Saints opened our 2022 campaign with a 28-8 win over the Catalans Dragons in a rematch of the 2021 Betfred Super League Grand Final!
The game got off to a fiery start. Gil Dudson returned the Saints kick off and reacted to a tackle before being sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.
π΄βͺ ππΌππππ πππΌπ ππππ! π΄βͺ
Your Saints team for tonight's Betfred @SuperLeague opener with @DragonsOfficiel… π
Will Hopoate and @konmanhurrell make their competitive Saints debuts with Joey Lussick and Curtis Sironen primed for impact off the bench! β#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 10, 2022
However the penalty was given to the Dragons and they worked the ball downfield and attempted a kick and chase which was fumbled by Jack Welsby in his own goal area. Luckily for Saints, the Dragons fumbled the ball themselves as they went to ground it so, after a video referee review, the decision was a scrum to the visitors and the score remained 0-0.
The Dragons did take the lead in the 13th minute mind. A kick out wide early in the set off the back of a penalty saw Fouad Yaha collect the ball and stroll in down their left-hand side. Sam Tomkins added the extras, 6-0.
The hosts had another good chance to score as Tom Davies broke half the length of the field before Jack Welsby caught him, the Saints number one also forcing a knock on in the process to give us the ball back.
Saints were able to grab their first try of the game just minutes after that crucial turnover. Sione Mata’utia made a break down the left-hand side and threw a great cut-out pass to Tommy Makinson on the left wing, he was able to keep his feet as he raced down the left touchline to score. Lewis Dodd was unable to add the extras. 6-4 we trailed.
Saints had another try a few minutes later. Debutant Konrad Hurrell made a big break down the right touchline before being tackled by the visitors, but he somehow got out an offload which allowed skipper James Roby to score in the right corner. Dodd was unable to add the extras, 8-6 we led.
π£ "A lovely ball." π
St Helens take the lead β pic.twitter.com/TL3MZCzGtn
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 10, 2022
Another score followed. Saints kept the ball alive as the attack looked over down the right-hand side, we worked the ball to Dodd who kicked and chased his own kick, and the four points were given after a video referee review. With Dodd carrying a knock, Makinson took over kicking duties but he dragged his kick wide, 12-6.
It wasn’t long before Makinson grabbed his second try of the evening. A massive break down the middle from Morgan Knowles put Saints in great field position, the ball was moved left and it ended with a cut-out Jonny Lomax pass to Makinson who strolled in for our fourth try of the half. Dodd took back the kicking duties following the try but it fell just short, 16-4.
Catalans were awarded a penalty close to the hooter in front of the Saints sticks, Tomkins adding the two points to make it 16-8 to the Saints at the break.
HT: π Saints 16-8 Catalans π²
We lead at the break through two from Makinson plus scores from Roby and Dodd!#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 10, 2022
The first spell of pressure in the second half came from the visitors, however some good resilient defence form the Saints kept them out. We then worked our way to the other end of the pitch and that resulted in a penalty in front of the sticks, which Dodd converted to make it 18-8.
Another Saints chance followed as Dodd made a break downfield and found the supporting Welsby, however he was stopped just before the try-line and then Catalans defenders retreated before Saints could play the ball.
As the game entered the closing stages, Dylan Napa was sent off for the visitors for a high shot on Mark Percival, who had to go off for a concussion assessment.
We made the most of our extra man advantage. A penalty helped move us downfield and debutant Joey Lussick spotted a gap from dummy half and exploited it to score to the left of the sticks! Dodd added the extras, 24-8 we led.
A debut try for Joey Lussick π pic.twitter.com/SV4SZoe6nK
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 10, 2022
We weren’t finished there either. Catalans tried a move down the short side and Tomkins’ pass was intercepted by another debutant in Hurrell who strolled away to score in the right corner. Dodd was unable to convert, 28-8.
FT: π Saints 28-8 Catalans π²
We kick off our title campaign with a 'W'!#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 10, 2022
Match Summary
Saints Team:Β Jack Welsby, Will Hopoate, Konrad Hurrell, Mark Percival, Tommy Makinson, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Sione Mata’utia, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles.
Interchanges:Β Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Agnatius Paasi, Curtis Sironen.
Tries:Β Tommy Makinson (23, 38), James Roby (28), Lewis Dodd (34), Joey Lussick (74), Konrad Hurrell (78)
Conversions:Β Lewis Dodd (1 from 5), Tommy Makinson (0 from 1)
Penalties:Β Lewis Dodd (1 from 1)
Catalans Dragons Team:Β Sam Tomkins, Tom Davies, Samisoni Langi, Dean Whare, Fouad Yaha, Mitchell Pearce, Josh Drinkwater, Gil Dudson, Michael McIlorum, Dylan Napa, Matt Whitley, Mike McMeekan, Benjamin Garcia.
Interchanges:Β Julian Bousquet, Jordan Dezaria, Sam Kasiano, Tyrone May.
Tries:Β Fouad Yaha (13),
Conversions:Β Sam Tomkins (1 from 1)
Penalties:Β Sam Tomkins (1 from 1)
Sin Bin:Β Gil Dudson (1)
Sent Off:Β Dylan Napa (71)
HT:Β 16-8
FT:Β 28-8
