Saints beat Huddersfield 13-12 at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday evening to move back top of the Betfred Super League!
After a dominant start Huddersfield took the lead five minutes in. Tui Lolohea’s high kick was fumbled by Saints into the arms of Joe Greenwood, who fed the ball to former Saint Kevin Naiqama, and he was able to walk over in the corner. Jake Connor added the extras, 0-6.
Twelve minutes in, we had our first trip to the video referee. Connor had acres of space ahead of him down the Giants’ left-hand side and threw a cut-out pass to Adam Swift, he broke Tommy Makinson’s tackle before kicking ahead of him and Saints were unable to deal with the bouncing ball, allowing Swift to ground it and score. The on-field decision of try was agreed with after a lengthy review. Connor converted again, o-12 the visitors led.
Saints tried to get back into the game, but their sets on the Giants line was first halted by a knock on, before Swift claimed a high kick in the corner to earn a seven-tackle set.
With thirteen minutes of the first half to go, Saints got back into it. Huddersfield again tried to throw a cut-out pass down their left edge just inside the Saints half but this time Makinson plucked it out of the air and raced the other way to score underneath the sticks. Mark Percival converted, 6-12 Saints trailed.
'This might put a smile on his face'
Tommy Makinson leading a Saints comeback pic.twitter.com/eqomL57naf
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) April 25, 2024
Another chance quickly followed. A penalty pushed Saints downfield, the hosts looked to shift it through the hands from left to right but the ball went to ground as an opportunity looked to have arisen.
Adam Clune tried for a one-pointer as the first half came to a close, but his attempt sailed wide and into the arms of Jack Welsby.
⏸ The Saints are down by six points at the break against the Giants.#COYS pic.twitter.com/NoKnmRy57O
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 25, 2024
Saints thought they had reduced the deficit eight minutes into the second half. Moses Mbye’s high kick was claimed by Elliot Wallis, Percival’s great hit knocked the ball loose and Matt Whitley grounded it. A scuffle followed and the referee sent it upstairs as no try, which was agreed with by the video referee.
Sixteen minutes into the second half, back upstairs we went again. Mbye with another high kick that causes issues underneath the sticks, but it hits Saints hands and bounces forward before Daryl Clark grounded it. The video referee again agreeing with the on-field call of no try.
The hosts weren’t to be denied for much longer though. A great defensive set put the Red V in great field position. Clark spotted a gap from dummy half, threw a dummy before reaching over to score next to the sticks. Percival levelled the scores, 12-12.
Has Jake Connor's complaining cost his team the lead? pic.twitter.com/Lqz3x02LIA
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) April 25, 2024
With thirteen minutes left we had another trip upstairs for Saints. Huddersfield lost the ball, Saints moved it the hands, Percival found Waqa Blake who tried an acrobatic finish in the corner. The on-field decision of no try was agreed with though.
With 33 seconds left on the clock, on the last tackle, the ball found its way to Lomax who attempted a drop goal from long range and nailed it to win Saints the game.
The composure from Jonny Lomax 👏#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/kfRhk8kZyA
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) April 25, 2024
Match Summary
Saints Team: Jon Bennison, Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Mark Percival, Waqa Blake, Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax, Sione Mata’utia, Moses Mbye, Matty Lees, Matt Whitley, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles.
Interchanges: Daryl Clark, James Bell, Curtis Sironen, George Delaney.
18th Man: Ben Davies.
Tries: Tommy Makinson (27), Daryl Clark (63)
Conversions: Mark Percival (2 from 2)
Drop goal: Jonny Lomax (80)
Huddersfield Giants Team: Jake Connor, Adam Swift, Jake Bibby, Kevin Naiqama, Elliot Wallis, Tui Lolohea, Adam Clune, Oliver Wilson, Adam Milner, Joe Greenwood, Leroy Cudjoe, Harry Rushton, Luke Yates.
Interchanges: Ashton Golding, Matty English, Seb Ikahihifo, Sam Halsall.
18th Man: Oliver Russell.
Tries: Kevin Naiqama (5), Adam Swift (12)
Conversions: Jake Connor (2 from 2)
HT: 6-12
FT: 13-12
Attendance: 9,888
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