SAINTS are off to the Grand Final with a five-try victory over Catalan Dragons at Langtree Park.
Led superbly by a strong pack and solid defence, they won 30-12 to set up a title date with either Wigan or Warrington.
Tries from Jordan Turner and Adam Swift gave Saints a 12-6 half time lead before Willie Manu’s second half effort effectively took the game from Catalan.
Mose Masoe then powered over and Mark Percival sealed a great victory.
Nathan Brown recalled Josh Jones for the Semi-Final clash with Alex Walmsley returning from suspension on the bench.
It was a tentative opening from both sides; Jordan Turner kicking dead and Catalan firing a high ball that was collected by Paul Wellens.
Sam Williams then made a break but Saints were up to his last tackle option.
Mark Percival missed the chance to put Saints ahead when the Dragons were penalised for offside; the youngster dragging his kick wide.
Saints forced a drop out in the tenth minute but had to weather another period of pressure from the visitors.
And on 20 minutes that pressure told albeit courtesy of the video referee and a very forward pass.
Morgan Escare didn’t mind though, collecting the offload and putting his side ahead to boos from the home support.
Thomas Bosc adding the extras.
Saints hit back almost immediately.
Massive runs from Luke Thompson and Willie Manu set up the field position and Jordan Turner showed immense strength to pull his side back into it.
Percival with the conversion.
Josh Jones took Sam Williams’ high ball on 33 minutes before Catalan tried to twist the screw once again.
But when the visitors were penalised for very physical play in the tackle, Saints made them pay.
Turner switched play on the left hand side and Adam Swift swooped down the touchline to score a quite wonderful try.
Percival adding the extras from the touchline to give Saints a 12-6 lead at half time.
Saints probed early in the second half and turned Catalan on their heels with a number of good kicks.
And on their next attack they scored.
Josh Jones drove it in before it went right, from Wellens and Percival to Makinson who flew down the right to turn it back inside for Willie Manu.
Mark Percival making it a 12-point game before he duly tagged on a penalty in the 55th minute too.
Saints were rampant and it was no surprise when Mose Masoe rampaged to the line, swatting players off in the process.
Mark Percival danced through the defence after the hour mark only for Michael Oldfield to score moments later.
Saints had, in all honesty, had taken the sting out of the game by then and played out their sets to head into a mouthwatering Old Trafford showdown.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Turner, Swift, Manu, Masoe, Percival
Goals: Percival (5 from 7)
Dragons:
Tries: Escare, Oldfield
Goals: Bosc (2 from 2)
Penalties:
Saints: 7
Dragons: 6
HT: 12-6
FT: 30-12
REF: Richard Silverwood
ATT: 8888
Teams:
Saints:
17. Paul Wellens; 2. Tommy Makinson, 22. Mark Percival, 4. Josh Jones, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Lance Hohaia, 15. Mark Flanagan; 8. Mose Masoe, 9. James Roby, 16. Kyle Amor, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 28. Luke Thompson, 3. Jordan Turner.
Subs: 11. Sia Soliola, 13. Willie Manu, 18. Alex Walmsley, 27. Greg Richards.
Dragons:
2. Morgan Escaré; 5. Michael Oldfield, 4. Ben Pomeroy, 25. Vincent Duport, 18. Daryl Millard; 6. Thomas Bosc, 34. Sam Williams; 8. Olivier Elima, 9. Ian Henderson, 12. Louis Anderson, 11. Zeb Taia, 17. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Greg Mounis.
Subs: 10. Jeff Lima, 16. Eloi Pelissier, 21. Julian Bousquet, 29. Benjamin Garcia.
