Saints recorded a 64-6 win over Sheffield at Ruskin Sports Village on Saturday in their first run out of the new season.
James Bentley grabbed a hat-trick whilst Dom Peyroux, Regan Grace, Jake Spending, Adam Swift, Jake Spedding, John Hutchings, Josh Eaves, Chris Follin and Kyle Amor all crossed in a pleasing performance.
Up 24-0 at half time, a youthful Saints took to the field in the second half and, backed by some experienced players in the latter stages, ran up 40 more points.
Matty Fozard crossed against his former employers early in the half too, but the Eagles round Saints in a ruthless mindset.
Saints almost opened the scoring within the first three minutes when Regan Grace broke down the field to set Adam Swift away.
But two minutes later, Dominique Peyroux got on the end of Theo Fages’ chip to give his side the lead.
Danny Richardson added the extras and was unlucky not to put Grace over in the corner with a floated kick moments later.
Sheffield were holding their own but Saints undid their defensive work on 13 minutes when Grace crossed thanks to the work of the lively Matty Costello.
Kyle Amor’s offload then saw Jake Spedding race off for a fine solo try before James Bentley bagged the first of his three.
And what an effort it was too – Peyroux and Ryan Morgan combining to create space for Matty Smith to set Costello free in the centre of the pitch. The fullback then turned it over to Spedding who offloaded into the welcoming arms of the new signing from Bradford.
Justin Holbrook made a number of changes for the second half with Kevin Brown, Alex Eckley, Aaron Smith, Jorge Lewtas and Liam Cooper all featuring.
It took only four minutes for the new look side to click too as Swift crusied over in the corner.
Richardson locked in his fifth kick of the afternoon before former Saint Matty Fozard scored a good try to put the visitors on the board.
Bentley nabbed his second as he ran the perfect angle – and then completed his hat-trick as he backed up a break to the left of the posts.
Sheffield were giving it their all in the freezing conditions but their task wasn’t made any easier against the red-hot Saints when Daniel Igbinedion was sent off for a spear tackle on Amor.
And he mustn’t have been off the pitch more than a minute before John Hutchings scored with his first touch of the ball – much to the delight of his watching family and friends!
Josh Eaves polished off another fine move for Saints’ eighth – then Chris Follin and Amor completed the strong showing.
Match Summary:
Saints:
Tries: Peyroux, Grace, Spedding, Bentley (3), Swift, Hutchings, Eaves, Follin, Amor
Goals: Richardson (6 from 7), Fairclough (4 from 4)
Sheffield:
Tries: Fozzard
Goals: Thomas (1 from 1)
Penalties Awarded:
Saints: 3
Sheffield: 5
HT: 24-0
FT: 64-6
REF: J McMullen
Teams:
Saints:
30. Mathew Costello; 19. Regan Grace, 22. Jake Spedding, 3. Ryan Morgan, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Theo Fages, 18. Danny Richardson; 20. Matty Lees, 7. Matty Smith, 10. Kyle Amor, 24. James Bentley, 17. Dominique Peyroux, 21. Jack Ashworth.
Subs: 1. Kevin Brown, 2. Cameron Brown, 4. Chris Follin, 8. John Hutchings, 12. Jorge Lewtas, 13. Callum Hazzard, 14. Tom Nisbet, 16. Alex Eckley, 25. Aaron Smith, 26. Liam Cooper, 27. Ben Morris, 28. Josh Eaves, 29. Rob Fairclough.
Sheffield:
1. Ryan Millar; 2. Iliess Macani, 3. Daniel Igbinedion, 4. Josh Toole, 5. Ben Blackmore; 19. Oscar Thomas, 7Matty Fozard; 8. Jon Magrin, 9. Greg Burns, 10. Mark Offerdahl, 11. Oliver Davies, 12. Shaun Pick, 13. Matt James.
Subs: 14. Kieran Moran, 16. Jordan Tansey, 17. Max Garcia, 18. Blake Broadbent.
Match Action (Liam Platt)
