JAMES Roby masterminded an outstanding Saints performance as they hammered Castleford 41-0.
He was at his imperious best to score a brace and create several more to leave Nathan Brown’s men just 80 minutes from Old Trafford.
Jordan Turner was magnificent in the centre of the park too and the defence tenacious whenever their line was threatened.
It was an attitude that saw Saints lead 13-0 at the end of the first half.
And in the second they simply turned the screw and ran in five more tries to underline their total dominance.
Turner, Adam Swift and Tommy Makinson – on his 100th appearance for the club – all crossing before Kyle Amor and Mose Masoe bulldozed over.
Most talk during the week centred around if the League Leaders could prove their Old Trafford credentials.
They readjusted their line-up to move Mark Flanagan to scrum half and Gary Wheeler to centre.
Josh Jones missed out; Alex Walmsley was suspended and that allowed Greg Richards and Luke Thompson to return.
Saints were presented with the League Leaders Shield before kick off and made a solid start backed by a vociferous crowd.
Both sides kicked well and playing out their sets – Saints just edging the territorial possession early doors.
15 minutes in a mistake allowed Willie Manu to open up the defence but the home side just couldn’t make it pay.
Saints continued to come though and a set right on Castleford’s line after a great Hohaia kick gave them a real opportunity.
And they didn’t disappoint, Roby scampering from close in to get Brown’s men on their way.
Percival with the extras.
Backed the superb kicking of Mark Flanagan and Jordan Turner Saints continued to push home their advantage and it was no surprise when James Roby opened up Castleford once more.
Omitted from the Dream Team this week, he sidestepped twice to twist and turn his way to the try-line.
Saints should have been further ahead on the half hour mark as Mark Percival – after a superb break – put Tommy Makinson over in the corner.
But he was called back for a forward pass that simply never was.
Castleford forced Saints to drop out on 37 minutes but two minutes later Jordan Turner emphasised Saints’ dominance with a drop goal right off the training ground.
Lance Hohaia went close early in the second half and on their next attack they went further ahead…. and it was typical Saints.
They kept the ball alive in the middle of the park and Roby combined with Soliola to catch Turner on a great line for his ninth of the season.
Roby almost got his third on around 55 minutes and then Adam Swift picked off a loose ball and went fully 70 metres to increase Castleford’s woe.
Michael Shenton was sinbinned on 65 minutes for impeding Paul Wellens on his way for a certain try and with space on the right Makinson crossed for his 28th of the year.
Kyle Amor showed massive strength to get Saints’ sixth of the night with around 10 minutes to go and Mose Masoe produced a carbon copy five minutes later to leave the fans in raptures.
Saints will choose their opponents in next Friday’s ClubCall.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Roby (2), Turner, Swift, Makinson, Amor, Masoe
Goals: Percival (6 from 7)
Drop: Turner
Tigers:
Tries:
Goals:
Penalties:
Saints: 7
Tigers: 5
HT: 13-0
FT: 41-0
REF: James Child
ATT: TBC
Teams:
Saints:
17. Paul Wellens; 2. Tommy Makinson, 22. Mark Percival, 24. Gary Wheeler, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Lance Hohaia, 15. Mark Flanagan; 27. Greg Richards, 9. James Roby, 16. Kyle Amor, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 28. Luke Thompson. 3. Jordan Turner,
Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 11. Sia Soliola, 13. Willie Manu, 14. Anthony Laffranchi.
Tigers:
6. Luke Dorn; 2. Kirk Dixon, 4. Jake Webster, 3. Michael Shenton, 5. Justin Carney; 20. Jamie Ellis, 26. Liam Finn; 8. Andy Lynch, 9. Adam Milner, 10. Craig Huby, 16. Oliver Holmes, 12. Weller Hauraki, 11. Grant Millington.
Subs: 13. Nathan Massey, 14. Daryl Clark, 19. Scott Wheeldon, 23. Michael Channing.
