SAINTS won their first tour match 26-6 against Wests Juniors writes Jason Emery.
Saints started off in impressive fashion in drizzly rain and skipped out to a 14-0 lead in the first 15 minutes with tries to Adam Swift, Mark Percival and Greg Wilde, the latter after a superb offload from Luke Thompson.
As the weather deteriorated the game became scrappy and Saints started to turn over too much ball, especially early in the tackle count.
Saints should have been further ahead but weren’t clinical enough and bombed a couple of chances to extend their lead.
The defence was magnificent though when the Wests team dominated possession and field position prior to the half time break they held out for six sets in a row.
St Helens wrapped up the game with further second half tries to Brad Ashurst and Mark Percival, set up well by Dom Speakman and conceded just the one to Wests for a final scoreline of 26-6.
Apart from a few bumps and bruises, no major injuries were reported and the Coaching staff were happy to get a win under their belts against strong opposition in tough conditions.
Standout players were Adam Hesketh, Greg Richards and Adam Swift.
Saints: Charnock; Parry, Percival, Swift, Wilde; Speakman, Yates; Richards, Foster, Hesketh, Thompson, Clare, Tilley.
Subs: Savellio, Wood, Webster, Fozzard, Skupski, Ashurst, Heaton.
Dom Speakman – Best Back as named by Warren McDonald – Head of Recruitment at West Tigers.
Greg Richards – Best Forward as named by Warren McDonald – West Tigers Recruitment.