Saints v Widnes Vikings

Adam Swift bagged a hat-trick as Saints beat Widnes 36-6.

The winger returned to the line-up for the first time since May to help his side record their 11th win on the bounce.

And in all honesty, he could have had five.

Saints opened the scoring when Zeb Taia followed up James Roby’s barnstorming run for his eighth of the season.

The hooker ghosted through the line, hit the duke button and then span round to produce a fine offload.

By the 12th minute Saints had increased their lead.

Jonny Lomax was the kingpin this time, making a fine break before the ball made its away to Jon Wilkin, Theo Fages and Taia for Mark Percival to cross in the corner.

And just after the 20 minute mark Swift was collecting a looping pass for 14-0.

Dom Peyroux producing a great offload for Richardson to send the ball over.

Fages was unlucky not to score from LMS’ offload as the half entered its final stages – but with three minutes to go Luke Douglas hit Louie with a sensational pass for him to steam over.

Richardson making it 20-0 at the break.

That lead was reduced within the first couple of minutes of the second half as Danny Craven took a ball at pace.

But normal service was resumed with a try right out of the top drawer.

On the last Lomax backed himself, darted through a gap on the left and then turned it back inside for Fages to go under the sticks.

And on the hour mark, Swift got his second thanks to a sweeping move that went left to right – the finish right out of the Tommy Makinson school too.

He could have had a hat-trick on freeplay moments later and then Kyle Amor went close in the 69th minute.

Fages had one chalked off as the game entered its final stages too but a long pass from Richardson saw Swift grab a deserved third.

Match Summary:

Saints:
Tries: Taia, Percival, Swift (3), LMS, Fages
Goals: Richardson (4 from 7)

Vikings:
Tries: Craven
Goals: Inu (1 from 1)

Penalties Awarded:
Saints: 9
Vikings: 8

HT: 20-0
FT: 36-6

REF: Scott Mikalauskas

ATT: 9,923

Teams:

Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax: 5. Adam Swift, 30. Matty Costello, 4. Mark Percival, 19. Regan Grace; 6. Theo Fages, 18. Danny Richardson; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Dom Peyroux, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Luke Douglas, 15. Morgan Knowles, 20. Matty Lees.

Vikings:
1. Rhys Hanbury; 2. Stefan Marsh, 4. Charly Runciman, 3. Krisnan Inu, 40. Owen Buckley; 6. Joe Mellor, 15. Danny Craven; 25. Jay Chapelhow, 33. Aaron Heremaia, 8. Gil Dudson, 17. Sam Wilde, 39. Weller Hauraki, 10. Alex Gerrard.
Subs: 12. Matt Whitley, 16. Tom Olbison, 20. Macgraff Leuluai, 23. Danny Walker.