PAUL Wellens capped a memorable night with a try on his 400th appearance as Saints beat Huddersfield 19-6.
The full back was in good form as Saints’ immense defence quelled the Giants’ attack and cemented third spot in the Super League.
And his charges did it with just two recognised forwards…and Paul Clough sinbinned in the final stages.
For both sides renowned for their open attacking play the first half was punctuated with only one piece of class – Leon Pryce showing all his skill to put Saints one try to the good at half time.
Gaskell combined with Pryce to put Paul Wellens over early in the second half before Jon Wilkin’s sleight of hand saw Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook going 40 yards.
David Fa’alogo gave Huddersfield hope but even with 12 men Saints weren’t to be denied; Gaskell adding a drop goal late on.
Saints lost Tony Puletua in the build up to the fixture and had Tommy Makinson, Jonny Lomax and Chris Flannery all missing.
That meant a recall for both Andy Dixon and Matty Ashurst, whilst James Graham and James Roby shook off knocks to make the starting 13.
Huddersfield had no such worries with Nathan Brown naming virtually a full strength team.
Paul Wellens had the honour of leading out the Saints for his 400th appearance for the club.
And his side were on the attack early – forcing two drop outs within the first six minutes.
They came to nothing and after a Leon Pryce error the Giants almost took advantage.
The stand-off was having a quiet night but unlocked the Giants defence on 27 minutes with a classic mazy run and dummy.
He sidestepped two defenders to put Saints ahead – goaled by Foster.
Saints held that 6-0 lead to the break with some excellent defence and increased it in the opening minutes of the second half.
Lee Gaskell scampered along the line and fed Pryce who had Wellens on his shoulder for a fairytale try on a historic occasion.
And Foster’s 200th goal for the Club made it 12-0.
As the rain came down Saints withstood two sets right on their line – then punched a massive hole down the middle of the Giants’ defence to stretch the lead further.
Jon Wilkin did the damage down the centre before feeding Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook who went fully 40 yards with blokes hanging off him – plus a side step – to go under the posts.
Giants pulled one back with a piece of opportunistic play from David Fa’alogo – goaled by Brough.
Paul Clough was then sinbinned with 68 minutes gone for backchat but Lee Gaskell showed his growing maturity with a drop goal in the final seven minutes.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Pryce, Wellens. McCarthy-Scarsbrook
Goals: Foster (3 from 3)
Drop: Gaskell
Huddersfield:
Tries: Fa’alogo
Goals: Brough (1 from 1)
Penalties:
Saints: 4
Huddersfield: 10
HT: 6-0
FT: 19-6
REF: Phil Bentham
ATT: 6421
Teams:
Saints:
1. Paul Wellens; 24. Tom Armstrong, 3. Michael Shenton, 5. Francis Meli, 22. Jamie Foster; 6. Leon Pryce, 25. Lee Gaskell; 10. James Graham, 9. James Roby, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 4. Sia Soliola, 12. Jon Wilkin, 19. Andrew Dixon.
Subs: 14. Scott Moore, 16. Paul Clough, 17. Gary Wheeler, 18. Matty Ashurst.
Huddersfield:
1. Scott Grix; 20. Jermaine McGillvary, 19. Graeme Horne, 2. Michael Lawrence, 3. Leroy Cudjoe; 6. Kevin Brown, 7. Danny Brough; 10. Darrell Griffin, 9. Luke Robinson, 11. Luke O’Donnell, 17. Danny Kirmond, 4. Lee Gilmour, 13. David Faiumu.
Subs: 8. Eorl Crabtree, 12. David Fa’alogo, 16. Andy Raleigh, 18. Larne Patrick.
