Saints continued their good start to the Betfred Super League season with a hard fought 26-12 win over Huddersfield.
Two second half tries sealed an important victory at a ground that hasn’t been a happy hunting ground of late.
Danny Richardson kicked five from five whilst Mark Percival crossed for his fourth of the season.
But this was a performance once again based on tenacious and scrambling defence.
After a timid opening Saints scored first thanks to the awareness of Jon Wilkin.
Luke Thompson produced a strong run and on the next play Kyle Amor offloaded with the second rower right on his shoulder.
Converted by Richardson.
The visitors then defended five sets in a row on their own line before Danny Brough took advantage of a Saints penalty to dummy his way past the defence.
He goaded too and then the Giants enjoyed a period of sustained pressure.
Jake Mamo almost got his hands to Jordan Rankin’s high bomb but Richardson steadied the ship with a penalty in the 28th minute.
Alex Walmsley was held up seven minutes later and then Danny Brough tagged on a penalty after a scrappy period of play to make it all square.
But from the restart the Giants knocked on and right on the stroke of half time James Roby burrowed over.
Richardson handing Saints the 14-8 half time nod.
Saints increased their lead early in the second through Zeb Taia.
On the last, Lomax moved across the defence and with would-be tacklers expecting a kick, caught him on running a fine line for his third of the year.
And it got better as on the very next set Percival out jumped Mamo to collect a Lomax’ high ball.
Oliver Roberts replied almost immediately to give the Giants a sniff but Saints had done the damage.
Ben Barba and Adam Swift produced characteristic runs to release the pressure before strong defence ensured there would be no comeback.
Match Summary:
Giants:
Tries: Brough, Roberts
Goals: Brough (2 from 3)
Saints:
Tries: Wilkin, Roby, Taia, Percival
Goals: Richardson (5 from 5)
Penalties Awarded:
Giants: 8
Saints: 10
HT: 8-14
FT: 12-26
REF: L Moore
ATT: 5,915
Teams:
Giants:
1. Jake Mamo; 2. Jermaine McGillvary, 6. Lee Gaskell, 4. Jordan Turner, 5. Aaron Murphy; 15. Jordan Rankin, 7. Danny Brough; 17. Ukuma Ta Ai, 21. Adam O’Brien, 18. Paul Clough, 16. Oliver Roberts, 14. Dale Ferguson, 13. Ryan Hinchcliffe.
Subs: 8. Seb Ikahihifo, 9. Kruise Leeming, 19. Daniel Smith, 20. Adam Walne.
Saints:
23. Ben Barba; 5. Adam Swift, 2. Tommy Makinson, 4. Mark Percival, 19. Regan Grace; 1. Jonny Lomax, 18. Danny Richardson; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Dom Peyroux, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 6. Theo Fages, 8. Alex Walmsley, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Luke Douglas.
RD3: Saints Fell Giants
Match Gallery (Bernard Platt)
