Saints Beat Bulldogs

SAINTS ran in four tries as they beat Batley Bulldogs 20-0 at Langtree Park.

Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival, Mark Flanagan and Josh Jones crossed the whitewash in a patchy but encouraging first hit out of the season.

The quartet were strong and aided by strong performances from Kyle Amor and the pack.

Nathan Brown’s side led 8-0 at half time thanks to tries from Makinson and Percival.

The duo scored finished off great moves from around 20 yards out as the home side pushed the ball wide.

Batley also had their chances but found their hosts mean in defence.

In the second, Flanagan and Jones ensured a comfortable opening hit out as the defence did more than enough to keep a feisty Bulldogs at bay.

All credit to Batley though, they never gave up and will be a team to watch in the Championship.

Both coaches played strong teams in the friendly with Kyle Amor and Matty Dawson being given their bows for Saints.

On the bench for the home team were Alex Clare and Connor Dwyer – both called up into the first team squad this season – as well as Under 19s Jack Ashworth and Lewis Galbraith.

After Saints went close early doors through Tommy Makinson, the Bulldogs won a penalty and put pressure on their host’s line.

The ball went to ground though and that was unfortunately the theme for the opening stages as both sides struggled to make significant headway in poor conditions.

On 10 minutes, Batley won another penalty in Saints half but Scott Leatherbarrow couldn’t wrong foot Jonny Lomax with a clever chip.

Three minutes later Saints got a penalty of their own but good defence stopped the chance of a score.

It was a warning Batley didn’t heed however as after another penalty, the ball was pushed wide and Makinson made no mistake.

Percival wide with the extras in appalling conditions.

The Bulldogs continued to push but Saints were pretty hot on defence and denied them the chance to level up matters.

But the visitors did have chances though – almost prospering with five minutes to go as Dawson mishandled a tricky kick; it taking all Lomax’ skill to bundle the ball out of touch.

But as the hooter sounded for half time, Saints worked a great move from a scrum to send Mark Percival in.

Saints brought on Gardner, Wheeler, Manu, Walker and Hohaia for the second half and it was the latter that made a nice try for Flanagan on 48 minutes.

Percival converting to make it 14-0.

Ade Gardner scooted down the right hand side on 58 minutes to put Saints in great position, but a chip went dead on the last.

Lewis Charnock and Jack Ashworth were entered into the fray on 64 minutes with Connor Dwyer, James Tilley and Lewis Galbraith joining them three minutes later.

Willie Manu went close on around 70 minutes but a few minutes later Josh Jones sliced through the defence to make the game safe.

A try made and converted by Mark Percival to seal a comfortable night for Saints.

Match Summary:

Saints:
Tries: Makinson, Percival, Flanagan, Jones
Goals: Percival (2 from 3), Turner (0 from 1)

Bulldogs:
Tries:
Goals:

Penalties:
Saints: 8
Bulldogs: 4

HT: 8-0
FT: 20-0

REF: D Sharpe

ATT: TBC

Teams:

Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax; 2. Tommy Makinson, 22. Mark Percival, 4. Josh Jones, 26. Matty Dawson; 3. Jordan Turner, 12. Jon Wilkin; 16. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 18. Alex Walmsley, 15. Mark Flanagan, 23. Joe Greenwood, 29. Jordan Hand,
Subs: 6. Lance Hohaia, 13. Willie Manu, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 17. Paul Wellens, 19. Paul Clough, 21. Ade Gardner, 24. Gary Wheeler, 25. Anthony Walker, 27. Greg Richards, 30. Carl Forster, 31. James Tilley, 32. Lewis Charnock, 34. Connor Dwyer, 35. Alex Clare, **. Jack Ashworth, **. Lewis Galbraith.

Batley:
1. Miles Greenwood; 5. Jonny Campbell, 3. Alex Bretherton, 17. Lee Paterson, 2. Vinny Finigan; 6. Ben Black, 7. Scott Leatherbarrow; 8. Byron Smith, 14. Alistar Leak, 16. Brad Brennan, 12. Sam Scott, 19. Joe Chandler, 13. Mark Applegarth.
Subs: 4. Aayden Faal, 10. Alex Rowe, 11. John Davies, 15. Jay Leary, 18. Luke Blake, 28. Aaron Blake.

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