Saints gain Catalans revenge after clinical display

Saints, missing eight first team starters, clinically dispatched Catalans Dragons at the Totally Wicked Stadium after a 50 points to 14 victory which saw Matty Costello grab his first career hat-trick.

Saints fell behind to an early Brayden Wiliame try but came storming back with first half tries from Adam Swift, Zeb Taia and Aaron Smith. Second half scores from the returning Theo Fages, Dom Peyroux, Jack Welsby and a hat-trick from Matty Costello secured another two points for Justin Holbrook’s men. Brayden Wiliame did grab a late second before Lewis Tierney scored a further late consolation.

Costello, Fages, Alex Walmsley, Taia and Peyroux all returned as Lachlan Coote, Jonny Lomax and James Roby were rested, whilst Tommy Makinson and Luke Thompson joined Mark Percival and Louie-McCarthy Scarsbrook missing out through injury. Morgan Knowles was suspended.

The game started with the visitors on top and within the opening minutes Catalans were in at the corner through Wiliame after a Matt Whitley pass out wide fed the winger for an early lead.

Saints hit back in the 10th minute after a neat kick through from Peyroux was then kicked on by Kevin Naiqama and  Swift was first to the ball to touch down.

Another try quickly followed when Fages put Taia through the gap with a short ball to score and give Saints a 10-6 lead with 20 minutes on the clock. Richardson adding the extras.

The impressive Aaron Smith grabbed Saints third try of the game after the hooker powered his way through the Dragons knocking over two Catalans defenders to score under the posts.

Catalans did get the last try of the first half after a flowing move on the right edge resulted in Wiliame scoring his second in the corner sending the teams in at half time with the score at Saints 16-10 Catalans.

Saints started the second half in a blistering fashion scoring three tries in the opening 12 minutes of the second half  thanks to tries from Fages, Peyroux and Costello.

Fages latched on to Richardson’s pass and he avoided the oncoming tackle to score in the corner, before Peyroux got on the score sheet after an excellent offload from Danny Richardson put Swift away down the line before stepping back inside the defender and finding an offload to Peyroux to go over.

Costello grabbed his first Saints try of the season after a flowing move from right to left allowed Fages to switch the play with a long ball to Taia, who put Costello in.

Catalans pulled a try back on the hour mark after a cut-out pass found Lewis Tierney in the corner.

That didn’t stop Saints as we were back on top and in again in a matter of minutes after Welsby latched onto a kick through and scored his second try in as many games.

Costello grabbed his second of the game after the centre through the dummy and crashed over before claiming his hat-trick, finishing off a excellent move in the corner as a young Saints go marching on again.

Match Summary

Saints

Starting 13: Jack Welsby, Adam Swift, Kevin Naiqama, Matty Costello, Regan Grace, Theo Fages, Danny Richardson, Alex Walmsley, Aaron Smith, Matty Lees, Zeb Taia, Dom Peyroux, Morgan Knowles, Joseph Paulo.

Interchanges: Kyle Amor, Jack Ashworth, James Bentley, Joe Batchelor.

Tries: Adam Swift (10) Zeb Taia (23) Aaron Smith (30) Theo Fages (44) Dominic Peyroux (51) Matty Costello (54,71,76) Jack Welsby (67)

Goals: Richardson 7 from 9.

Catalans

Starting 13: Tony Gigot, David Mead, Samisoni Langi, Brayden Wiliame, Lewis Tierney, Sam Tomkins, Matty Smith, Julian Bousquet, Alrix Da Costa, Sam Moa, Mickael Goudemand, Matt Whitley, Remi Casty.

Interchanges: Kenny Edwards, Mickael Simon, Jason Baitieri, Sam Kasiano.

Tries: Brayden Wiliame (4,36) Lewis Tierney (61).

Goals: Tomkins 1 from 3.

HT: 16-10

FT: 50-14

ATT: 11,268

Saints Line up

1 Jack Welsby
5 Regan Grace
21 Matthew Costello
3 Kevin Naiqama
18 Adam Swift
7 Theo Fages
7 Danny Richardson
8 Alex Walmsley
19 Aaron Smith
10 Matty Lees
11 Zeb Taia
12 Dominique Peyroux
18 Joseph Paulo
18 Kyle Amor
17 Jack Ashworth
12 James Bentley
12 Joe Batchelor

Catalans Dragons Line up

1Tony Gigot
2David Mead
3Samisoni Langi
4 Brayden Wiliame
5Lewis Tierney
6Sam Tomkins
7Matty Smith
8Julian Bousquet
9Alrix Da Costa
10Sam Moa
11Benjamin Jullien
12Matt Whitley
13Rémi Casty
14Kenny Edwards
15Mickael Simon
16Sam Kasiano
17Mickael Goudemand

Last updated 28 Apr 19 16:56:06

FULL TIME: ?⚪ SAINTS 50-14 DRAGONS ?

First half tries from Swift, Taia and Smith were added to by second half scores from Fages, Peyroux, Welsby and a hat-trick from Matty Costello! Wiliame (2) and Tierney with the tries for the visitors.

