Saints edged an astonishing game 34-30 after they scored three tries in seven second half minutes.

Regan Grace, James Roby and Zeb Taia all crossed in a staggering salvo as they flipped the game on its head to stay six clear at the top of the table.

Beforehand, Wakefield had overturned a 20-6 half time deficit with four tries of their own to threaten a league double.

And they even scored in the last minute too – but Saints held firm.

Justin Holbrook’s side controlled the majority of the first half but were made to fight hard for their lead.

Both teams went close in the opening 10 minutes; Regan Grace looking most lively for the home side after scooting 50 metres on two separate carries.

But three minutes later he made one of them pay after he got on to a nice passing move.

And what a flowing passage of play it was – Jonny Lomax finding Ben Barba who then threw a peach of a cut out ball for Mark Percival to put in his winger.

Danny Richardson hammered home the extras but with a blink of an eye Wakefield had replied.

Saints were caught overplaying on their own line; going for an offload that probably wasn’t on and Tom Johnstone intercepted.

But in the 25th minute they wrestled the lead back with a great move on the last.

Initially the ball was on the right hand side – but it was then shifted left to Barba who gave it to Percival to hand Lomax a walk over.

Richardson then scored a try right from the Saints of yesteryear.

They kept it alive on the last, sending the ball through several pairs of hands before it landed with Barba.

Faced with a wall of defenders, the full back kicked the ball back across the field, Tommy Makinson tapped it back and Richardson sidestepped his way to the line.

Barba made another break as the half came to a close but the home side had to settle with a Richardson penalty as the hooter sounded.

20-6, and Saints were in control.

Or so they thought.

Ryan Hampshire scored three minutes into the second half to bring his side back into it before Trinity turned up the heat.

Jacob Miller collected a high ball to draw his side to within four points and they took the lead when Mason Caton-Brown went over from dummy half.

It then got worse for the home side as when Saints were harshly penalised for obstruction Johnstone took full advantage for his second.

Saints powered back with a score right out of the drop drawer – and it was the start of something special.

In the 65th minute, Lomax collected a bouncing ball on his line and managed to evade being caught in goal.

Saints then shifted it left and Grace stepped back inside to score his second.

Class and composure from the youngster.

It got better too as on the next set, LMS found Morgan Knowles with an offload and the back fed James Roby for his 101st in the red vee.

Saints scored their third when Taia slipped a tackle and showed great strength to go over.

It should have been all over when Percival intercepted to go under the sticks with two minutes to go – but it was called back for a strip in the tackle.

And Wakefield duly went up the other end of the field and scored in the corner through Reece Lyne.

It was a controversial one – the centre appearing to be in touch – but Liam Finn passed up the conversion attempt.

Wakefield then had 60 seconds to find a winner but Saints came up with the ball and maintained their winning run.

Match Summary:

Saints:
Tries: Grace (2), Lomax, Richardson, Roby, Taia
Goals: Richardson (5 from 7)

Trinity:
Tries: Johnstone (2), Hampshire, Miller, Caton-Brown, Lyne
Goals: Finn (3 from 5)

Penalties Awarded:
Saints: 4
Trinity: 9

HT: 20-6
FT: 34-30

REF: James Child

ATT: 10,008

Teams:

Saints:
23. Ben Barba; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 19. Regan Grace; 1. Jonny Lomax, 18. Danny Richardson; 14. Luke Douglas, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Dom Peyroux, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 6. Theo Fages, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Morgan Knowles, 20. Matty Lees,

Trinity:
25. Ryan Hampshire; 24. Mason Caton-Brown, 3. Bill Tupou, 4. Reece Lyne, 2. Tom Johnstone; 6. Jacob Miller, 7. Liam Finn; 10. Anthony England, 13. Tyler Randell, 8. David Fifita, 19. James Batchelor, 11. Matty Ashurst, 16. Tinirau Arona.
Subs: 9. Kyle Wood, 15. Pauli Pauli, 20. Keegan Hirst, 23. Chris Annakin.

Saints Line up

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

Wakefield Trinity Line up

1Ryan Hampshire
2Mason Caton-Brown
3Bill Tupou
4Reece Lyne
5Tom Johnstone
6Jacob Miller
7Liam Finn
8Anthony England
9Tyler Randell
10David Fifita
11James Batchelor
12Matty Ashurst
13Tinirau Arona
14Kyle Wood
15Pauli Pauli
16Keegan Hirst
17Chris Annakin

Last updated 29 Jun 18 21:46:08

FT

Saints have the ball back!

