SAINTS eased to the top of the First Utility Super League table – for 48 hours at least – courtesy of a 52-12 win over Hull KR.
Atelea Vea capped his return with a great try, Adam Quinlan grabbed his fourth in three games and Joe Greenwood and Adam Swift each crossed for braces to complete a comprehensive performance.
Luke Walsh and Travis Burns were at the hub too as the Champions rolled into next week’s Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Semi Final with their ninth win in eleven games.
Many people wondered how intense the clash would be with big games coming up for both sides.
And it was tentative at first until Cunningham’s men took a hold of proceedings.
Walsh, who led the team out in the absence of James Roby and Jon Wilkin, repeatedly turned KR on their heels with ‘early in the count’ kicks – and that ensured the champion’s defence was on top.
Eight minutes in Andre Savelio – starting at prop – and Joe Greenwood were held up over the line in quick succession and then Burns’ neat kick forced a drop out.
Saints couldn’t profit and were unlucky moments later when Burns’ chip through hit the post and landed safely into the hands of the defence.
The pressure was building though and on their next set it was try time.
Hull KR made a mess of Walsh’s high bomb, Burns’ swept up the loose ball and cooly found the supporting Joe Greenwood for his seventh of the season.
Walsh goaled and on the next set Saints scored again.
Mose Masoe put in a huge run; Quinlan broke from dummy half and found Josh Jones.
The younger then drew the full back and put Burns over against his former club.
Saints were rampant and on 21 minutes Matty Dawson crossed in the corner thanks to a superb pass from Walsh.
Atelea Vea then capped his return with a bullucking run following Burns’ huge 40:20 – which was more a 40:10!
Walsh made it four from four with the boot before Hull KR hit back with a double.
Kieran Dixon scored a ‘scrambler’ and then John Boudebza polished off a move that went 70 yards.
Both sides had chances early in the second half – with Saints in particular unlucky not to take a couple.
But they did – and it came with Hull attacking.
The ball came right but Quinlan intercepted and raced 70 yards for his fourth in the Red Vee.
Mark Flanagan added his second of the season after some super handling kept the set alive – including a neat offload from Jones.
And then Joe Greenwood ran another one of his great lines to grab his second of the night.
Saints weren’t done either and as last knockings approached Adam Swift went for the corner, backed himself and put down under pressure.
Then, as the hooter went, he saved the best until last.
A quick pass deep inside Saints’ half caught Hull KR at sixes and sevens and the winger went the full length.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Greenwood (2), Burns, Dawson, Vea, Quinlan, Flanagan, Swift (2)
Goals: Walsh (8 from 10)
Hull KR:
Tries: Dixon, Boudebza
Goals: Mantellato (2 from 2)
Penalties:
Saints: 5
Hull KR: 3
HT: 26-12
FT: 52-12
REF: Rob Hicks
ATT: 10,781
Teams:
Saints:
37. Adam Quinlan; 22. Matty Dawson, 17. Mark Percival, 3. Jordan Turner, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Travis Burns, 7. Luke Walsh; 10. Kyle Amor, 26. Lewis Charnock, 25. Andre Savelio, 21. Joe Greenwood, 4. Josh Jones, 18. Luke Thompson.
Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 11. Atelea Vea, 14. Alex Walmsley, 15. Mark Flanagan.
Hull KR:
1. Kieran Dixon; 2. Ben Cockayne, 18. Liam Salter, 19. Kris Welham, 4. Josh Mantellato; 6. Maurice Blair, 35. Dane Chisholm; 8. Adam Walker, 31. Shaun Lunt, 34. Tony Puletua, 12. Graeme Horne, 13. Tyrone McCarthy, 17. Greg Burke.
Subs: 15. James Donaldson, 20. James Green, 24. John Boudebza, 32. Dane Tilse.
