Saints ended their Super 8s campaign with a comfortable 26-0 win over Castleford.

Ben Barba scored a brace whilst Morgan Knowles and Matty Lees also crossed as Justin Holbrook’s men warmed up for next week’s semi-final with Warrington.

A sterner test that will obviously be, but Saints will head into it full of confidence after ending the league season on a high.

Saints were in front after only eight minutes – and it was a lead they never looked like losing.

Matty Costello danced in from the left to set up the space for Matty Lees to charge on to a short ball for this first try in the Red V.

Saints then defended back to back sets before Barba caught a high ball and set Tommy Makinson away down the centre of the field.

The winger did well too; running through one before he was tackled by Joe Wardle. Saints were in a great position but the Cas man wouldn’t let him play the ball and was sinbinned.

A man to the good, Saints made their visitors pay – and it was Morgan Knowles who bagged his fifth of the season.

He took a pass in midfield, stepped his defender and then rounded the full back.

Saints were looking dangerous on every attack and it was no surprise when they got the better of Castleford once again before the half time hooter.

Regan Grace took Costello’s pass to go down the left – and duly turned it inside for Barba to clock has 30th of the season.

Richardson tagged on a penalty three minutes into the second half before Barba notched another try two minutes later – twisting and turning to put down with three defenders on him.

Saints went close through LMS and Fages on the hour mark before Justin Holbrook started to rest his big guns with one eye on next week’s big game.

Barba and James Roby both came off early, leaving the likes of Costello, James Bentley and Jack Ashworth to enjoy more game time – and backstop Saints to their 28th win of the season.

Match Summary:

Saints:
Tries: Lees, Knowles, Barba (2)
Goals: Richardson (5 from 5)

Tigers:
Tries:
Goals:

Penalties Awarded:
Saints: 8
Tigers: 6

HT: 18-0
FT: 26-0

REF: Scott Mikalauskas

ATT: 9,813

Teams:

Saints:
23. Ben Barba; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Ryan Morgan, 30. Matty Costello, 19. Regan Grace; 6. Theo Fages, 18. Danny Richardson; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 20. Matty Lees, 11. Zeb Taia, 17. Dom Peyroux, 15. Morgan Knowles.
Subs: 14. Luke Douglas, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 21. Jack Ashworth, 24. James Bentley.

Tigers:
36. Peter Mataíutia; 2. Greg Minikin, 3. Jake Webster, 1. Ben Roberts, 26. James Clare; 21. Jake Trueman, 7. Luke Gale; 32. Liam Watts, 9. Paul McShane, 10. Grant Millington, 16. Joe Wardle, 15. Jesse Sene-Lefao, 14. Nathan Massey.
Subs: 13. Adam Milner, 23. Mitch Clark, 25. Will Maher, 34. Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e.

Saints Line up

23 Ben Barba
2 Tommy Makinson
Ryan Morgan
21 Matthew Costello
5 Regan Grace
7 Theo Fages
7 Danny Richardson
10 Matty Lees
James Roby
18 Kyle Amor
11 Zeb Taia
12 Dominique Peyroux
13 Morgan Knowles
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
14 Luke Douglas
17 Jack Ashworth
12 James Bentley

Castleford Tigers Line up

1Peter Mata’utia
2Greg Minikin
3Jake Webster
4Ben Roberts
5James Clare
6Jake Trueman
7Luke Gale
8Liam Watts
9Paul McShane
10Grant Millington
11Joe Wardle
12Jesse Sene-Lefao
13Nathan Massey
14Adam Milner
15Mitch Clark
16Will Maher
17Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e

Last updated 28 Sep 18 21:33:14

FT
75'

But Cas knock on!

75'

Saints have to drop out.

Jack Ashworth on the burst @plattyphoto

65'

Matty Lees taken high, Saints have a penalty

60'

Chip from Richardson – Taia felled – Saints penalty.

60'

Both sides trade knock ons – Saints have the ball in Cas 30.

57'

Cas caught for a forward pass – Saints lead 26-0

51'

Cas follow up with back to back penalties – but Saints put Webster in touch to keep their line intact.

49'

Error from Saints – Cas ball, 35 out.

Yes Benny! @plattyphoto

45'
Goal
for Saints

Danny makes it 26-0

45'
Try
Ben Barba for Saints

Barba on the last, looks at the defence, steps off his left and right and then puts down under pressure.

42'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Penalty in front of the sticks – Saints lead 20-0

40'

Saints force a knock on from Cas – they will attack from 30 out,

40'

Saints will get the second half underway – they lead 18-0

40'
HT
39'

Richardson drop goal attempt goes wide.

30th of the season for Barba @plattyphoto

36'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Danny makes it 18-0

35'
Try
Ben Barba for Saints

Saints get it left – Regan goes down the touchline and turns it back inside for Benny!

7 to go in the first half and Saints lead 12-0

33'

Another good kick on the last from Barba – and Cas have to drop out again.

31'

Barba forces Cas to drop out.

Fifth of the year for Morgan Knowles @plattyphoto

25'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints
25'
Try
Morgan Knowles for Saints

Great feet from Morgan, takes a pass, steps his man and then rounds the fullback to slide over.

nimble feet from Tommy Mak @plattyphoto

21'
Yellow Card
Joe Wardle for Castleford Tigers

Barba takes the high ball, sets Tommy off down the field – he fells one in his run and then Wardle holds on too long and is binned.

17'

Enterprising play on the last from Saints but Cas gather Dom Peyroux’s kick.

16'

Cas then called for a forward pass – Saints will have the scrum near their own line.

15'

Cas kick on the last – it appears to hit the referee and go dead – Saints have to drop out.

Good D from Saints defence there sees the ball come out – but Cas have another set

12'

Cas penalty in their own 40.

Leesy’s delighted with his first try!

10'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson makes it 6-0

8'
Try
Matty Lees for Saints

Short ball and Lees is over for his first in the Red V!

7'

And another penalty. Saints on the front foot.

6'

Saints penalty

4'

Barba up to a chip-through and Saints come away with it.

4'

Cas on the attack, 20 out.

Castleford get this one underway