SAINTS produced their must disappointing performance of the season as they were downed 24-12 at home to Hull KR.
Despite having the lion’s share of possession and a lopsided penalty count in their favour, poor ball control meant they failed to build at pressure on their opponents.
Three players saw yellow too – two from the visitors – but Saints couldn’t make any headway to take advantage.
Saints found themselves 16-0 down within 20 minutes as Michael Dobson was imperious.
Tries from Travis Burns – a controversial one – Alex Brown and Greg Eden underlined the visitor’s dominance.
Nathan Brown’s side steadied the ship a little, in terms of defence anyway, but failed to ask enough questions of the Robins’ back line.
In the second half Saints toiled once more until Jonny Lomax fed Francis Meli for his 11th of the season.
Mickey Paea became the third player to head into the sinbin with 20 minutes to go, but Dobson sandwiched it with two penalties.
He then added another to take it out to 16 points.
Anthony Laffranchi added a late score but it was too little too late.
Saints made one change pre match – Stuart Howarth coming in for Luke Thompson.
Hull KR brought in Aaron Ollett on the bench – Sean Gleeson and Lincoln Withers missing out from the original 19 man squad – and Rhys Lovegrove pulled out just before kick-off because if illness.
That saw Jordan Cox moving into the second row and Richard Beaumont named as substitute.
Hull KR kicked off – and had the first chance – as Saints knocked the ball on in their set.
They couldn’t find a way through the defence though as the home rearguard was too good.
Gareth O’Brien then took on the line and was held up inches short on the last.
But Hull KR took the lead in controversial circumstances. The referee seemed to give a ball steal on Travis Burns but then awarded the away side the try.
Dobson kicked the conversion and within seconds he had engineered a fine try for Alex Brown.
And it could have been 14-0 after Hull KR forced a drop out and almost scored on their repeat set.
Alex Walmsley was involved in a little scuffle with Adam Walker; an altercation that saw both Paul Wellens and Travis Burns sinbinned.
Saints needed cool heads but on the next set, from the resultant penalty, Dobson was once again instrumental in Greg Eden flying over.
It wasn’t as if the home side hadn’t had the possession too – seven penalties heading their way in the first 30 minutes.
But ball control was lacking and it was too easy for Rovers to defend.
Saints went into the sheds 16-0 down and had a glimpse in the first couple of seconds when Cory Patterson was penalised for taking O’Brien out.
Once again though, as it had done pretty much all the way through the first half, the ball went to ground.
A high ball was defused by Greg Eden in the 49th minute but Saints finally broke their duck 60 seconds later.
Jonny Lomax flew at the line and fed Francis Meli for his 11th of the year.
O’Brien smashing it over from the touchline too.
Mickey Paea saw yellow with 20 minutes to go for a high tackle after his side was warned for persistent foul play.
But Michael Dobson’s pinpoint kicking landed two penalties either side of that indiscretion to make the gap 14 points.
And he then added another on 65 minutes.
Anthony Laffranchi crossed with six minutes to go – Tommy Makinson goaling – but another knock on and penalty allowed Dobson to do his stuff and seal the win.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Meli, Laffranchi
Goals: O’Brien (1 from 1), Makinson (1 from 1)
Hull KR:
Tries: Burns, Brown, Eden
Goals: Dobson (7 from 8)
Penalties:
Saints: 16
Hull KR: 8
HT: 0-16
FT: 12-24
REF: Robert Hicks
ATT: 10820
Teams:
Saints:
7. Jonny Lomax; 21. Tom Makinson, 3. Jordan Turner, 19. Josh Jones, 5. Francis Meli; 1. Paul Wellens, 37. Gareth O’Brien; 11. Tony Puletua, 9. James Roby, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 36. Stuart Howarth, 13. Willie Manu, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 6. Lance Hohaia, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 24. Joe Greenwood, 25. Alex Walmsley.
Hull KR:
1. Greg Eden; 26. Alex Brown, 15. Graeme Horne, 2. Craig Hall, 5. David Hodgson; 6. Travis Burns, 7. Michael Dobson; 23. Mickey Paea, 9. Josh Hodgson, 16. Adam Walker, 20. Jordan Cox, 12. Cory Paterson, 11. Constantine Mika.
Subs: 8. Evarn Tuimavave, 21. Keal Carlile, 22. Richard Beaumont, 29. Aaron Ollett.
