TOMMY Makinson grabbed a hat-trick as Saints came from behind to beat Castleford 40-24.
In red hot conditions the youngster swung the game in his side’s favour with two tries in five second half minutes.
Saints weathered a poor start to comeback from 10-0 and 16-6 down.
Tommy Makinson pegged the home side back before Weller Hauraki replied to build on earlier tries from Richard Owen and Jordan Tansey.
But a sensational Jonny Lomax try made it a four-point game at the break.
Luke Thompson wiped out the deficit seven minutes into the second half and a minute later Jordan Turner was over.
Justin Carney replied but an interception from Makinson gave Saints a 10 point lead.
Tommy then notched his hat-trick seconds later.
The final ten minutes was all about survival in the blistering heat, but Rangi Chase did give the home support something to cheer late on before Alex Walmsley finished it off for Saints.
Nathan Brown handed a debut to Greg Richards whilst recalling Paul Clough and Luke Thompson to the starting line-up.
‘LMS’ moved to loose forward allowing Jon Wilkin to return to the half backs.
Saints opened up the match well, kicking deep and then having a good chance when Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook produced a monster run.
Castleford hit back with a great set following an interception and then broke the deadlock when a poor kicking clearance was gobbled up and fed to Richard Owen.
Jordan Turner was on hand to scoop up a loose pass on a promising Tigers’ attack on 11 minutes and a strong Wilkin kick on the last put the home side back in their 10.
Castleford were pulled back for a forward pass four minutes later – and it was fortunate as they looked set to increase the advantage.
Paul Wellens replaced James Roby and within seconds Jordan Tansey skipped through some poor tackling.
Saints hit back when O’Brien chipped over the top for Tommy Makinson to romp home from 40 yards but within minutes Castleford restored the advantage.
Rangi Chase bamboozled the defence and Weller Hauraki pounced.
Saints were unlucky when O’Brien’s kick almost saw Lomax gather and then the visitors had to be stout in defence after a forward pass gifted Cas great territory.
Saints forced a drop out, but failed to capitalise.
Moments later though, they did, and it was world class.
Wilkin fed Josh Jones within his own 20, the youngster broke through, found Lomax who scampered forward and then horizontally to the line, sidestepped and flew over from 50 yards.
O’Brien with his second kick to leave Saints just four points behind at half time.
After gaining possession from the kick off, the visitors were in prime territory to pile on the pressure.
And two penalties gave them a great chance – but the ball went to ground on the first tackle.
Saints levelled when Wilkin combined with Wellens to send in Luke Thompson and O’Brien notched the conversion to give them a two-point advantage.
Jordan Turner tallied seconds later but on 54 minutes it was game on as Justin Carney showed tremendous strength to get over in the corner.
A try saving tackle from Francis Meli on Daryl Clark kept the slender advantage – and quelled a big momentum shift after the home try.
Saints then weathered two penalties on their own line and when Cas pushed the pass Tommy Makinson intercepted and went 80 yards.
And seconds later he picked a Turner pass off his boot-straps for his hat-trick.
Paul Clough was held up over the line with 10 minutes to go but Rangi Chase did cross late on for a consolation.
But it was Saints’ afternoon and Alex Walmsley got over at the death to send the Saints fans home happy.
Match Summary:
Tigers:
Tries: Owen, Tansey, Hauraki, Carney, Chase
Goals: Dixon (2 from 4), Tansey (0 from 1)
Saints:
Tries: Makinson (3), Lomax, Thompson, Turner, Walmsley
Goals: O’Brien (6 from 7)
Penalties:
Tigers: 7
Saints: 9
HT: 12-16
FT: 40-24
REF: George Stokes
ATT: 8229
Teams:
Tigers:
19. Jordan Tansey; 1. Richard Owen, 3. Michael Shenton, 5. Kirk Dixon, 2. Justin Carney; 12. Weller Hauraki, 6. Rangi Chase; 27. Ryan Boyle, 15. Adam Milner, 10. Craig Huby, 18. Jordan Thompson, 13. Grant Millington, 16. Nathan Massey.
Subs: 8. Jonathan Walker, 9. Daryl Clark, 17. Oliver Holmes, 25. Keith Mason.
Saints:
7. Jonny Lomax; 21. Tom Makinson, 3. Jordan Turner, 19. Josh Jones, 5. Francis Meli; 12. Jon Wilkin, 37. Gareth O’Brien; 11. Tony Puletua, 9. James Roby, 16. Paul Clough, 33. Luke Thompson, 13. Willie Manu, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Subs: 1. Paul Wellens, 24. Joe Greenwood, 25. Alex Walmsley, 38. Greg Richards.
