FOUR tries in 14 breathtaking minutes saw Saints come from behind to beat Wakefield 24-16.
Down on the scoreboard and in numbers they overturned a 16-4 deficit to remain top of the First Utility Super League.
Sia Soliola, Matty Dawson, Joe Greenwood and Tommy Makinson all crossed in a second half blitz after Wakefield had wrestled the game into their control.
Before then Josh Jones had given Saints – missing a number of first team stars – a deserved lead.
He finished off great work by Jonny Lomax and Tommy Makinson and showed a bundle of strength to go over.
But Danny Kirmond, Reece Lynne and Paul McShane put the Wildcats on the front foot – until Saints hit back to win their sixth game in a row.
Wakefield have been free scoring of late and with the visitors making a number of changes anything other it was anyone’s guess where the points would end up.
Matty Dawson made his debut, Jon Wilkin came in for Luke Walsh, Mark Flanagan started for the first time this year and Anthony Walker deputised for the suspended Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
In the original line-up Lance Hohaia also moved to the bench but he was replaced just before kick off by Joe Greenwood who alongside Greg Richards who made his season bow.
Saints started the match well with Kyle Amor in particular punching holes in the host’s defence and producing one big hand-off that left Nic Scruton on the deck.
But Wakefield threatened the line first – having one chalked off for a forward pass.
Both sides exchanged penalties – Saints failing to control the ball on theirs – whilst Wakefield were held up over the line as the game hit the 15 minute mark.
A cute chip from James Roby forced a drop out moments later but Saints couldn’t find a way past a resolute defence.
Something needed to break the deadlock and it was a piece of brilliance from Jonny Lomax.
He took Amor’s ball, scampered down the field and fed Tommy Makinson.
The winger hugged the touchline and then came back inside to pass to Josh Jones who shook off two tackles to crash over.
Wakefield hit back on the half hour mark.
Saints failed to significantly clear their lines on the last giving their hosts excellent field position. They then were penalised but looked to have defended their lines well until the last tackle.
Danny Kirmond somehow found the space to take a short ball and get over in the corner when Saints seemed to have covered all options.
It got worse for Saints too shortly after as a stray pass was collected and returned 80 yards by Jarrod Sammut and Reece Lyne.
That gave Wakefield a six point advantage at the break and they added to that within the first couple of minutes of the second half; Paul McShane throwing an outrageous dummy and ghosting over on the last.
Saints needed something big once more and they got it from Sia Soliola who went in after a great passage of play.
And then they scored again.
On the last Paul Wellens took it right to the line and eked out a delicate chip for Matty Dawson to put down with inches to spare.
Saints then went ahead; Joe Greenwood running a fantastic line to collect Wilkin’s pass.
And the comeback was complete when Wilkin’s pinpoint kick to the corner was collected like a salmon by Tommy Makinson.
Four tries in 14 minutes to completely turn the game around.
Wakefield got their hands on the ball on the 68th minute but couldn’t take advantage because Saints defence was too strong.
And that frustration boiled over as a little bit of ‘balloons on sticks’ took place between both sides near the main stand.
There was nothing in it though.
Ali Lauitiiti was placed on report for flattening Lomax with a massive hit as the game entered its final stages and then Amor flew in and whacked Ryan with three minutes to go to earn himself a nervous few days with the judiciary.
Saints repelled borders though and hung on for their best win to date.
Match Summary:
Wakefield:
Tries: Kirmond, Lynne, McShane
Goals: Sammut (2 from 3)
Saints:
Tries: Jones, Soliola, Dawson, Greenwood, Makinson
Goals: Makinson (2 from 5)
Penalties:
Wakefield: 8
Saints: 11
HT: 4-10
FT: 24-16
REF: Tim Roby
ATT: 5087
Teams:
Wakefield:
1. Richard Mathers; 2. Peter Fox, 19. Jimmy Keinhorst, 5. Reece Lyne, 31. Chris Riley; 20. Jarrod Sammut, 7. Pita Godinet; 8. Scott Anderson, 9. Paul McShane, 30. Nick Scruton, 11. Ali Lauitiiti, 12. Danny Kirmond, 17. Taulima Tautai.
Subs: 10. Andy Raleigh, 15. Matty Ryan, 23. Daniel Smith, 29. Harry Siejka,
Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax; 2. Tommy Makinson, 4. Josh Jones, 26. Matty Dawson, 5. Adam Swift; 17. Paul Wellens, 12. Jon Wilkin; 16. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 13. Willie Manu, 15. Mark Flanagan, 25. Anthony Walker.
Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 11. Sia Soliola, 23. Joe Greenwood, 27. Greg Richards.
