TOMMY Makinson bagged a hat-trick as Saints hammered Widnes 44-22 to stay stop of the Super League table.
But they were left reeling by a serious injury to Luke Walsh that saw the Australian stretchered from the field.
Until his unhappy exit in the second half, Walsh had led Saints to a 32-10 advantage over the Challenge Cup Semi Finalists and were good value for their 17th win of the season.
Mose Masoe had bagged a brace in the first half with two bullocking runs whilst Mark Flanagan scored the other and and laid one on a plate for Tommy Makinson.
Widnes were all at sea and couldn’t handle the power and pace of Saints’ forward line – and that was emphasised with two more tries in the second half.
But the Vikings fought back and had Saints on the rack before Makinson scored his third and Willie Manu made it safe.
Saints lost Jon Wilkin in the week forcing Nathan Brown to reshuffle his pack.
Matty Dawson came in for Adam Swift on the wing whilst Willie Manu was promoted from the bench.
It gave the home side a strong looking middle unit and they didn’t disappoint.
They broke the deadlock after a scrappy opening five minutes – and it was thanks to the returning Walsh.
A big run from Alex Walmsley and chip over the top from Walsh brought a repeat set and then a superb pass from the Aussie scrum half saw Mark Flanagan go over.
Percival with the extras.
Saints almost increased the lead on 14 minutes but Manu’s try was called back for a forward pass.
And Mark Percival should have scored when Walsh laid on the perfect pass; the ball going to ground.
The home side didn’t hang around long though and just before the 20 minute mark it was 10-0.
Flanagan chipped along the ground to the corner and Tommy Makinson put down with space at a real premium.
The winger taking the ball one-handed in mid-air to score yet another one of his specials.
Widnes continued to repel Saints’ attacks but another try was always coming.
And when they forced their third drop out of the first half it did.
Simple it was too as James Roby dropped the ball off to Mose Masoe for his fifth of the campaign.
Percival tagging on his second conversion to make it 16-0.
It was clear the big fella smelt blood as his second of the evening came from 25 yards out just three minutes later.
He took a pass at full tilt and there was no stopping him.
And it got worse for Widnes, if maybe not on the scoreboard, as Macgraff Leuluai was binned on 38 minutes for interference after Ben Thaler warned his side.
Saints turned the screw with two more tries in the first four minutes of the second half.
Firstly, Jordan Turner got an impossible ball out on the right hand side under pressure for Tommy Makinson to scorch in.
Then, Makinson returned the favour for Saints sixth try – only for Cameron Phelps to get Widnes on the board and then finish off a wonderful move from 80 yards out for his second.
Luke Walsh landed awkwardly in a tackle leading up to that try and as Tickle lined up for his conversion attempt he was stretchered off.
Saints were visibly reeling too as on Widnes’ next attack Stefan Marsh glided in from 80 yards.
Nathan Brown’s side needed to show resolve and they did – farming the ball out after a great runs from Percival and Matty Dawson to put Makinson in for his hat-trick.
And the ship was steadied further when Josh Jones’ last tackle kick caused Widnes problems.
It forced the Vikings onto their own line and then Willie Manu appeared to strip the ball one on one and plunge over.
Rhys Hanbury adding a consolation late on to take the gloss slightly off a good home performance.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Flanagan, Makinson (3), Masoe (2), Turner, Manu
Goals: Percival (6 from 8)
Vikings:
Tries: Phelps (2), Marsh, Hanbury
Goals: Tickle (3 from 4)
Penalties:
Saints: 9
Vikings: 4
HT: 22-0
FT: 44-22
REF: Ben Thaler
ATT: 11,844
Teams:
Saints:
17. Paul Wellens; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Jordan Turner, 22. Mark Percival, 26. Matty Dawson; 24. Gary Wheeler, 7. Luke Walsh; 16. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 18. Alex Walmsley, 13. Willie Manu, 11. Sia Soliola, 15. Mark Flanagan.
Subs: 4, Josh Jones, 8. Mose Masoe, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Anthony Laffranchi.
Vikings:
1. Rhys Hanbury; 5. Patrick Ah Van, 3. Cameron Phelps, 4. Stefan Marsh, 20. Paddy Flynn; 6. Kevin Brown, 7. Joe Mellor; 13. Hep Cahill, 9. Jon Clarke, 25. Alex Gerrard, 17. Danny Galea, 11. Dave Allen, 12. Danny Tickle.
Subs: 14. Chris Dean, 16. Willie Isa, 22. Liam Carberry, 24. Macgraff Leuluai.
