SAINTS secured their fifth win in a row as they overcame a stubborn Wakefield 26-12.
They ran in five tries in a performance that was high on effort, graft and superb defence – especially when down to 12 men.
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook had received ten minutes in the second half as the Wildcats began to get on top.
But Jonny Lomax pulled off a wonder tackle to deny a certain score and then had a hand in the eventual winner.
Before then, Saints were good value for their 16-6 lead at the break.
Tries from Anthony Laffranchi, Adam Swift and Sia Soliola underlined their dominance before Reece Lynne fired home a top class reply.
In the second half, Lomax dove on Tommy Makinson’s chip before LMS was sinbinned after his side were warned for persistent offside.
Kyle Amor replied but Lomax and Hohaia had other ideas as they ensured Saints consolidated fifth spot on Super League.
Results like this are always based on good foundations and Nathan Brown’s side got off to a cracking start when the home side had to drop out after they made a mess of Jonny Lomax’ kick off.
And within two tackles Jon Wilkin found Anthony Laffranchi on his shoulder and he stretched out for his eighth of the season.
Lomax with the conversion.
Stu Howarth’s scampering run and Wilkin’s kick then forced another drop out – and Saints duly profited once more.
Willie Manu was then held up before Francis Meli displayed great footwork to draw in the defence and put Adam Swift over for his twelfth in the Red V.
Wakefield got back into the game – in terms of pressure anyway – as Tim Smith began to exert his authority.
He produced a couple of nice kicks to give the home side territory and Swift had to be sharp to stop a certain score.
Saints almost went further ahead when Tommy Makinson broke the line and found Jordan Turner. But as the centre was heading into touch he threw his pass inside and it was collected by a very happy defence.
Sia Soliola – in the 17 in place of Greg Richards – made his welcome return from injury on 26 minutes and the first thing he did was drive Saints to within inches.
His second touch was even better too – taking the great work of Hohaia and Josh Jones around the ruck and converting it into four points!
Lomax tagging on the extras for 16-0.
Alex Walmsley was held up over the line shortly afterwards before Wakefield finally forced a drop out and some possession.
Soliola mopped up a poor pass though and Saints repelled borders.
Wakefield did eventually respond though and it was a right cracker. Saints lacked a bit of togetherness on their right hand side and Reece Lyne undid the defence, at dummy half, to fly in from distance.
Lee Smith making it a ten point game from an acute angle and giving the Wildcats hope at half time.
Saints defended an early cross field kick before increasing the lead with a fantastic try.
They were too strong down the right hand side, Makinson chipped through and Lomax dove on it just as it was going dead.
Wakefield then entered their best period but couldn’t get over the line.
Likewise Saints pushed it when the home side knocked on but couldn’t convert a fantastic Adam Swift break.
But four penalties in a row handed the Wildcats the impetus as the game and then LMS was sinbinned as Saints were warned for the final time.
And Kyle Amor took full advantage before Lee Smith tagged on his second conversion.
It was an eight point game and with the referee pinging Saints back something had to give.
Thankfully, it wasn’t the visitors’ resolve.
TP offloaded in the centre to put Lomax in the clear and he found Hohaia in support to get in under the sticks.
Lomax adding his third conversion of the afternoon.
Wakefield almost scored with less than 100 seconds in the match but Ben Cockayne just couldn’t pull in a great chip over.
Match Summary:
Wildcats:
Tries: Lynne, Amor
Goals: L. Smith (2 from 2)
Saints:
Tries: Laffranchi, Swift, Soliola, Lomax, Hohaia
Goals: Lomax (3 from 5)
Penalties:
Wildcats: 9
Saints: 3
HT: 16-6
FT: 26-12
REF: James Child
ATT: 7985
Teams:
Wildcats:
1. Richard Mathers; 28. Liam Kay, 3. Dean Collis, 20. Reece Lyne, 5. Ben Cockayne; 4. Lee Smith, 7. Tim Smith; 8. Justin Poore, 9. Paul Aiton, 15. Kyle Amor, 12. Danny Kirmond, 13. Danny Washbrook, 32. Taulima Tautai.
Subs: 10. Andy Raleigh, 11. Ali Lauitiiti, 16. Oliver Wilkes, 26. Bobbie Goulding.
Saints:
7. Jonny Lomax; 21. Tom Makinson, 3. Jordan Turner, 5. Francis Meli, 26. Adam Swift; 12. Jon Wilkin, 6. Lance Hohaia; 11. Tony Puletua, 36. Stuart Howarth, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 19. Josh Jones, 13. Willie Manu, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Subs: 1. Paul Wellens, 4. Sia Soliola, 25. Alex Walmsley, 27. Anthony Walker.
