s defence.
Featherstone then had two penalties to propel them up the field, but Saints held firm.
But Saints got on the board when Wilkin’s chip through found Francis Meli who had the easy task off putting down.
Foster converting.
Warren Thompson got on for his debut 20 minutes in – replacing the solid LMS – and was immediately involved in quelling a Rovers’ attack.
Saints continued to press, but were overcomplicating in attack – turning the ball over to Featherstone on a number of occasions.
On 25 minutes Matty Ashurst was held up over the line but Warren Thompson made amends on the next drive for a try on his Saints bow.
The youngster ran the ball to within inches of the line, then twisted and put down over his head whilst on the ground. Excellent stuff.
Foster two from two to take it to 12-0.
Moments later Paul Wellens was in after a fine feed from Sia Soliola off James Roby’s break.
Foster again easy from under the posts.
Half Time: Saints 18 Featherstone 0
James Graham got on the board in the second half for his fourth try of the season and his 50th for the Club – Foster converting – before Foster provided the break and pass for Nathan Ashe.
Michael Shenton snaked around three defenders to make it 36-0 then Meli turned provider for Matty Ashurst.
Thomas Makinson finished off a superb team move as the clock edged into the last 15 and nabbed his brace as Wilkin threw a great cut-out pass.
Sia Soliola added another late on before Shenton sold the world a dummy for his second.
Roby then broke free to give Armstrong his first of the game and the last of an excellent performance from the Saints.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Meli, Thompson, Wellens, Graham, Ashe, Shenton(2), Ashurst, Makinson (2), Soliola, Armstrong
Goals: Foster (11 from 12)
Featherstone:
Tries:
Goals:
Penalties:
Saints: 5
Featherstone: 4
HT: 18-0
FT: 70-0
REF: James Child
ATT: 2900
Teams:
Saints:
1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Michael Shenton, 5. Francis Meli, 22. Jamie Foster; 12. Jon Wilkin, 27. Nathan Ashe; 10. James Graham, 9. James Roby, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 4. Sia Soliola, 18. Matty Ashurst, 21. Shaun Magennis.
Subs: 24. Tom Armstrong, 28. Thomas Makinson, 29. Scott Hale, 33. Warren Thompson.
Featherstone:
1. Ian Hardman; 2. Bryn Powell, 4. Andrew Bostock, 3. Sam Smeaton, 28. Jonny Hepworth; 29. Tom Hemingway, 7. Liam Finn; 15. Michael Haley, 9. Ben Kaye, 10. Stuart Dickens, 11. Jon Grayshon, 12. Tim Spears, 13. Matty Dale.
Subs: 14. Liam Welham, 17. Greg Worthington, 18. Ross Divorty, 24. Mufaro Mvududu.
