JOE Greenwood grabbed a brace as Saints secured a hard fought 30-20 win at Castleford Tigers.
The second rower took his season’s tally to nine as Keiron Cunningham’s men pulled within two points of the top four.
Defensively they were strong when it mattered too, limiting a lively looking Tigers to just two tries in the second half.
Greenwood was a threat throughout as was Mark Percival who looked very competent and comfortable in his second game back from injury.
That duo looked the most likely to be Saints’ avenue for points from the offset – and so it proved.
Cas scored first after the visitors knocked the ball on in their own 40 through Joel Monaghan but Saints hit back on 18 minutes.
Greenwood mopped up Luke Walsh’s high ball after James Roby had scampered 70 metres.
Jonny Lomax and Percival pulled off a try saving tackle on Matt Cook 25 minutes in and then clever defence forced a drop out.
But within a minute, another kick to the right hand side saw Cas take the lead.
Denny Solomona this time out-jumped the defence to grab hold of Gale’s kick.
Saints had chances as the half closed out but found their hosts mean in defence.
‘Complete your sets’ would likely have been the rallying call in the Saints’ shed at half time – and they did just that.
With the half backs on the ball more they put Cas under pressure and turned them on their heels.
Shannon McDonnell was denied by a Tigers’ fingertip from Dominique Peyroux’s pass on 42 minutes before Saints repeated the move on their next set with success.
McDonnell scoring his second of the season.
Walsh nailed the conversion from the touchline but agonisingly, within a minute, the lead was back with the home side.
Saints somehow lost the ball following the restart and Mike McMeeken was caught on a lovely angle.
Jy Hitchcox then beat the Saints defence for pace after an innocuous looking kick through near the line on the last.
Saints had to hold their nerve and weather the pressure once more.
And like last time they responded; Kyle Amor latching on to Jon Wilkin’s powerful run following Saints best attack of the second half.
Joe Greenwood then bagged his second after the home side made a hash of another high ball from Walsh.
The second rower staying ever alert for the loose ball – and getting his ninth of the season to boot.
Then came the defence. Saints made three goal-line stands – including a wonder tackle from Luke Walsh – before putting the game to bed.
And what a try it was too.
Walsh combined with Theo Fages to turn it inside for Jonny Lomax who ghosted over the line.
It was a breathtaking and relieving move… and the delight on the away fans and players said it all.
Match Summary:
Tigers:
Tries: Monaghan, Solomona, McMeeken, Hitchcox
Goals: Gale (2 from 4)
Saints:
Tries: Greenwood (2), McDonnell, Amor, Lomax
Goals: Walsh (5 from 5)
Penalties:
Tigers: 7
Saints: 6
HT: 6-10
FT: 30-20
REF: G Hewer
ATT: 6658
Teams:
Tigers:
5. Denny Solomona; 2. Joel Monaghan, 19. Ben Crooks, 16. Matt Cook, 25. Jy Hitchcox; 18. Ryan Hampshire, 7. Luke Gale; 8. Andy Lynch, 9. Adam Milner, 14. Lee Jewitt, 10. Grant Millington, 12. Mike McMeeken, 13. Nathan Massey.
Subs: 15. Paul McShane, 16. Matt Cook, 22. Gadwin Springer, 23. Will Maher, 31. Conor Fitzsimmons.
Saints:
23. Shannon McDonnell; 1. Jonny Lomax, 18. Dominque Peyroux, 4. Mark Percival, 22. Jack Owens; 19. Theo Fages, 7. Luke Walsh; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 10. Kyle Amor, 11. Atelea Vea, 20. Joe Greenwood, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Lama Tasi, 15. Greg Richards, 28. Morgan Knowles.
