SAINTS returned to the top of the First Utility Super League with a 11-try win over London Broncos at The Hive.
Mark Percival, Jordan Turner and Matty Dawson all grabbed braces in the victory which sees Nathan Brown’s men leapfrog Leeds and Wigan at the summit.
Saints ran in five tries to lead 28-6 at the break and were good value for it.
As they’ve done all season London never gave up and fought back in the second half and scored two well-worked tries.
But the visitors crossed five times in the final stages to round off a solid performance in blistering heat.
Missing Tommy Makinson and Willie Manu for family reasons, Saints opted to bring Matty Dawson and Josh Jones into the starting line up.
The Broncos made a number of changes through injury and suspension but there was a familiar face in Scott Moore.
London forced an error from Saints straight from the kick off – but couldn’t find a way through – and then had another promising set.
But two kicks from Jon Wilkin had the Broncos on their heels and the latter forced a drop out.
From there, a strong run by Alex Walmsley allowed a probing Lance Hohaia to offload and Mark Percival duly went over for his eighth of the season.
On 11 minutes the lead was doubled as Kyle Amor plunged over from close in – Percival goaling.
Saints continued to come and a great 40:20 from Jon Wilkin almost brought more points; a forward pass denying a try.
But seconds later, that didn’t matter as Alex Walmsley broke through, took on his man and offloaded to James Roby who then found Jordan Turner in acres of space.
James Woodburn-Hall charged down Wilkin’s kick on 20 minutes to get the Broncos underway but moments later Turner was in for his second.
Saints’ fifth try came on the half hour mark and it was harsh on the home side.
Hohaia made a delightful break down the right and had Paul Wellens on his left hand side.
The stand off’s pass hit the floor, and went a little forward too, but Paul Wellens gleefully collected for his 11th of the season.
Oscar Thomas almost scored for London in the final stages but Saints headed into the sheds 28-6 to the good.
London had all the pressure early in the second half but Saints dowsed that fire on 48 minutes as a fast move saw Wellens feed Mark Percival for his second.
Will Lovell replied three minutes later – ironically as Saints looked more likely to score – and then a great cover tackle in the corner stopped them going over again.
London did score next though – on the hour mark – and it was a high kick to the corner that was collected by Denny Solomona.
Matty Dawson polished off a move that began in his own half to stem the flow of Broncos’ points with 15 remaining and then Luke Thompson brought up the 40.
Alex Walmsley then sent Sia Soliola 80 yards straight from the Broncos’ restart for the pick of the afternoon’s tries.
Four-pointers from Anthony Laffranchi and Matty Dawson rounded off a good afternoon’s work.
Match Summary:
Broncos:
Tries: Woodburn-Hall, Lovell, Solomona,
Goals: Drinkwater (2 from 3)
Saints:
Tries: Percival (2), Amor, Turner (2), Wellens, Dawson (2), Thompson, Soliola, Laffranchi
Goals: Percival (7 from 11)
Penalties:
Broncos: 3
Saints: 7
HT: 28-6
FT: 58-16
REF: Tim Roby
ATT: 1791
Teams:
Broncos:
34. Oscar Thomas; 4. Thomas Minns, 6. Ben Farrar, 22. James Woodburn-Hall, 23. Denny Solomona; 33. Joe Keyes, 7. Josh Drinkwater; 16. Nick Slyney, 9. Scott Moore, 10. Olsi Krasniqi, 11. Michael McMeeken, 13. Alex Foster, 12. Matt Cook.
Subs: 17. Will Lovell, 18. George Griffin, 21. Joel Wicks, 30. Jon Wallace.
Saints:
17. Paul Wellens; 26. Matty Dawson, 3. Jordan Turner, 22. Mark Percival, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Lance Hohaia, 12. Jon Wilkin; 16. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 18. Alex Walmsley, 11. Sia Soliola, 15. Mark Flanagan, 4. Josh Jones.
Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 28. Luke Thompson.
