SAINTS produced a performance full of tenacity, passion and no little skill as they downed Huddersfield 41-22.
Down on players but not on heart, Nathan Brown’s men ran in seven tries to remain within one point of leaders Leeds.
And in reality it could have been a lot more with Paul Anderson bemoaning his side’s poor show afterwards.
Saints led from the front with Mose Masoe having his best game in the Red Vee and James Roby world class – ably assisted by Lance Hohaia, the evergreen Paul Wellens and Luke Walsh.
Their line speed and aggression led to a 22-6 advantage at half time before Saints scored another 19 points in the second.
That scoreline flattered the opposition a little and ensured Saints bounced back from last week’s disappointment.
Considering a hefty injury list, Saints starting 13 looked strong with Paul Wellens at fullback and Mose Masoe starting at prop.
The bench was a little young, but with plenty of Super League experience.
Huddersfield made a late change – Ben Blackmore coming in on the wing.
Saints opening defensive set was strong as they flew off the line to get into the Giants’ attack.
That pattern continued for the opening stages before Jon Wilkin broke through the line and found Gary Wheeler on his left.
The move closed down but as the ball was recycled on the last Wheeler popped up after a superb pass.
On the 10th minute it got better. Roby found a gap in midfield and had Lance Hohaia on his shoulder to polish off a great break.
Saints looked like a different side from last Sunday and another try underlined their dominance.
Luke Walsh side-stepping through to feed Paul Wellens.
The flow of points was tempered somewhat as Larne Patrick crossed after the Giants won repeat sets, but Saints were on top.
The home side defended three more sets before they scored again.
A high ball from Danny Brough was collected by Matty Dawson who scampered 60 metres. James Roby took it up and on the next tackle it was sent back out to Dawson’s wing and he made no mistake.
A bullocking run from Roby ensued as Saints threatened more points – Huddersfield’s defence strong – before Hohaia dummied his way to the line.
The try was chalked off for obstruction though.
In the second half, Saints continued their defensive toughness and forced a knock on out of the Giants within the first two minutes.
And from that error they scored. Gary Wheeler and Mose Masoe set up the field position and when Luke Walsh kicked on the last Jon Wilkin came from absolutely nowhere to collect.
Walsh converted the try he set up but the Giants profited from a short and high kick off – Blackmore over in the corner after a wonderful collect in the middle.
Saints weren’t too downbeat though and after three repeat sets, in the 53rd minute, Mose Masoe plunged over after Roby’s line ball.
Huddersfield fought back and after forcing an error from Roby, Brough’s cute chip saw Brett Ferres going over.
Repeat sets should have brought more points for the home side as the game entered the final quarter and then good line speed consistently forced errors from their opponents.
And such an error, this time from a scrum, saw the Giants spill the ball, it hacked on and Gary Wheeler score his second of the night.
Given as a penalty try by the ref.
Ben Blackmore kept the Giants in touch – but Saints thought they had another when Luke Walsh scooped up a loose ball and went 70 metres.
But that one was disallowed because of Tommy Makinson’s high tackle.
Saints weren’t to be outdone though and Walsh capped a great night with a drop goal.
As it happened: Match Centre.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Wheeler (2), Hohaia, Wellens, Dawson, Wilkin, Masoe
Goals: Walsh (6 from 7)
Drop: Walsh
Giants:
Tries: Patrick, Blackmore (2), Ferres
Goals: Brough (3 from 4)
Penalties:
Saints: 6
Giants: 6
HT: 22-6
FT: 41-22
REF: Richard Silverwood
ATT: 10,218
Teams:
Saints:
17. Paul Wellens; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Jordan Turner, 24. Gary Wheeler, 26. Matty Dawson; 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Luke Walsh; 8. Mose Masoe, 9. James Roby, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 12. Jon Wilkin, 15. Mark Flanagan, 11. Sia Soliola.
Subs: 23. Joe Greenwood, 25. Anthony Walker, 27. Greg Richards, 28. Luke Thompson.
Giants:
1. Scott Grix; 26. Ben Blackmore, 3. Leroy Cudjoe, 4. Joe Wardle, 5. Aaron Murphy; 6. Danny Brough, 7. Luke Robinson; 8. Eorl Crabtree, 9. Shaun Lunt, 10. Craig Kopczak, 11. Brett Ferres, 12. Jason Chan, 15. Larne Patrick.
Subs: 16. David Faiumu, 17. Ukuma Ta’ai, 18. Kyle Wood, 21. Anthony Mullally.
