Each day whilst we are all in Lockdown we will recall a famous Saints moment from the current day thanks to Saints Heritage Society.
27 May 2005…
Super League R15: Saints 38-24 Leeds Rhinos at Knowsley Road.
The win saw a try apiece for the two Andersons – Paul Anderson [pictured] and Kiwi second-rower Vinnie Anderson whilst another Anderson – Head Coach Daniel – made a dream start to his Saints reign!
Although Marcus Bai gave Leeds an early lead, Saints recovered with Paul Anderson, Darren Albert and Sean Long all going over to put them in charge.
Long helped kick Saints to a 38-12 lead going into the final quarter.
Leeds’ Jamie Jones-Buchanan scored two late tries to complete his hat-trick, but Saints were unstoppable.
The champions, beaten only once so far this year, looked a shadow of their former selves and even the introduction of substitute Danny McGuire after 21 minutes failed to pick them up.
A late first-half try from Jones-Buchanan gave them some hope but St Helens’ 20-point advantage was restored within three minutes of the second half when teenage full-back Ian Hardman clained his side’s fifth try.
Skipper Paul Sculthorpe added another try for Saints after 47 minutes after he got onto the end of Vinnie Anderson’s pass to touch down.
Jones-Buchanan’s two tries restored some pride for the visitors with Rob Burrow landing both kicks.
Saints coach Daniel Anderson was thrilled with his first taste of Super League action.
“It was very enjoyable. The whole experience was quite exhilarating,” he said.
“I’ve never seen a crowd have such an impact. I had to wait for a lull to get my messages out.
“It really does get the hairs up on the back of your neck.”
Leeds coach Tony Smith said he knew the St Helens players would raise their game for Anderson.
“It was a great start for Daniel,” he said after the game.”We spoke about it earlier in the week.
“We said they would be full of enthusiasm and would be out to show their new coach they could play. They certainly did that.
“Their performance was outstanding, especially compared to their two previous performances.”
St Helens: Hardman, Gardner, Lyon, Talau, Albert, Hooper, Long, Fozzard, Cunningham, P. Anderson, Gilmour, V. Anderson, Sculthorpe. Replacements: Bennett, Fa’asavalu, Graham, Roby.
Leeds: Mathers, Calderwood, McKenna, Senior, Bai, Sinfield, Burrow, Bailey, Dunemann, Ward, Jones-Buchanan, Poching, Ellis. Replacements: McGuire, McDermott, Lauitiiti, Botham.
