A SIX-try first half blitz with doubles from Kyle Eastmond and Jamie Foster saw Saints overcome Wakefield Wildcats 46-6.
Buoyed by excellent performances from the half-backs, the pack laid the platform for Saints youngsters to terrorise their opponent’s defence.
Tony Puletua was immense in the centre of the park, whilst James Roby and Jonny Lomax once again showed they are the hub of the team.
But Royce Simmons’ men were also keen enough in defence – for 79 minutes anyway – even though Wakefield’s execution was poor for the majority of the game.
The game was effectively over after 40 minutes as Eastmond and Foster helped themselves to braces with Jon Wilkin and the excellent Lomax adding the others.
A sloppy start to the second saw plenty of dropped ball – something that wouldn’t have pleased Simmons – but normal service was resumed when Francis Meli charged over following Roby’s pass.
Chris Flannery added Saints eighth of the afternoon as he punished an error but Aaron Murphy crossed late on to save the Cats’ blushes.
Saints welcomed back Paul Clough into the 17 for the first time since his shoulder injury in March, whilst Michael Shenton recovered from an ankle knock.
Kyle Eastmond came in for the injured Paul Wellens and with Josh Perry out for the season, the front row of James Graham and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook were expected to do a lot of work.
Wakefield shuffled around their side following a 70-point mauling at Hull KR – but there was no place for former Saint Chris Dean.
Saints got off to a good defensive set but then knocked-on on their third tackle giving the home side impetus.
But they weathered the pressure and scored a cracker to get them on their way. Puletua broke free in the middle, flipped the ball out to Roby who had Eastmond in support on his outside.
From the restart, TP was rampaging up the field again and after they showed good hands, Jamie Foster went over in the corner.
Foster adding to his earlier conversion.
After a great start, Saints then had to withstand three full sets on their own line – which they did – but then a forward pass handed the Wildcats another set. Saints held firm though and blanked the home side once again.
Saints could have scored on the 20th minute when a fast move saw Roby and Gaskell link up with Lomax and Eastmond for Foster to charge to the line – the youngster just losing the ball.
But minutes later they made the pressure pay once again. Saints forced a drop out and after a couple of solid drives Lomax showed sleight of hand to slip Wilkin in.
And on 28 minutes, Eastmond had his second as Roby won a quick play the ball to set him on his way to skin Matthew Blaymire.
Foster making it 24-0.
Still the Saints came and it was TP who was once again at the heart of Saints next try – splitting the defence down the middle and feeding Roby.
The 2007 Man of Steel had Eastmond and Lomax in attendance and combined with them to find Francis Meli, who in turn made no mistake in putting Foster over for his 17th of the season.
And as the hooter went, Foster worked the ball on the short side to send Jonny Lomax in from distance.
Foster kicking his fifth goal from six attempts.
Half Time: Wakefield 0 Saints 34
A scrappy start to the second half saw both sides consistently drop the ball before Francis Meli sold about 15 dummies on the way to his 12th of the season.
Foster adding another to make it 40-0.
Jon Wilkin limped off the field in the 55th minute and as he sat down in the dugout, Frank Mariano dropped the ball, Robes picked it up and Flannery did the rest.
Aaron Murphy added a late consolation for the Cats – goaled by Kieran Hyde – but it really was Saints’ day.
Match Summary:
Wakefield:
Tries: Murphy
Goals: Hyde (1 from 1)
Saints:
Tries: Eastmond (2), Foster (2), Wilkin, Lomax, Meli, Flannery
Goals: Foster (7 from 8)
Penalties:
Wakefield: 11
Saints: 12
HT: 34-0
FT: 46-6
REF: Steve Ganson
ATT: 5985
Teams:
Wakefield:
1. Matt Blaymire; 30. Greg Johnson, 5. Luke George, 3. Aaron Murphy, 37. Semi Tadulala; 27. Kieran Hyde, 14. Tommy Lee; 8. Michael Korkidas, 9. Julien Rinaldi, 31. Kyle Amor, 21. Frankie Mariano, 17. Paul Johnson, 15. Motu Tony.
Subs: 10. Paul King, 11. Kevin Henderson, 24. James Davey, 36. Jarrad Hickey.
Saints:
7. Kyle Eastmond; 28. Thomas Makinson, 3. Michael Shenton, 5. Francis Meli, 22. Jamie Foster; 25. Lee Gaskell, 20. Jonny Lomax; 10. James Graham, 9. James Roby, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 4. Sia Soliola, 12. Jon Wilkin, 11. Tony Puletua.
Subs: 13. Chris Flannery, 14. Scott Moore, 16. Paul Clough, 24. Tom Armstrong.
