SAINTS’ seven game winning run came to an end with a 25-0 defeat at Wigan.
An error strewn performance handed the impetus to a Warriors side who were just as mistake ridden with the ball – but more clinical near the line.
Anthony Gelling crossed for a hat-trick whilst George Williams put down at the end of the game to hand the hosts the spoils.
But if Saints had took their chances then it could have been a different outcome.
Gelling scored his first after just a couple of minutes.
Saints lost the ball on their opening set and the centre got on the outside of the defence to put the ball down in the corner.
There was a question of whether he went into touch, but the video ref correctly ruled him safe.
Missing Luke Walsh, Mark Percival and Luke Thompson, Saints had been disrupted in the build up and that did seem to effect their usual fluent attack.
They repeatedly forced errors from the Warriors and a number of drop outs but couldn’t punch it in.
Morgan Knowles was stopped right on the try line in the 13th minute and then Adam Swift was bundled into touch following Jordan Turner’s looping pass.
That was the tale of the first half – Saints getting into great positions but failing to find that killer touch.
And on only their second opportunity Wigan made them pay.
Dan Sarginson was firstly pulled for a forward pass with his winger’s path to the line clear – but on his side’s next set Gelling ghosted through for his second.
Saints had chances before half time following a number of repeat sets – but couldn’t take advantage – and that was the case in the second half too.
James Roby was held up over the line on 50 minutes and then Fages’ pass to Swift was just a little too high.
Matty Fleming produced a good run on 55 minutes but Matty Smith took it out to a three score game with a drop goal.
Saints continued to knock at the Warriors door and got another chance on the hour mark when they forced yet another knock on from their hosts.
A drop out followed but they couldn’t lock it in.
Saints won the ball back on 65 minutes but on the last, Turner’s pass was intercepted by Gelling who went 90 metres to complete his hat-trick.
Smith tagged on a penalty with 10 minutes to go before a series of knock ons and poor handling punctuated the play in the latter stages.
But a nice offload from Jon Bateman sent George Williams away complete Saints miserable evening.
Match Summary:
Warriors:
Tries: Gelling (3), Williams
Goals: Smith (4 from 5)
Drop: Smith
Saints:
Tries:
Goals:
Penalties:
Warriors: 6
Saints: 3
HT: 0-12
FT: 0-25
REF: Ben Thaler
ATT: 15,265
Teams:
Warriors:
1. Sam Tomkins; 2. Josh Charnley, 3. Anthony Gelling, 4. Dan Sarginson; 20. Oliver Gildart; 6. George Williams, 7. Matty Smith; 8. Dominic Crosby, 16. Sam Powell, 10. Ben Flower, 14. John Bateman, 12. Liam Farrell, 25. Willie Isa.
Subs: 19. Taulima Tautai, 21. Ryan Sutton, 24. Frank-Paul Nuuausala, 28. Jake Shorrocks.
Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax; 22. Jack Owens, 24. Matty Fleming, 18. Dominique Peyroux, 5. Adam Swift; 3. Jordan Turner, 19. Theo Fages; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 15. Greg Richards, 20. Joe Greenwood, 28. Morgan Knowles, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 10. Kyle Amor, 11. Atelea Vea, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Lama Tasi.