? @mattcostello24 celebrates his HAT-TRICK!

76'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson brings up the 50 points for Saints!

?⚪ SAINTS 50-14 DRAGONS ?

76'
Try
Matthew Costello for Saints

HAT-TRICK HERO COZZY! Costello goes over for his third try of the game in the corner! What a performance!

?⚪ SAINTS 48-14 DRAGONS ?

75'

Tomkins throws the ball into touch and that just about sums up the former Wigan man’s day. Again the West stand enjoyed that one…?

?⚪ SAINTS 44-14 DRAGONS ?

72'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Danny does the rest!

?⚪ SAINTS 44-14 DRAGONS ?

71'
Try
Matthew Costello for Saints

Costello grabs his second after Big Al’s offload and the 40 points is up! Well in, Cozzy!

?⚪ SAINTS 42-14 DRAGONS ?

69'

Big Al wins the penalty which results in Bentley’s pass rebounding off a Dragons player and the ball eventually finds its way to Amor who knocks on with the try line begging.

?⚪ SAINTS 38-14 DRAGONS ?

68'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson converts the extras!

?⚪ SAINTS 38-14 DRAGONS ?

67'
Try
Jack Welsby for Saints

A lovely kick through from Richardson is met by Welsby who grabs his second try in as many games. Well in, Jack!

?⚪ SAINTS 36-14 DRAGONS ?

65'

Swift hobbles off and Batchelor comes on as his replacement.

?⚪ SAINTS 32-14 DRAGONS ?

64'

Catalans kick over the top just evades Tierney as Naiqama does just enough to tip the ball dead and it’s a goal-line drop out.

?⚪ SAINTS 32-14 DRAGONS ?

62'

Tomkins misses the extras and the West stand liked that one…?

?⚪ SAINTS 32-14 DRAGONS ?

61'
Try
Lewis Tierney for Catalans Dragons

Lewis Tierney goes over in the corner as the visitors pull a try back.

?⚪ SAINTS 32-14 DRAGONS ?

? Aaron Smith has been hugely impressive today at hooker!

@plattyphoto

55'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson nails the kick from the far left!

?⚪ SAINTS 32-10 DRAGONS ?

54'
Try
Matthew Costello for Saints

And we are in again!!! Richardson is again involved and he feeds Fages who switches the play to the far left where Taia is in acres of space. He has the easy task of feeding Costello for his first try of the season!

?⚪ SAINTS 30-10 DRAGONS ?

52'

Richardson this time narrowly misses the extras, but we now have a healthy and impressive lead!

?⚪ SAINTS 26-10 DRAGONS ?

51'
Try
Dominique Peyroux for Saints

TRY TIMEEEE! Richardson with a lovely offload from the ground to Swift who swept back on the inside and offloaded mid-tackle to Peyroux who touches down. What a TRY!

?⚪ SAINTS 26-10 DRAGONS ?

49'

The ball then finds its way to our right side, but Swift can’t collect after the egg takes a horrible bounce and Catalans survive.

?⚪ SAINTS 22-10 DRAGONS ?

48'

We are nearly in again as Richardson feeds Peyroux who breaks through the line, but his pass on the inside to Paulo is touched by Gigot and Saints have the penalty for the knock on.

?⚪ SAINTS 22-10 DRAGONS ?

45'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

What a kick from Richardson who nails the kick from the left touchline!

?⚪ SAINTS 22-10 DRAGONS ?

44'
Try
Theo Fages for Saints

Theoooo! Richardson feeds Fages out to the left and the little French wizard scores in the corner! Get in!

?⚪ SAINTS 20-10 DRAGONS ?

43'

Richardson puts in a lovely grubber kick which Tomkins just about pushes into touch before Fages could touch down and it’s a goal-line drop out.

?⚪ SAINTS 16-10 DRAGONS ?

41'

We are back underway here at the Totally Wicked Stadium as Kyle Amor comes on for Lees and Ashworth wins an early penalty.

?⚪ SAINTS 16-10 DRAGONS ?

HALF-TIME: Saints fell behind after a try from Wiliame, but responded brilliantly thanks to scores from Swift, Taia and Smith. Wiliame did grab the last try of the first half, but we lead!

39'

Saints win a penalty as we approach the final seconds of the first half. Taia tries to play Grace in the corner as the hooter sounds only for Tierney to intercept, but Richardson does brilliantly to bring him down before he can break away and score.

?⚪ SAINTS 16-10 DRAGONS ?

38'

Tomkins misses the touchline kick…

?⚪ SAINTS 16-10 DRAGONS ?

36'
Try
Brayden Wiliame for Catalans Dragons

Brayden Wiliame scores in the corner after Smith’s ball to the right was palmed on by Langi.

?⚪ SAINTS 16-10 DRAGONS ?

36'

Kasiano is penalised for decent following a tackle with the impressive Smith, before the hooker unfortunately moments later, knocks on. Jinxed!

?⚪ SAINTS 16-6 DRAGONS ?