79'
Try
Reece Lyne for Wakefield Trinity

Adjudged to have put the ball down… that’s a controversial one! Saints have 44 seconds to defend as Finn passes up the kick.

79'

Now heading upstairs for an Lyne try in the corner…

Not given! Saints remain 34-26 up.

78'

Percy intercepts and goes under the posts but we’re heading upstairs.

Love Robes! Massive try @plattyphoto

74'

Saints lead 34-26

And now taia has slipped through a tackle and shows great strength to go over!

70'

Saints break again; they can’t convert it but win a drop out.

69'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson makes it 30-26

68'
Try
James Roby for Saints

Ball is kept alive and James Roby has steamed onto that one!

66'

Saints have a penalty.

What a try from Grace, pure class. Two point game. Saints 24 Wakefield 26 @plattyphoto

65'
Try
Regan Grace for Saints

Saints hit back! Lomax collects ball on his own line, is tackled, it then goes left to Percival and Grace cuts inside. What a try!

63'

Restart hits the deadball line – Wakefield have a penalty.

Finn his the post with his effort – Wakefield lead 26-20

60'
Try
Tom Johnstone for Wakefield Trinity

Seventh penalty heads the visitor’s way – and they take advantage, Johnstone nipping over from close range.

56'

Finn misses the conversion but Wakefield lead 22-20.

55'
Try
Mason Caton-Brown for Wakefield Trinity

Goes over from dummy half… Saints with it all to do.

55'

Barba knocks-on 20 out and Saints have some defending to do.

53'
Goal
Liam Finn for Wakefield Trinity

Finn makes it 20-18

51'
Try
Jacob Miller for Wakefield Trinity

It’s been all Wakefield since the restart and Miller has just collected a high ball to go over

48'

Wakefield called for a forward pass on Saints line.

46'

Saints stop Pauli Pauli on the last right on their line.

45'

Matty Lees hits Finn a little too late and Wakefield have a penalty in good territory.

44'

Finn makes it an eight point game at 20-12

43'
Try
Ryan Hampshire for Wakefield Trinity

Hampshire takes a pass and goes over – Wakefield back in it.

Saints will get the second half underway – they lead 20-6

39'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Saints lead 20-6

38'

Richardson cops a high shot right in front of the posts – he will take the two.

Great stuff from Richardson has Saints in charge 18-6 @plattyphoto

35'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Danny makes it 18-6

34'
Try
Danny Richardson for Saints

And it’s given, such improvisation to keep that one alive – and what a step from Danny too!

34'

Saints could have scored a right old try on the last tackle here – we’re heading upstairs to check for a knock on. Has to be at least 15 pairs of hands in this one.

31'

Taia penalised for a high shot – some bemused faces in the ground – but Wakefield hand the ball back with a knock-on

Benny B eyeing up a pass @plattyphoto

28'

Tommy Mak kicks a Wakefield chip dead – Saints will drop out but that was good defence from the England international

Lomax over to give Saints the lead @plattyphoto

26'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson makes it 12-6 to Saints.

25'
Try
Jonny Lomax for Saints

Sheer class on the last from Saints. Ball moved left, Barba finds Percival who cuts inside and feeds it to Lomax.

19'
Goal
Liam Finn for Wakefield Trinity

Finn levels it up 6-6

18'
Try
Tom Johnstone for Wakefield Trinity

Saints overplay on their own line – go for an offload that isn’t there and Johnstone pounces.

17'

High ball to the corner – Saints wrap up the danger and remain 6-0 up.

13th of the season for Grace – snapped by @plattyphoto

14'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson makes it 6-0

13'
Try
Regan Grace for Saints

Lovely move – Lomax to Barba.. miss out pass to Percival who puts his winger over.

11'

Miller takes the ball from Ryan Morgan but Saints get another set as it’s deemed it has gone forward.

11'

Ball back with Saints.

10'

But Wakefield lose the ball – and Regan goes 50 metres. Saints on the front foot.

8'

A rare dropped ball from Thompson gives Wakefield good position – Saints then give a penalty away right on their line.

6'

Makinson takes a chip over the top but Saints have to drop out.

4'

Great move sees Barba feed Grace but the winger can’t get the ball down in the corner. Let off for Wakefield.

4'

Grace goes 60 metres – and then earns a penalty. Saints in great position here

3'

Hampshire almost gets through then Saints wrap up Bill Tupou

1'

Wakefield get a penalty for a high shot.

Wakefield will get this one underway