Saints v Wakefield Trinity

Strong second half performance sees Saints maintain 100% record

Six second half tries saw Saints reclaim top spot in the Betfred Super League table after a double from Kevin Naiqama and Regan Grace, plus scores from James Bentley and Jack Welsby.

An uneventful first half saw defences on top at the Totally Wicked Stadium. After an end to end first 15 minutes Wakefield came closest to opening the scoring, but some good defending from the reigning champions held Trinity up one metre short of the line.

James Bentley was sinbinned shortly after, as he conceded a penalty before getting the card for slowing down the ruck before Tommy Makinson looked to have opened the scoring for Saints seven minutes before half-time, but the try was ruled out as the touch judge said the winger had gone into touch.

Saints came out with a point to prove early on in the second half, scoring from their opening set. A kick from Lachlan Coote forced an error from Trinity. From the error the ball was thrown from left to right before it arrived in the arms of Kevin Naiqama and he forced his way over from close range to give the hosts the lead. Makinson adding the extras from the right touchline to make it 6-0.

It wasn’t long before we added our second try. A great break down the middle from Jack Welsby saw the impressive youngster offload the ball to Theo Fages. The Frenchman then found James Bentley on his outside and the young second rower avoided a tackle before scoring next to the sticks. Makinson added the extras once again to make it 12-0.

Two minutes later Saints came close to extending their lead. Firstly Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook was held up before Kyler Amor was held up underneath the sticks as well. We weren’t to be denied for much longer though as from that set Saints forced a dropout and on the last Jonny Lomax kicked low towards the left corner and Welsby won the race to score our third try of the game. Makinson added the extras from the left touchline.

A fourth try followed in the 63rd minute. Saints went down the short side on the last and Welsby’s kick was touched down by Regan Grace in the left corner. Makinson once again adding the extra two from the left touchline.

Seven minutes later Jonny Lomax found Naiqama on the wing, and the Fijian international ran 30 meters as he scored his second try of the game in the right corner. Lewis Dodd took over kicking duties with Makinson off the field, but his first attempt of the game hit the post.

Regan Grace then got his second of the game two minutes later with the try of the game. A great offload from Agnatius Paasi found Dodd and the young halfback fed Welsby who then found the Welsh winger and he finished well to the left of the sticks. Dodd added the extras.

The visitors did get a response late on, after a short pass near the Saints line allowed Jay Pitts to walk through and score. Mason Lino added the extra two, but it was Kristian Woolf’s men who came away with the comfortable two points in the end.

Match Summary:

Saints 13: Lachlan Coote, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Jack Welsby, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Agnatius Paasi, Joel Thompson, James Bentley, Joe Batchelor.

Interchanges: Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Kyle Amor, Lewis Dodd, Jake Wingfield.

Tries: Kevin Naiqama (42, 70), James Bentley (47), Jack Welsby (53), Regan Grace (63, 73)

Conversions: Tommy Makinson (4 from 4), Lewis Dodd (1 from 2)

Sin Bin: James Bentley (17)

Wakefield 13: Ryan Hampshire, Innes Senior, Reece Lyne, Joe Arundel, Lee Kershaw, Jacob Miller, Mason Lino, David Fifita, Jordan Crowther, Tinirau Arona, James Batchelor, Jay Pitts, Joe Westerman.

Interchanges: Kyle Wood, Chris Green, Eddie Battye, Brad Walker.

Tries: Jay Pitts (75)

Conversions: Mason Lino (1 from 2)

Half time: 0-0

Full time: 34-6

Referee: James Child