Mark Percival grabbed a hat-trick as Saints turned in an impressive performance to beat Warrington 30-12.
The centre took his season’s tally to seven as Saints kept up their 100 per cent record to top the Betfred Super League table.
Danny Richardson lay on two of Percy’s scores in a show that belied his 21 years, whilst James Roby was also stellar as he reached 99 tries for the club.
Whilst the scoreline blew out towards the end of the contest, this game was a tight tussle throughout.
Both sides ripped into each other from the off but it was Saints who stuck first in the fifth minute, thanks to a piece of brilliance from Percival and Richardson.
On the last, the scrum half shaped to kick it right, but instead opted to dip his shoulder, go left and catch Percival on a class line to go over.
Richardson slotted the first of his five goals for 6-0 but from the restart, Saints lost the ball and had to defend a number of sets on their own line.
They did that, but were powerless to stop Toby King on 15 minutes when he pounced on Tyrone Robert’s chip to the corner.
Stefan Ratchford tagged the conversion from the touchline but Richardson put Saints back in front with a penalty on 30 minutes.
8-6 to Holbrook’s men at the break.
It didn’t take Saints long to extend that lead as within minutes of the second half, Roby darted over for his 99th in the Red Vee.
It came after an error from the restart; Roberts turning his back only for Saints to grab it and the number 9 doing what he does best.
Richardson made it 14-6 with the boot, but Warrington got back in the contest thanks to another kick to the corner.
This time, Tom Lineham caught the high ball and offloaded superbly to put Harvey Livett in.
Ratchford tagging another tricky conversion from the touchline.
Saints weren’t going to crumble though and replied with style.
Ben Barba won a drop out with a cute chip and then, on the next set, fired a wonder pass for the Percival to grab his second of the night.
Then followed more magic from the boot of Richardson.
On the last and in his own half, the youngster ‘showed and goed’, broke through and then displayed great awareness to chip into the left hand corner for Percy to grab his hat-trick.
A try that was world class.
Warrington tried to get back into it but the game was gone and it was left for Richardson to grab a try of his own right at the death.
Barba went away down the left hand side, found Percival who then chipped it ahead for Danny to chase.
And he did, putting down under the sticks in front of 3,000 delirious travelling supporters.
A magnificent end to a great performance.
Match Summary:
Wolves:
Tries: King. T, Livett,
Goals: Ratchford (2 from 2)
Saints:
Tries: Percival (3), Roby, Richardson
Goals: Richardson (5 from 6)
Penalties Awarded:
Wolves: 6
Saints: 12
HT: 6-8
FT: 12-30
REF: J Child
ATT: 12,268
Teams:
Wolves:
1. Stefan Ratchford; 2. Tom Lineham, 18. Toby King, 4. Ryan Atkins, 21. Mitch Brown; 6. Kevin Brown, 7. Tyrone Roberts; 8. Chris Hill, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Mike Cooper, 13. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 12. Jack Hughes, 34. Ben Westwood.
Subs: 14. Dominic Crosby, 17. Joe Philbin, 19. George King, 20. Harvey Livett.
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, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Subs: 6. Theo Fages, 8. Alex Walmsley, 14. Luke Douglas, 20. Matty Lees.
RD5: Warrington v Saints
Match Action (Bernard Platt)
