SAINTS cruised into their eleventh consecutive Challenge Cup Semi Final in a row with a comprehensive 54-6 demolition of Hull KR.
Rampant in attack, they ran in ten tries with Jonny Lomax, Leon Pryce, Scott Moore and Michael Shenton at the heart of a dynamic performance.
An end to end first half saw Saints lead 20-6 and producing some of their best rugby league of the season.
Tries from Leon Pryce, Sia Soliola and Jon Wilkin put them 16-0 to the good, before Ben Galea pulled one back.
But a stunning move involving Pryce, Lomax and Shenton saw Tommy Makinson in for his eighth of the season.
Scott Moore rounded off a fine move early in the second half before Lomax capped off a fine display with a scampering effort.
Moore’s offload to James Roby brought up their seventh of the afternoon – and he then chipped through for Makinson to nudge his second.
Eastmond and Lomax continued the roll for Wilkin’s second, before Michael Shenton completed the rout with one of his own.
Royce Simmons made a couple of changes from the side that beat Catalans last week – Paul Wellens returning from an Achilles injury and Leon Pryce starting at 6.
Elsewhere, Tony Puletua stepped up to prop with Jon Wilkin filling in at 13.
Hull KR named their strongest squad of the season – and a daunting one too.
After a tight opening eight minutes with Hull KR just on top Leon Pryce showed just what makes him such a dangerous player.
Making a mini-break and winning another six as the ball went to ground – on the next drive he found a gap and plunged over.
Foster with the conversion.
Rovers smashed the ball out on the restart and following another penalty, Michael Shenton’s well-timed pass saw Sia Soliola in.
Saints third try was world class – Wilkin broke down the centre and found Lomax who skipped through two challenges. His pass then went to ground but Wilkin was on hand to chip forward and increase Saints lead.
At 16-0 up, Saints were looking comfortable but after they were penalised Ben Galea found a gaping hole to get the Robins back into it.
Dobson making it a 10 point game.
But on the back of a penalty, Saints were up the field and Pryce, Lomax and Shenton combined for Tommy Makinson to get over for his eighth of the season.
Saints could have been out of site but after Francis Meli intercepted Blake Green’s pass and went fully 80 yards, Kris Welham made a wonder tackle right in the corner.
Saints 20-6 to the good at half time.
The second half couldn’t have begun any better – Tony Puletua breaking through the middle, finding Lomax who neatly sidestepped and sent Scott Moore in.
Foster with his third conversion of the afternoon.
Jonny Lomax grabbed Saints sixth score when a dummy runner and cut out ball saw him race through a massive gap.
Moore provided the pass for Roby for Saints’ seventh before his erstwhile boot saw Makinson grab his second.
Eastmond linked with Lomax for Wilkin’s second, then Michael Shenton added one of his own late on to complete the deal.
Saints march on to their eleventh successive final and their desire for silverware continues.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Pryce, Soliola, Wilkin (2), Makinson (2), Moore, Lomax, Roby, Shenton
Goals: Foster (7 from 10)
Hull KR:
Tries: Galea
Goals: Dobson (1 from 1)
Penalties:
Saints: 12
Hull KR: 7
HT: 20-6
FT: 54-6
REF: Ben Thaler
ATT: 6449
Teams:
Saints:
1. Paul Wellens; 28. Thomas Makinson, 3. Michael Shenton, 5. Francis Meli, 22. Jamie Foster; 6. Leon Pryce, 20. Jonny Lomax; 10. James Graham, 9. James Roby, 11. Tony Puletua, 4. Sia Soliola, 13. Chris Flannery, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 7. Kyle Eastmond 14. Scott Moore, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 21. Shaun Magennis.
Hull KR:
1. Shaun Briscoe; 2. Peter Fox, 3. Kris Welham, 4. Jake Webster, 5. Liam Colbon; 6. Blake Green, 7. Michael Dobson; 20. Michael Vella, 18. Josh Hodgson, 16. Jason Netherton, 11. Clint Newton, 12. Ben Galea, 13. Scott Murrell.
Subs: 8. Rhys Lovegrove, 9. Ben Fisher, 15. Scott Wheeldon, 22. Scott Taylor.
