Saints ran in seven tries as they beat Catalans Dragons 46-28 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Mark Percival scored 22 points in the win that leaves Justin Holbrook’s men on the coattails of the top four heading into the final round of fixtures.

The manner of the victory was built on resilience as Saints didn’t have it all their own way until much later in the second half.

They got off to the worst possible start too when former fan favourite Luke Walsh produced a fine reverse kick for Justin Horo to catch the defence unaware.

But within two minutes, following a strong run from Jon Wilkin, James Roby caught Theo Fages on a fine line.

Saints continued to pile on the pressure but Catalans went back ahead on 17 minutes when Walsh stepped off his right foot and went under the posts.

The Dragons were unlucky not to increase their lead further too – but the introduction of Alex Walmsley turned the momentum Saints’ way.

Roby broke down the middle, found Alex on his outside and the big fella went 45 metres, with a sidestep thrown in, to crash over to the right of the posts.

Percival added a penalty on the half an hour mark – but within two minutes Tony Gigot had pounced on a Walsh kick through to put the Dragons back ahead.

But, as was the tale of the first half, Saints hit back through Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.

Percival did the damage – releasing the ball back inside for Zeb Taia to pick up, and he made no mistake in putting LMS over from close range.

Saints were penalised twice in the second half for stepping off the mark – although similar offences were left unpunished in the first – and it allowed Catalans to build up the momentum.

And on the 50 minute Mark, Horo got on the outside of the Saints’ defence and put down under pressure for his second.

But Saints replied through the boot of Mark Percival to make it all square.

And moments later they were ahead.

Danny Richardson found Ryan Morgan who cut inside, drew the fullback and duly put Jonny Lomax under the posts on his 150th appearance for the club.

Percival converted and then added another penalty to take Saints two scores out.

Saints looked comfortable and it showed too as they not only restricted Catalans to their own 40 but looked set to extend their lead.

But Danny Richardson’s chip with 10 to go was collected by Richie Myler who went the full length.

Walsh nailing the conversion off the touchline to make it game on.

Saints defended the Dragons next set and then won a penalty under the posts.

But they spurned the opportunity to take the lead out to four points… and Percival latched on to a flowing move to score in the corner.

Saints then put it to bed.

Thompson span over following Richardson’s reverse pass, and as the hooter sounded, Roby chipped it ahead for Ryan Morgan to cross.

 

Saints Line up

6 Jonny Lomax
2 Tommy Makinson
Ryan Morgan
4 Mark Percival
5 Regan Grace
7 Theo Fages
7 Danny Richardson
14 Luke Douglas
James Roby
10 Luke Thompson
11 Zeb Taia
12 Dominique Peyroux
12 Jon Wilkin
8 Alex Walmsley
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
13 Morgan Knowles

Catalans Dragons Line up

1Tony Gigot
2Lewis Tierney
3Krisnan Inu
4Vincent Duport
5Fouad Yaha
6Luke Walsh
7Richie Myler
8Sam Moa
9Paul Aiton
10Julian Bousquet
11Louis Anderson
12Justin Horo
13Jason Baitieri
14Rémi Casty
15Greg Bird
16Alrix Da Costa
17Romain Navarrete

Last updated 16 Jul 17 16:49:54

FT
80'
Try
Ryan Morgan for Saints

Class from Roby – breaks and then chips it for Morgan to chase.

79'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

Percy makes it 42-28

78'
Try
Luke Thompson for Saints

No stopping Thommo! Spin and in.

Theo Fages wins man of the match

75'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

Off the touchline from Percy – class for 36-28

74'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

Over in the corner as Saints shift it wide.

71'
Goal
Luke Walsh for Catalans Dragons

Walsh makes it a two point game.

70'
Try
Richie Myler for Catalans Dragons

Richardson tries a chip – but Myler collects it and goes the length.

Ryan Morgan with the break that set up Jonny’s try @plattyphoto

66'

But are then collared for a forward pass.

65'

Saints have another set following Theo’s kick.

64 gone and Saints lead 30-22 – try on his 150th appearance for the club for Jonny Lomax – Pic by @plattyphoto

64'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints
60'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

That’s Percy’s 500th point in Super League – Saints lead 28-22

59'
Try
Jonny Lomax for Saints

Piece of magic from Ryan Morgan – cuts inside from Richardson’s pass and feeds Lomax

57'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

Percy levels it up. 22-22

56'

Grace wins a repeat set and then Catalans give another penalty away. 10 so far. Saints will take the 2.

55'

High Walsh ball taken by Lomax then Saints win a penalty.

52'

Catalans get a penalty then Wilko smashes Casty to dislodge the ball. Huge hit.

51'

Walsh misses the kick – but Catalans lead 22-20

50'
Try
Justin Horo for Catalans Dragons

Takes on the defence on the far side and Catalans lead again

47'

Now Louie is collared for stepping off the mark

45'

Alex caught for stepping off the mark – Catalans penalty

43'

Catalans will drop out

43'

Saints have a penalty and are on the attack.

40'

Back underway – Catalans kick off, Saints lead by two points.

We’re on snapchat as saints1890…. couple of try highlights there already too!

@plattyphoto

Half Time and Saints lead 20-18 – tries from Fages, a class effort from Walmsley and LMS. Pic by @plattyphoto

29'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

Percy makes it 20-18 to the Saints.

38'
Try
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook for Saints

Percival finds Taia who puts LMS under the sticks. Great move from the Saints.

37'

Baffled faces all around at that call… but Saints get the ball back.

37'

Free play – Percy kicks it to chase… gets his shirt pulled all the way but nothing is giving.

35'

Percy gets away – but Tierney ankle taps him to save a certain try

33'
Goal
Luke Walsh for Catalans Dragons

Walsh makes it 18-14 to the visitors.

32'
Try
Tony Gigot for Catalans Dragons

Simple kick and the full back latches on to it.

31'

Saints lose the ball form the restart… some D coming up

Big Al with a big try. Pic by @plattyphoto

30'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

Penalty over… Saints lead 14-12

29'

Catalans racking up the penalties – three in a row and Saints will take the two

26'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

Percy makes it 12-12

25'
Try
Alex Walmsley for Saints

GO ALEX! Big Al hits X repeatedly, goes 45 metres – with a sidestep thrown in.

22'

Catalans doing more with the ball at present – asking questions of Saints D.

18'
Goal
Luke Walsh for Catalans Dragons

Walsh makes it 12-6 to the visitors.

16'
Try
Luke Walsh for Catalans Dragons

Solo effort from the former Saint – steps off the mark and the defence can’t handle him.

16'

Catalans force a drop out.

Roby in the thick of it @plattyphoto

14'

Catalans come up with the error – Saints come away with the ball

12'

Catalans get the ball back as a short drop out causes problems

12'

Saints win a drop out following Fages kick.

10'

Regan just can’t haul in Lomax’ pass as Saints attack the left hand side.

Theo with Saints opener – @plattyphoto with the pic.

7'
Goal
Mark Percival for Saints

Percy levels it up.

6'
Try
Theo Fages for Saints

Strong run from Wilkin – and then Roby puts Theo over.

6'

Saints in Catalans’ half now – and they win a penalty

4'
Goal
Luke Walsh for Catalans Dragons

And Walsh makes it 6-0 to the visitors.

3'
Try
Justin Horo for Catalans Dragons

Walsh with the reverse kick catches Saints unaware…

Saints get this one underway