MARK Percival held his nerve as Saints beat Widnes 12-10.
The centre kicked the crucial penalty in the final stages following a tight and tense derby at Langtree Park.
Jordan Turner and Matty Fleming scored the tries in the first half before the host’s defence took over to give Saints their third win in a row.
The platform for the close win was set in the first half – Saints getting off to a solid start after they took full advantage of a strong Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook run.
He won a penalty and following a repeat set Jordan Turner showed great power to get his side on the board.
On 12 minutes solid defence stopped a certain Rhys Hanbury try; Percival and Jon Wilkin combining to stop the full back in full flight.
And Jack Owens was held up over the line as the game entered the quarter way mark.
Saints had had their chances, and looked the better side, but it was Widnes who scored next – Kevin Brown making a break down field that Corey Thompson converted.
Rhys Hanbury tagging on the extras.
The Vikings had their tails up and another break down the middle from Brown could have brought points. Saints dealt with it – and Shannon McDonnell then had to cope with a kick over the top with Patrick Ah Van lurking.
On the half hour mark, Saints dropped the ball with the line begging – but on their next foray into the Widnes half they made it count.
A clever kick won a drop out and then McDonnell produced a sublime pass inside for Matty Fleming to cross for his second in two games.
Saints were good for their 10-6 lead at half time and early in the second half Percival almost fashioned a try out of nothing following a loose pass – but Widnes did enough to keep him out.
Saints then defended three sets on their own line that came on the back of three penalties.
In fact, that was the theme of the match with 17 being handed out by the 55th minute.
But two minutes later Widnes made the breakthrough.
Offloads in the middle of the field caused Saints problems and a long ball went out left for Ah Van to put down under pressure.
Hanbury crucially missing the extras.
At 10 a piece the game was in the balance and both sides began to play within themselves and grind out their sets.
But when Lomax was felled high with around seven minutes to go it allowed Percival to give the home side some breathing space.
And he made no mistake.
The drama didn’t end there as Walmsley dropped the ball with 45 seconds remaining when Saints had been given a penalty.
Widnes threw all they had at the Saints, but they held firm for a vital win.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Turner, Fleming
Goals: Percival (2 from 3)
Vikings:
Tries: Thompson, Ah Van
Goals: Hanbury (1 from 2)
Penalties:
Saints: 11
Vikings: 9
HT: 10-6
FT: 12-10
REF: G Hewer
ATT: 11,566
Teams:
Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax; 23. Shannon McDonnell, 24. Matty Fleming, 4. Mark Percival, 22. Jack Owens; 3. Jordan Turner, 12. Jon Wilkin; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 15. Greg Richards, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 20. Joe Greenwood, 17. Luke Thompson.
Subs: 10. Kyle Amor, 11. Atelea Vea, 27. Jack Ashworth, 28. Morgan Knowles.
Vikings:
1. Rhys Hanbury; 2. Corey Thompson, 4. Charly Runciman, 17. Stefan Marsh, 5. Patrick Ah Van; 7. Joe Mellor, 6. Kevin Brown; 13. Hep Cahill, 9. Lloyd White, 36. Jack Buchanan, 11. Chris Houston, 14. Chris Dean, 19. Macgraff Leuluai.
Subs: 10. Manase Manuokafoa, 18. Gil Dudson, 22. Matt Whitley, 37. Greg Burke.
