Saints beat Giants in hard-fought battle

😇 Here is how your Saints line-up for the game against Huddersfield!

🔙 Mata'uia & Hurrell are back
☝ First SL game in '23 for Hopoate
💪 Bell at loose forward
3️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ in the Red V tonight for LMS

Follow the game with our Live Match Centre 👇#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 23, 2023

The opening ten minutes of the game was spent mainly in the midfield, the main news being that Sione Mata’utia was taken off early on for a head injury assessment. The second rower would be ruled out for the rest of the game following the assessment.

It took until the 12th minute for the first real opening. A penalty helped Saints march into Giants territory, on the last the visitors looked to force their way over from two metres out as James Roby found Curtis Sironen, but he was held up over the line, turnover. From the restart the hosts moved downfield courtesy of a Will Pryce break, they looked to have created an overlap down their left edge but a great tackle from Tommy Makinson knocked the ball loose, 0-0 it remained.

Saints did take the lead just before the hour mark. After earning a ‘six again’ call and off the back of good carries by Roby and Jonny Lomax, the Red V found themselves in the hosts 20. They opted to go right as Roby found Jack Welsby, he then found the returning Konrad Hurrell who slid over from close range. Makinson converted, 0-6.

Hurrell over for the Champions after good work from Roby & Lomax 👏@Saints1890 with the lead live on @SkySportsRL Arena & Mix 📺#SuperLeague #SLHudStH pic.twitter.com/1oVhudtFqf

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 23, 2023

The visitors felt another had quickly followed. The ball was worked down the right edge again as try-scorer Hurrell helped on a pass to Makinson who impressively stayed in the field of play before diving over in the corner. The referee sent it upstairs as a try and the video referee agreed. Makinson converted his own try impressively from the right touchline, 0-12.

Slick @Saints1890 score 🔥

Makinson finishes brilliantly after Hurrell's offload live on @SkySportsRL Arena & Mix 👏#SuperLeague #SLHudStH pic.twitter.com/iXglqvBeF1

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 23, 2023

Huddersfield replied three minutes before the break. A penalty allowed them to move downfield and as they got into the Saints ten, winger Ashton Golding spotted a gap from dummy half down the short side, forcing his way over to score. Olly Russell converted, 6-12 as we approached half-time.

⏸ The Saints' lead is cut to six points following a late home try to close out the opening half

Follow the second forty on our Live Match Centre ⬇#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 23, 2023

Ten minutes into the second half Saints had a great chance to make it a two-score game once again. Hurrell cut infield and was caught high which gave the visitors a penalty in front of the sticks. Makinson made no mistake, 6-14. Saints maintained that pressure and forced a goal-line dropout after a kick in behind by Welsby. However, during the move Lomax was hit late and was shown the green card by the referee, meaning he was off the pitch for the next two minutes.

Competitive opening forty ⚔

📸 @plattyphoto #COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/exqIWb3Veg

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 23, 2023

Huddersfield thought they had replied with 15 minutes to go. After being camped on the visitors line, from a scrum, ten metres out, they went left. Jake Connor found Harry Rushton, he then found Innes Senior who dove over in the corner and despite Welsby’s best efforts, the video referee agreed with the try decision on-field. Russell converted, 12-14.

With just under seven minutes to go, Saints thought they had another try. A move down the short side resulted in Welsby throwing a cut out pass to Makinson on the wing, he broke and found Welsby again to stroll over but the referee had already called it back for a forward pass, 12-14 it stayed.

That was to be the final main action of the game, which saw a battle in the middle of the field at the John Smith’s Stadium. Saints beating the Giants 12-14 for a second win in a row.

💪 Back-to-back dubs for the Saints, with strong defence on show at the John Smith's Stadium!#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 23, 2023

Match Summary

Huddersfield Giants Team: Will Pryce, Ashton Golding, Sam Halsall, Kevin Naiqama, Innes Senior, Esan Marsters, Olly Russell, Chris Hill, Nathan Peats, Owen Trout, Chris McQueen, Harvey Livett, Luke Yates.

Interchanges: Jake Connor, Seb Ikahihifo, Harry Rushton, Jack Ashworth.

18th Man: Leroy Cudjoe.

Tries: Ashton Golding (37), Innes Senior (65)

Conversions: Olly Russell (2 from 2)

Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Will Hopoate, Jon Bennison, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Curtis Sironen, Sione Mata’utia, James Bell.

Interchanges: Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Agnatius Paasi, Sam Royle.

18th Man: Tee Ritson.

Tries: Konrad Hurrell (28), Tommy Makinson (31)

Conversions: Tommy Makinson (2 from 2)

Penalties: Tommy Makinson (1 from 1)

HT: 6-12

FT: 12-14

Attendance: 4,684