FOUR second half tries saved the day for Saints as they came from behind to beat Salford City Reds 32-10 at the new Salford Community Stadium, writes Louise Fildes.
Salford took a 10-0 lead during the first half only for Josh Jones to pull one back on the stroke of half time.
But a quick double from Lance Hohaia and Tommy Makinson turned the match on its head before the floodgates opened in the final stages.
Saints scored through Jonny Lomax, Michael Shenton and Paul Wellens to seal the win and put pressure on Catalans in third.
Conditions prior to kick off were atrocious, with heavy rain battering down.
And although it seemed to hold up for kick off, it reared its ugly head midway through the first half.
That led to a quiet opening 20 minutes as both sides failed to build any momentum, with errors and penalties affecting both sides.
But it was Salford who scored first; Vinnie Anderson stretching over to give them a slender lead.
Saints went close on a two occasions – both denied by the officials – before Danny Williams scored Salford’s second try after a superb passing movement down the right hand side.
Josh Jones pulled on back for the visitors as he plucked a Lance Hohaia kick out of the air, goaled by Makinson, and it almost got better as the clock ticked down.
A fine pass from Michael Shenton just couldn’t be hauled in with the try line beckoning.
Saints opened the second half in the worst possible style, kicking the ball straight into touch from the kick off.
But they made amends five minutes later when Hohaia finally got the nod from the officials.
Tommy Makinson then went over after a superb high kick from Lee Gaskell to put Saints ahead.
Both teams struggled with the conditions and errors were aplenty but as the home side tired, Saints began to exploit gaps in the defence.
A testing high kick was taken easily by Lomax who ghosted through on 72 minutes to give Saints a comfortable lead and four minutes later it was Michael Shenton’s turn to get on the scoresheet as he breezed in to the right of the posts.
And it was left for Paul Wellens to grab his 203rd try in Saints colours with a superb solo effort down the left hand side.
Match Summary:
Salford:
Tries: Anderson, Williams
Goals: Holdsworth (1 from 2)
Saints:
Tries: Jones, Makinson, Hohaia, Lomax, Shenton, Wellens
Goals: Makinson (1 from 3), Gaskell (3 from 3)
Penalties:
Salford: TBC
Saints: TBC
HT: 6-10
FT: 32-10
REF: James Child
ATT: 5,447
Teams:
Salford:
1. Luke Patten; 2. Jodie Broughton, 4. Joel Moon, 3. Sean Gleeson, 5. Danny Williams; 6. Daniel Holdsworth, 7. Matty Smith; 12. Shannan McPherson, 24. Stuart Howarth, 15. Adam Sidlow, 11. Matty Ashurst, 27. Vinnie Anderson, 13. Stephen Wild.
Subs: 14. Chris Nero, 17. Iafeta Paleaaesina, 20. Ben Gledhill, 21. Jordan James.
Saints:
1. Paul Wellens; 21. Tom Makinson, 3. Michael Shenton, 26. Josh Jones, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Jonny Lomax; 11. Tony Puletua, 9. James Roby, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 13. Chris Flannery, 4. Sia Soliola, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 10, Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook, 15. Mark Flanagan, 16. Paul Clough, 20. Lee Gaskell.
