Saints nilled Huddersfield 0-28 this evening at the John Smith's Stadium, to make it back to back wins to open 2024!
😇 Your Saints lineup for the first away @SuperLeague fixture of the season against @Giantsrl!
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➡ https://t.co/2xjjB6TdRO#COYS pic.twitter.com/HYboWKzycu— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 24, 2024
In a hard fought opening quarter to the half, it took ten minutes for the first points. Saints moved the ball from left to right and Matt Whitley collected Jonny Lomax’s grubber kick to slide over and grab his third try in his first two appearances for the club. Mark Percival converted, 0-6.
Another try for @matty_whitley in a @Saints1890 shirt after @lomax_1990's kick 😇
The visitors in front against the Giants 👏#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/tjV3TFXKpo
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 24, 2024
It took until two minutes before the break for try number two. Sione Mata’utia collected James Bell’s short pass close to the Giants line and broke over the top of the defender, before planting the ball down. The video referee was called upon, and he agreed with the on-field decision of try. Percival added the two, 0-12 Saints led at the break.
⏸ Saints are ahead at the break thanks to first half tries from Whitley and Mata'utia!
Live Match Centre for the second half
➡️ https://t.co/2xjjB6SG2g#COYS pic.twitter.com/uCk6KxuKbb— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 24, 2024
Eleven minutes into the second half, Saints grabbed their third try of the evening. Saints kept the ball alive down the left edge and it found its way to Daryl Clark, he put in a low kick which bounced perfectly into the hands of Jack Welsby to score under the sticks. Percival added two more points, 0-18.
Super @jackwelsby_ 🫵😅
📸 @plattyphoto #COYS pic.twitter.com/88eg9rsBN0
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 24, 2024
Saints were reduced to twelve men just after the hour-mark. A kick to the corner looked to have gone dead inn-goal, however the referee went upstairs and the Giants were awarded a penalty and Saints lost Clark for ten minutes for the incident.
Saints rode the storm well, and grabbed two late tries to seal the win. With five minutes to go, Saints grabbed the try of the game. Jake Wingfield found Welsby down the middle and he broke through, the ball was then shifted through the hands down the left edge and eventually found its way to Jon Bennison to score in the corner. Makinson missed the kick, 0-22.
The final try came with two minutes to go. Welsby again collected a late offload and broke through the heart of the Giants and found the returning Morgan Knowles on his inside as support, who scored under the sticks on his return. Makinson kicked the final points of the game, as Saints beat the Giants 0-28 in West Yorkshire!
👊 A dominant performance from the Saints over in West Yorkshire!#COYS pic.twitter.com/rctYBxibPS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 24, 2024
Match Summary
Huddersfield Giants Team: Tui Lolohea, Adam Swift, Esan Marsters, Kevin Naiqama, Elliot Wallis, Adam Clune, Oliver Russell, Chris Hill, Adam Milner, Seb Ikahihifo, Jack Murchie, Sam Hewitt, Leroy Cudjoe.
Interchanges: Ashton Golding, Matty English, Oliver Wilson, Hugo Salabio.
18th Man: Sam Halsall.
Tries:
Conversions:
Saints Team: Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Waqa Blake, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Matt Whitley, Curtis Sironen, Morgan Knowles.
Interchanges: Sione Mata’utia, James Bell, Jake Wingfield, George Delaney.
18th Man: Ben Davies.
Tries: Matt Whitley (10), Sione Mata’utia (38), Jack Welsby (51), Jon Bennison (75), Morgan Knowles (78)
Conversions: Mark Percival (3 from 3), Tommy Makinson (1 from 2)
Sin Bin: Daryl Clark (63)
HT: 0-12
FT: 0-28
Attendance: 6812
