SAINTS cruised into the Quarter Finals of the Challenge Cup with a straightforward 76-0 win over Oldham.
Francis Meli bagged a brace in a 14-try victory as Mike Rush’s men displayed all their Super League class.
But take nothing away from the Roughyeds, they battled until the end and earned a standing ovation from the crowd for their efforts.
Saints scored seven tries in the first half to lead 38-0.
Oldham tried hard, and came with an excellent kicking game, but couldn’t live with the home side’s pace.
Tries from Jonny Lomax, Paul Clough, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Josh Jones, Sia Soliola, Tommy Makinson and Paul Wellens give the scoreboard a lop-sided appearance.
Once Jamie Dallimore was sent to the bin for coming in late on James Roby in the second half, it became a procession.
Francis Meli and Michael Shenton added further scores before Shaun Magennis clocked his first of the year.
Meli, Lomax and Jones all got their braces as the half went on then the big Kiwi winger completed his hat-trick on the stroke of full time.
It was a little harsh on Oldham who had started the game well.
They got into the faces of the home side from the off and began with a repeat set.
But Saints weathered the danger and then pounced; a massive penalty kick clearing the lines and then Jonny Lomax walking through a huge gap.
On 10 minutes Saints once again pressured the Roughyeds’ line and a simple pass from Roby saw Clough go over for his first of the season.
Lomax converting.
Led by ex-Saints Miles Greenwood and Mark McCully Oldham gathered their senses after Saints’ early blitz and began to make good yards into opposition territory.
Jamie Dallimore in particular was turning Saints’ back line around on every set.
But on 22 minutes a little bit of Roby magic unlocked the defence and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook bashed over for his third of the season.
Josh Jones added Saints’ next score, Lomax adding his third goal of the night, then Sia Soliola was too strong to crash over for his seventh of the year.
Roby, Sia and Michael Shenton then combined to put Tommy Makinson before a fantastic Francis Meli break saw Paul Wellens cutting inside past two players to make it 38-0 at half time.
Oldham came out late in the second half and were down to 12 men within a couple of minutes after Jamie Dallimore came in late on James Roby. From the penalty, Meli had the easy chance of increasing the lead.
Seconds later, Lomax was feeding Michael Shenton for another before Shaun Magennis crossed for his first of the season.
Francis Meli added his second, matched by Lomax with 10 to go and then Josh Jones repeated the feat as the clock ticked down.
And on the stroke of full time the big winger crashed over for his hat-trick.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Lomax (2), Clough, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Jones (2), Soliola, Makinson, Wellens, Meli (3), Shenton, Magennis
Goals: Lomax (10 from 13)
Oldham:
Tries:
Goals:
Penalties:
Saints: 11
Oldham: 4
HT: 38-0
FT: 76-0
REF: George Stokes
ATT: 5746
Teams:
Saints:
1. Paul Wellens; 21. Tommy Makinson, 3. Michael Shenton, 26. Josh Jones, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Jonny Lomax; 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 9. James Roby, 16. Paul Clough, 19. Andrew Dixon, 4. Sia Soliola, 15. Mark Flanagan.
Subs: 13. Chris Flannery, 18. Shaun Magennis, 25. Carl Forster, 28. Joe Greenwood.
Oldham:
1. Miles Greenwood, 2. Mark Brocklehurst, 3. David Cookson, 4. Matt Fogarty, 5. Shaun Robinson, 6. Danny Whitmore, 7. Jamie Dallimore, 8. Jason Boults, 9. Martin Roden, 10. Chris Clarke, 11. Mark McCully, 12. Michael Ward, 13. Valu Bentley.
Subs: 14. Jamie Acton, 15. Alex Thompson, 16. Dave Ellison, 17.Matty Syron.
