SAINTS produced a professional performance to beat Castleford Tigers 44-12.
They were potent in both defence and attack scoring eight tries whilst limiting the visitors to just two effort on their line.
Tommy Makinson chipped in with 14 points whilst Mike Rush would certainly have been pleased with the returns of Gary Wheeler and Adam Swift.
Saints looked comfortable in building up a 20-8 half time lead with Paul Wellens and Sia Soliola at the hub.
The latter’s bullocking runs gave Saints field position time and time again whilst the captain scored one and laid another on a plate for Tommy Makinson.
In the second half, Makinson raced the length of the field for his second before Gary Wheeler latched onto Lance Hohaia’s kick.
Adam Swift tagged another before Jonny Lomax produced an arcing run to seal a great night’s work.
Hoping to bounce back from recent defeats, Rush and Cunningham made three changes from the side that lost narrowly to Wakefield at the weekend.
Sia Soliola returned from injury in the second row whilst Adam Swift and Gary Wheeler came in for Michael Shenton and Josh Jones.
The opening five minutes saw both sides feel each other out before Castleford applied some sustained pressure on Saints’ line.
It came to nothing and on Saints first foray into the Cas’ half Hohaia almost got through before a superb kick was taken in the air by Anthony Laffranchi.
Makinson tagging on the two.
Just after the 20th minute the lead was doubled. Two penalties marched Saints up the field and a sweeping move to the left saw Paul Wellens go over for his 21st of the season.
Whilst the passing movement was swift and too much for the Tigers’ defence, it was Chris Flannery’s offload when he look tied up that made the four pointer.
Makinson added the extras but that lead was cut by Paul Jackson who pulled one back when Jonny Lomax was penalised for a harsh obstruction.
Saints weren’t hanging about through and within five minutes a massive run by Soliola had Wellens in a great position to fire over a cut out ball to Makinson.
And with less than two minutes remaining, a great kick through from Lomax bamboozled the defence and Flannery pounced.
That made it 20-6 at half time and that lead was stretched further ten minutes into the second half. Castleford pushed the ball wide but Orr’s pass was intercepted by Makinson who scorched around 95 yards in 12 seconds.
Wheels converting.
Lance Hohaia’s slide rule kick brought up Saints’ sixth try as Wheeler profited, and then Adam Swift took full advantage of Wellens’ break.
Saints were rampant and their next score was all down to kick from Robes from inside his half and LMS racing down the field to force a drop out.
From there Lomax went on the angle and had too much for the defence.
Wheeler with his third kick of the night.
Steve Snitch pulled one back as the game entered its final stages but Saints always looked in control.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Laffranchi, Wellens, Makinson (2), Flannery, Wheeler, Swift, Lomax
Goals: Makinson (3 from 5), Wheeler (3 from 3)
Tigers:
Tries: Jackson, Snitch
Goals: Orr (2 from 2)
Penalties:
Saints: 8
Tigers: 7
HT: 20-6
FT: 44-12
REF: George Stokes
ATT: 12224
Teams:
Saints:
1. Paul Wellens; 21. Tommy Makinson, 34. Adam Swift, 17. Gary Wheeler, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Jonny Lomax; 8. Josh Perry, 9. James Roby, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 4. Sia Soliola, 13. Chris Flannery, 11. Tony Puletua.
Subs: 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Mark Flanagan, 16. Paul Clough, 19. Andy Dixon.
Tigers:
1. Richard Owen; 2. Nick Youngquest, 13. Steve Snitch, 25. Jordan Thompson, 5. Josh Griffin; 30. Ben Johnston, 7. Danny Orr; 8. Jacob Emmitt, 16. Ryan Hudson, 10. Craig Huby, 20. Grant Millington, 14. Stuart Jones, 17. Lee Mitchell.
Subs: 15. Adam Milner, 19. Paul Jackson, 21. Oliver Holmes, 22. Nathan Massey.
