Makinson Brace Sends Saints Ten Clear

Tommy Makinson tallied a brace whilst Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Luke Douglas and Regan Grace all scored as Saints went 10 points clear at the top of the Betfred Super League table.

After a tight and tense opening quarter, Saints hit Trinity with three tries in eight minutes and never looked back.

There were some nervy moments but defensively Justin Holbrook’s team were back in a groove.

It took some time but after testing the defence early they broke the deadlock in the 26th minute.

Danny Richardson had been held up over the line to fire a warning – and six minutes later Jack Ashworth made two monster runs down the centre of the field to allow Ben Barba the space to find Tommy Makinson with a wonder pass in the corner.

It was one of the winger’s archetypal special finishes – and looked even better on the replay as the video referee gave it the nod.

Richardson slotted the conversion from the touchline and he was tagging on another five minutes later after Ashworth linked with James Roby to send Lomax carving his way to the left of the posts.

Makinson then collected Richardson’s high kick to make it 16-0.

Saints were good for the lead but early in the second half it was game on.

Kyle Wood pegged them back as Bill Tupou got the better of the defence – and then Wakefield forced Saints to drop out following a 70 metre break from the restart.

But with the hosts getting on top Craig Huby hit Kyle Amor high and was set to the bin for 10 minutes.

A man up, Saints should have turned the screw but instead they troubled to break Wakefield’s line.

And at the other end Pauli Pauli brought his side right back into it with a charge over from close range.

Saints hit back when Theo Fages crossed, thanks to good hands which saw the ball come left at speed, before Tupou went over.

But Saints restored their 10 point advantage when Luke Douglas somehow collected Richardson’s chip on the last.

They then put the game to bed with a piece of opportunistic brilliance from Regan Grace.

In all honesty Richardson’s kick on the last wasn’t the best but the winger collected in it broken play and then showed some scintillating footwork to beat the Wakefield rearguard.

With the job done it was left to Richardson to slot over a penalty with the hooter gone to complete the performance.

Match Summary:

Trinity:
Tries: Wood, Pauli, Tupou
Goals: Hampshire (2 from 3)

Saints:
Tries: Makinson (2), Lomax, Fages, Douglas, Grace
Goals: Richardson (6 from 7)

Penalties Awarded:
Trinity: 8
Saints: 7

HT: 0-16
FT: 16-36

REF: Liam Moore

ATT: 4,295

Teams:

Trinity:
21. Max Jowitt; 5. Ben Jones-Bishop, 4. Reece Lyne, 3. Bill Tupou, 2. Tom Johnstone; 6. Jacob Miller, 25. Ryan Hampshire; 8. David Fifita, 13. Tyler Randell, 10. Anthony England, 11. Matty Ashurst, 19. James Batchelor, 14. Justin Horo.
Subs: 9. Kyle Wood, 15. Pauli Pauli, 16. Tinirau Arona, 17. Craig Huby.

Saints:
23. Ben Barba; 2. Tommy Makinson, 30. Matty Costello, 4. Mark Percival, 19. Regan Grace; 1. Jonny Lomax, 18. Danny Richardson; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 14. Luke Douglas, 15. Morgan Knowles, 11. Zeb Taia, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Subs: 6. Theo Fages, 12. Jon Wilkin, 20. Matty Lees, 21. Jack Ashworth.