Kristian Woolf's men made it two from two with a convincing 25-0 win over Hull Kingston Rovers as Regan Grace bagged a double and Jack Welsby also impressed at full back in the Mose Masoe Round 2.
Saints got off to a great start as Regan Grace got his second in two games after just three minutes. Saints capitalised after winning a penalty, before Jonny Lomax’s cut-out pass found Grace who did brilliantly to catch the ball above his head and stay in play, before adjusting his feet and driving over the line. Tommy Makinson converted well to make it 6-0.
Saints doubled their lead in the seventh minute after a lovely bit of play from Theo Fages, whose quick feet beat three defenders before he offloaded to Jack Welsby to score his first try of the season. Makinson missed the conversion, meaning the score remained 10-0.
After a blistering start by Kristian Woolf’s men, the hosts began to get a foothold in the game, really testing the Champions’ solid defensive record. With the game becoming very end to end, the play became quite scrappy with several errors for each side, but Saints held on to their 10-0 lead going into half time.
π΅βͺ ππΌππππ πππΌπ ππππ! π΅βͺ
This is how your Saints will line up for the Mose Masoe Round 2 clash vs @hullkrofficial π₯
Follow all the build-up in our match centre! π#COYS
β St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 1, 2021
Saints started the second half positively and Makinson added two more points to the board after Hull KR were penalised for offside, extending Saints lead to 12-0 after 46 minutes.
Kyle Amor was held up on the line after some positive play by captain James Roby, before Theo Fages kicked a drop goal to extend the lead to 13-0 after 55 minutes.
George Lawler was then sin binned after being warned several times by Robert Hicks, and Saints capitalised straight away through Aaron Smith. It was Alex Walmsley who tried to offload, but the ball bounced into the hands of Smith who picked it up and drove for the line. It went upstairs and was given as Makinson converted to make it 19-0.
Welsby continued to impress at full back and he set up Grace for his second with a long cut-out pass to the left where Grace was there to grab his second. Makinson added the extras to make it 25-0 and secured our second win from as many games.
Leeds Rhinos are up next in the Betfred Challenge Cup on Saturday!
FT: π΄βͺ Hull KR 0-25 Saints π
A double from Grace plus scores from Welsby and Smith secure a second win of the season for Saints!#COYS
β St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 1, 2021
Match Summary:
Hull KR 13: Adam Quinlan, Ben Crooks, Greg Minikin, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Mikey Lewis, Jordan Abdull, Korbin Sims, Jez Litten, George King, Kane Linnett, Dean Hadley, George Lawler.
Interchanges:Β Matt Parcell, Elliot Minchella, Matty Storton, Muizz Mustapha.
Saints 13:Β Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Josh Simm, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Joel Thompson, James Bentley, Sione Mataβutia.
Interchanges:Β Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Kyle Amor, Aaron Smith, Joe Batchelor.
Tries:Β Grace (3, 70), Welsby (7), Smith (62)
Conversions:Β Makinson (3)
Penalties:Β Makinson (46)
Drop Goals:Β Fages (55)
Half time:Β 0-10
Full time:Β 0-25
Referee:Β Robert Hicks
