LUKE Walsh inspired Saints to a 48-18 victory over London Broncos.
The half back scored one and had a hand in the majority of his side’s nine tries as they returned to the top of the First Utility Super League.
His no look pass to Jonny Lomax for Tommy Makinson’s first half score was simply world class.
Saints cantered to a 20-0 lead thanks to tries from the excellent Matty Dawson, Tommy Makinson, Luke Walsh and Jonny Lomax before London replied towards the back end of that opening 40.
In the second, Walsh’s awareness on the last tackle created Lance Hohaia’s third of the season before Adam Swift polished off Dawson’s break.
London replied but two more Saints tries underlined their dominance – Mark Flanagan rounding off a good night’s work.
Saints looked more assured in attack this week with Hohaia returning at six and Luke Thompson at loose.
Carl Forster also cut an impressive figure off the bench too whilst the forwards stood up.
Saints started the match well with two smart kicks putting London under pressure.
The Broncos were up to that dual threat but they failed to control a third pin-point effort.
On the last, a simple kick through rebounded off Thomas Minns and Matty Dawson was on hand to collect.
Ten minutes in Walsh showed what a class act he is and again, it came on the last tackle.
Instead of opting to kick, he took Roby’s pass and scampered over from 20 yards out showing great footwork in the process.
Dawson was unlucky eight minutes later but a great 40:20 from Walsh set up Saints third try – Jonny Lomax on the shoulder of Luke Thompson after the youngster offloaded near the line.
Saints were rampant and their next try was simply world class.
On the last again, Walsh took on the line and produced a no-look reverse pass to Lomax who then fed Tommy Makinson for his 15th try of the season.
Words simply cannot do Walsh’s piece of skill justice…
Denny Solomona replied with an acrobatic finish after a wonderful flowing move from the visitors – converted by Josh Drinkwater.
That’s how it stayed until the second half, until Walsh did the business again.
It was another last tackle play; the half-back threatening to kick but dummying instead, breaking through and finding Hohaia on his inside.
Saints then underlined their dominance when Adam Swift finished off Dawson’s break.
Thomas Minns pulled one back for the Broncos after Saints failed to deal with a high ball but Alex Walmsley’s offload to James Roby sparked another score.
The mercurial number 9 scampered down the field and set up the position for Walsh to find Hohaia and then Joe Greenwood.
Lomax took a pass off his boots for Josh Jones’ score – Saints eighth of the night – before Atelea Vea rampaged through and offloaded to Mike Bishay.
London never gave up but Mark Flanagan’s late try was more than deserving for his performance.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Dawson, Walsh, Lomax, Makinson, Hohaia, Swift, Greenwood, Flanagan
Goals: Walsh (6 from 9)
Broncos:
Tries: Solomona, Minns, Bishay
Goals: Drinkwater (3 from 3)
Penalties:
Saints: 5
Broncos: 4
HT: 20-6
FT: 48-18
REF: Matthew Thomason
ATT: 9408
Teams:
Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax; 2. Tommy Makinson, 4. Josh Jones, 26. Matty Dawson, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Luke Walsh; 18. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 12. Jon Wilkin, 11. Sia Soliola, 28. Luke Thompson.
Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 15. Mark Flanagan, 23. Joe Greenwood, 30. Carl Forster.
Broncos:
6. Ben Farrar; 25. Iliess Macani, 23. Denny Solomona, 24. Mason Caton-Brown, 4. Thomas Minns; 7. Joshua Drinkwater, 14. Mike Bishay; 10. Olsi Krasniqi, 20. James Cunningham, 15. James Greenwood, 12. Matt Cook, 8. Atelea Vea, 13. Alex Foster.
Subs: 3. Jordan Atkins, 11. Mike McMeeken, 16. Nick Slyney, 30. Jon Wallace.
