SAINTS fired home nine tries as they cruised to a 44-4 win over Wakefield on Friday.
Luke Walsh was at his imperious best as he scored two and had a hand in everything his side did well.
The scrum half put on his most assured display to date on his return from injury – and combined with his half back partner Travis Burns – pulled Saints to within three points of Leeds.
After a fairly inauspicious start from the home side it took a moment of magic – and there were many during the game – from Walsh to break the deadlock.
On the last, he showed and goed, then displayed dazzling feet and a wicked sidestep to go under the posts.
Saints continued to pile on the pressure and it was no surprise when Dougie Charnock capped his first appearance for more than 18-months with a dart from dummy half.
Louie McCarthy-Scarbrook then offloaded to Charnock for his second – after fantastic work from Shannon McDonnell.
Wakefield forced a couple of drop outs from Saints but a wayward pass was intercepted on 30 minutes – and converted into points.
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook galloped down the field and found Adam Swift who was hauled down close to the line.
Saints had numbers though and Mark Percival created the space for Tommy Makinson to go over.
Wakefield hit back through Tom Johnstone just before half time as the home side got caught out on an edge.
Trinity almost scored in the first minute of the second but Reece Lyne dropped the ball after a great kick from Tim Smith.
And Saints reminded them that they needed to take their chances immediately.
Walsh did the damage again, feeding McDonnell who found Jordan Turner in great space for his 11th of the season.
And within another minute Saints were even further ahead – Walsh’s pass cutting out two men for Adam Swift to score.
Jones and McDonnell involved in the build up.
Mose Masoe made it 32-4 after 50 minutes will a galloping run and then Makinson and Swift combined for Walsh to underline a brilliant display with a 40 metre effort.
The final stages got a little scratchy but Saints made one last telling contribution.
And it was a beauty.
Burns and Wilkin were both involved in their own half, offloading with some sublime skills, before Kyle Amor fired out a great ball for Percy to feed Makinson… who then produced another one of his fantastic finishes.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Walsh (2), Charnock (2), Makinson (2), Turner, Swift, Masoe,
Goals: Burns (4 from 9)
Wildcats:
Tries: Johnstone,
Goals: Miller (0 from 1)
Penalties:
Saints: 6
Wildcats: 5
HT: 20-4
FT: 44-4
REF: C Leatherbarrow
ATT: 10,001
Teams:
Saints:
34. Shannon McDonnell; 2. Tommy Makinson, 17. Mark Percival, 3. Jordan Turner, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Travis Burns, 7. Luke Walsh; 10. Kyle Amor, 26. Lewis Charnock, 8. Mose Masoe, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 12. Jon Wilkin, 25. Andre Savelio.
Subs: 4. Josh Jones, 14. Alex Walmsley, 15. Mark Flanagan, 19. Greg Richards.
Wildcats:
2. Chris Riley; 24. Tom Johnstone, 28. Joe Arundel, 15. Matt Ryan, 4. Reece Lyne; 14. Pita Godinet, 7. Tim Smith; 8. Nick Scruton, 9. Paul McShane, 31. Ben Kavanagh, 19. Jon Molloy, 13. Danny Washbrook, 6. Jacob Miller.
Subs: 11. Ali Lauitiiti, 16. Mickael Simon, 18. Daniel Smith, 22. Jordan Crowther.