34'

Welsby picks the ball up and breaks through the Catalans line before feeding Swift out wide, but he loses the ball one-on-one and Catalans win the penalty and have a chance to score before half-time.

?⚪ SAINTS 16-6 DRAGONS ?

33'

At the other end, Swift catches Smith’s high kick cleanly and Saints keep the Dragons out.

?⚪ SAINTS 16-6 DRAGONS ?

30'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson kicks the extras to extend our lead!

?⚪ SAINTS 16-6 DRAGONS ?

30'
Try
Aaron Smith for Saints

Aaron Smithhhh! The hooker powers his way through the Dragons, knocking over two Catalans men to score under the sticks! There is a scuffle under the posts following the try which sees Paulo sent to the bin.

?⚪ SAINTS 14-6 DRAGONS ?

29'

Saints win the penalty now on half-way and we have a set here to extend our lead. Come on boys!

?⚪ SAINTS 10-6 DRAGONS ?

28'

Matty Lees thinks he has scored, but the referee calls a double movement and the Dragons survive as Jack Ashworth is on for Big Al!

?⚪ SAINTS 10-6 DRAGONS ?

27'

Tomkins kicks out on the full and sarcastic cheers ring around the Totally Wicked Stadium for the former Wigan man…

?⚪ SAINTS 10-6 DRAGONS ?

? Big @engywalmsley, captain today, with his powerful run earlier! ?

23'
Goal
Danny Richardson for Saints

Richardson easily adds the extras this time and we lead!

?⚪ SAINTS 10-6 DRAGONS ?

23'
Try
Zeb Taia for Saints

Zebbby! Get in! The ball finds its way to the left and Fages feeds Taia who scores easily under the sticks!

?⚪ SAINTS 8-6 DRAGONS ?

22'

Saints win a succession of penalties and we have a chance here with a set of six on the Dragons line.

?⚪ SAINTS 4-6 DRAGONS ?

19'

Tomkins is held up on the line, before Smith’s kick to the Saints right was dropped by Whitley under no pressure!

?⚪ SAINTS 4-6 DRAGONS ?

18'

Catalans win the penalty and Smith kicks to touch. A strong defensive set needed here boys!

?⚪ SAINTS 4-6 DRAGONS ?

18'

A high kick from Richardson sees Taia palm the ball back before the ball is shifted out to the left and after collecting Costello’s pass, Grace is forced into touch.

?⚪ SAINTS 4-6 DRAGONS ?

16'

Matty Smith’s high kick runs dead and Saints survive. Come on boys!

?⚪ SAINTS 4-6 DRAGONS ?

15'

Jack Welsby’s pass evades Naiqama and Catalans now have the ball in Saints’ half.

?⚪ SAINTS 4-6 DRAGONS ?

13'

Taia breaks through the Dragons line, but is eventually pulled down before a high kick from Richardson is grabbed at the second attempt by Tomkins and the visitors survive.

?⚪ SAINTS 4-6 DRAGONS ?

11'

Richardson misses the touchline kick, but we are back in this one!

?⚪ SAINTS 4-6 DRAGONS ?

10'
Try
Adam Swift for Saints

Swiftyyyy! Dom Peyroux puts a short kick through which is then kicked through again by Kev Naiqama and Swift is there to pounce in the corner! Get in!

?⚪ SAINTS 4-6 DRAGONS ?

10'

Kenny Edwards is on for Mead. Saints have the ball 10 meters out and have a chance to level this one up. COYS!

?⚪ SAINTS 0-6 DRAGONS ?

9'

Both medical departments are on the field here as Mead is still receiving treatment. Unfortunately it doesn’t look good for the Catalans winger.

?⚪ SAINTS 0-6 DRAGONS ?

9'

Theo Fages throws the ball out wide to Regan Grace who jumps with David Mead and both players collide in the air resulting in the Catalans man taking a nasty looking fall. The stretcher is on.

?⚪ SAINTS 0-6 DRAGONS ?

9'

Joseph Paulo put a neat grubber kick through, but Catalans grab the ball, before Saints win the penalty on half way and have a chance to respond here!

?⚪ SAINTS 0-6 DRAGONS ?

8'

WHAT A RUN FROM BIG AL! Walmsley powers through Whitley, knocks the forward over completely and is eventually stopped 10 metres out from the Catalans line. The crowd are up now!

?⚪ SAINTS 0-6 DRAGONS ?

5'
Goal
Sam Tomkins for Catalans Dragons

Tomkins kicks the extras and the visitors lead.

?⚪ SAINTS 0-6 DRAGONS ?

4'
Try
Brayden Wiliame for Catalans Dragons

Wiliame goes over in the far corner early after Matt Whitley’s pass out wide.

?⚪ SAINTS 0-4 DRAGONS ?

2'

Catalans win an early penalty and have the ball in Saints half.

?⚪ SAINTS 0-0 DRAGONS ?

GAME 2️⃣

KICK OFF: Referee Robert Hicks blows his whistle and we are off and under way here at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

?⚪ Saints 0-0 Dragons ?