A MAN of the match performance from Jonny Lomax sent Saints on their way to an excellent 52-18 win over Wakefield.
The full back bagged a hat-trick and added eight conversions from nine as Nathan Brown’s side ran riot at Langtree Park.
Wakefield twice battled back from deficits but Saints stood firm and deservedly led 22-12 at half time.
Alex Walmsley and Jordan Turner sandwiched the visitor’s scores before Jonny Lomax forged the home side ahead.
Turner then grabbed his second after some great work from Francis Meli.
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook opened his account in the second half and although Wakefield threatened a comeback, it was always going to be Saints and Lomax’ day.
He tallied twice with another from Tommy Makinson to end a satisfactory night – in both defence and attack.
At several times Saints were forced to defend their own lines with a very young side on the field.
Jordan Hand made his debut whilst Brown opted to start the impressive Anthony Walker at loose forward.
Tommy Makinson came in for Ade Gardner and big Alex Walmsley started from the bench – Tony Puletua missing out.
Wakefield got off to the best possible start when on their opening set Dean Collis got the better of his opposite number and Richard Mathers mopped up.
Paul Sykes tagging on the conversion.
Jon Wilkin replied with a couple of deep kicks and was rewarded as a neat little chip over the top saw the Wildcats concede a drop out.
And from that position Saints levelled; shifting the ball inside, dummies a plenty and Alex Walmsley showing great feet to get in.
Jonny Lomax levelling.
Lance Hohaia played a massive part in that first try and it was his sleight of hand that saw Lomax increase the lead.
His brain was too quick for the defence and seeing Lomax on his shoulder he put him through.
The youngster then sidestepped, ignited the afterburners for his first of a complete performance.
Wakefield levelled minutes later though as Ben Cockayne continued his excellent scoring form with his eighth of the campaign.
Saints were rocked as they had the ascendency – but that was re-established as Jordan Turner pounced on James Roby’s chip-through.
The score – whilst fortuitous because of the bounce in-goal – came after a wonderful break from Saints. Hohaia sent a beautiful short ball to Lomax who tipped it on to Turner.
Meli then took it up, brought it back inside with Hohaia on his shoulder. From there, Roby did the rest.
Lomax making it 18-12 from the touchline.
And with five minutes to go Saints were further ahead. Meli wriggled out of three tackles and slipped a pass to Turner for his second of the night.
Jon Wilkin’s inside ball gave ‘LMS’ his first of the season nine minutes into the second half – goaled by Lomax.
Wakefield had six sets on Saints line – but couldn’t find a way through – but they did on their next set.
Washbrook made a mini break and fed Collis to make it a 10 point game after Sykes’ conversion.
Saints didn’t hang around though and after winning a penalty the excellent Hohaia combined with Wilkin for Lomax to cut back inside and make Mathers lose his footing.
Jonny goaled and then added his third try on Saints’ next set.
A wonderful offload in the tackle found its way to the full back and he squirmed over.
And the night was nearly complete when Tommy Makinson finished off Sia Soliola’s break with 10 to go and Lomax sent over the conversion from the touchline.
Whilst the plaudits will undoubtedly head to Lomax though, it was left to the superb Hohaia to jink his way over to complete a fine evening.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Walmsley, Lomax (3), Turner (2), McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Makinson, Hohaia
Goals: Lomax (8 from 9)
Wildcats:
Tries: Mathers, Cockayne, Collis
Goals: Sykes (3 from 3)
Penalties:
Saints: 7
Wildcats: 9
HT: 22-12
FT: 52-18
REF: Robert Hicks
ATT: 11211
Teams:
Saints:
7. Jonny Lomax; 21. Tommy Makinson, 3. Jordan Turner, 19. Josh Jones, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Lance Hohaia, 12. Jon Wilkin; 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 9. James Roby, 25. Alex Walmsley, 13. Willie Manu, 4. Sia Soliola, 27. Anthony Walker.
Subs: 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Mark Flanagan, 16. Paul Clough, 28. Jordan Hand.
Wildcats:
1. Richard Mathers; 2. Peter Fox, 3. Dean Collis, 20. Reece Lyne, 5. Ben Cockayne; 6. Paul Sykes, 14. Kyle Wood; 16. Oliver Wilkes, 9. Paul Aiton, 15. Kyle Amor, 19. Vince Mellars, 17. Frankie Mariano, 13. Danny Washbrook.
Subs: 4. Lee Smith, 18. Kyle Trout, 21. Matt Wildie, 27. Chris Annakin.
