St.Helens Reserves ran in eight tries in a 48-6 win over Huddersfield Giants at Ruskin Drive on Sunday evening.
Watch the highlights below and watch the full 80 minutes and reaction on Saints TV.
Match Report
Saints started the game the brighter and it wasn’t long before Jack Ashworth forced his way over to score the games first try under the posts.
The dominance continued as Saints scored two quick-fire tries to take the lead to 18-0, the first came from Tom Nisbet who showed his strength to power his way over before minutes later a fantastic solo effort from Lewis Dodd saw the young half back step through a gap in the defence to score.
Huddersfield tried to get back into the game, but the St.Helens defence stood strong and after three repeat sets the Giants knocked on before the half-time whistle sounded.
The second half started in similar fashion, a break in the rain allowed Saints to move the ball around more freely and the pressure paid off as Lewis Dodd broke through again, this time he passed inside to Michael Weldon who finished the move off.
It was all one way traffic from this point and Huddersfield were struggling see any of the ball. Back-to-back sets for Saints saw the ball make its way to Kye Siyani, who made no mistake in barging his way over the line to score the sixth try of the game.
However, against the run of play the Giants hit back, a momentary lapse in concentration saw a gap open up for Jon Luke Kirby to power through before rounding Tom Nisbett to score what would be Huddersfield’s only try of the evening.
Ian Talbot’s men responded though as Joe Batchelor was the first to pick up a loose ball, before running in yet another Saints try.
Experienced hooker Paul Crook then scooted from dummy-half after a clever offload from Ashworth to put the ball down between the sticks before Ashworth crossed for his second after latching onto a loose ball to cross over the try line, just before the full-time whistle sounded.
Ryan Shaw kicked the goal from the touchline to maintain his 100% goal kicking rate on the night which helped the Saints cruise to a 48-6 victory and make it four wins from four.
Match Summary
Saints Team – Tom Nisbet, Liam Forsyth, Nico Rizzelli, Josh Simm, Ryan Shaw, Owain Abel, Lewis Dodd, Jack Ashworth, Paul Crook, Callum Hazzard, Joe Batchelor, Mike Weldon, Ben Davies.
Interchanges – Paul Nash, Kye Siyani, Callum Field, Sam Royle.
Tries – Jack Ashworth 2, Tom Nisbet, Mike Weldon, Kye Siyani, Joe Batchelor, Paul Crook.
Conversions – Ryan Shaw 7 from 7.
Huddersfield Team – R Chapman-Smith; T Corion, L Senior, B Tibbs, I Senior; Stroud, J Paga; O Trout, R Whitmore, A Walne; D Young, A Copley, C Cameron.
Interchanges –G Collins, J Ray, O Waite, J Kirby.
Tries – Jon Luke Kirby
HT: 18-0
FT: 48-6
Hear from Head Coach Ian Talbot following the win - Full interview on Saints TV
Photos by Jess Hornby
