SAINTS remain top of the Super League table following a 46-22 win over Bradford.
They ran in seven tries in a blistering 50 minute spell to lead 40-0 before the Bulls replied with three in five – and another in the final stages.
Paul Wellens then polished off a good captain’s knock with a four-pointer right at the death.
Bradford’s salvo may have taken the gloss off the overall performance, but Saints ensured they back sufficently from last Sunday’s loss.
The first half saw Nathan Brown’s men punish Bradford’s failure to complete their sets.
James Roby, Paul Wellens and Mose Masoe gave them a healthy advantage before more expansive stuff found Mark Percival and Adam Swift tallying four-pointers.
Further tries from Lance Hohaia and Tommy Makinson brought the 40-up before Bradford quelled Saints buoyancy – but not their victory.
Saints welcomed back Kyle Amor from injury and shuffled their pack as a result. Greg Richards was rested whilst Luke Thompson replaced Willie Manu in the starting line-up.
There was also a welcome return for Anthony Laffranchi on the bench.
Bradford were narrowly edged at home to Catalan last week – and that result saw a settled side come to Langtree Park, with Jamie Foster and Lee Gaskell the former Saints boys in the line-up.
Adam Swift almost scored from Mark Percival’s kick in the third minute before Jon Wilkin’s cute chip had the Bulls on their heels.
Saints were completing their sets and that dominance in the opening 10 minutes turned into points as Mark Flanagan found James Roby in support for the easiest of tries.
Percival converting.
Saints defended a set and then forced a drop out from Wilkin’s slide rule kick.
Nothing came from it but you always felt a second try was due and it did on 15 minutes.
Swift took a clearing kick on the full and fed Paul Wellens who scampered in from 60 yards.
Percival with his second.
Both sides then traded knock ons before Mose Masoe took a drop off pass from Wilkin and took three with him over the line.
Percival converted and then tallied a great try of his own as the half counted down.
Laffranchi took it on, fed Wilkin and then Wellens who cooly put his centre through the gap.
And the youngster banged over the conversion from the touchline too.
Saints weren’t done either and as the hooter went they snaffled up a loose pass and Wilkin, Laffranchi and Percival combined to slip Swift in.
That gave Saints a 28-0 half time lead and it was soon 32-0 as Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook took a pass in his own half, scampered through the middle and superbly offloaded to Lance Hohaia.
Tommy Makinson capped a great move on 50 minutes only for Luke Gale to get his side on the board eight minutes later.
Joe Arundel then took advantage of Adam Swift’s mistake from a high ball before Adam Purtell polished off a great move.
It was three in five minutes for the visitors and they peppered the Saints line even further in the final stages.
Foster then tagged one against his former employers to cap a great second half for the visitors.
Saints weren’t to be outdone though and a great move from Wellens finished off a sold night.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Roby, Wellens (2), Masoe, Percival, Swift, Hohaia, Makinson
Goals: Percival (7 from 8)
Bulls:
Tries: Gale, Arundel, Purtell, Foster
Goals: Foster (3 from 3)
Penalties:
Saints: 6
Bulls: 7
HT: 28-0
FT: 46-22
REF: Robert Hicks
ATT: 10,238
Teams:
Saints:
17. Paul Wellens; 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Jordan Turner, 22. Mark Percival, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Lance Hohaia, 12. Jon Wilkin; 16. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 18. Alex Walmsley, 15. Mark Flanagan, 11. Sia Soliola, 28. Luke Thompson.
Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 13. Willie Manu, 14. Anthony Laffranchi.
Bulls:
1. Brett Kearney; 38. Danny Williams, 21. Adam Henry, 3. Adrian Purtell, 5. Jamie Foster; 17. Lee Gaskell, 7. Luke Gale; 14. Manase Manuokafoa, 19. Adam O’Brien, 15. Adam Sidlow, 11. Tom Olbison, 33. Jay Pitts, 18. James Donaldson.
Subs: 4. Matty Blythe, 16. Danny Addy, 30. Jamal Fakir. 34. Joe Arundel.
