Saints return to winning ways after victory over Castleford

Saints returned to winning ways with a hard fought 20-12 victory over Castleford Tigers at the Totally Wicked Stadium in front of the Channel 4 cameras.

Saints knew we had to start well following last week’s defeat and we did just that as Curtis Sironen, starting today despite a bicep injury, took three Tigers defenders with him and powered over following a Jonny Lomax short ball. Makinson converted and we led 6-0 after just four minutes.

Cas looked to hit straight back, but Dan Hill did brilliantly to pounce on Gareth O’Brien’s grubber and save a certain try.

And that hard worked paid off on 16 minutes as a short ball from Jack Welsby allowed Morgan Knowles to swivel in the tackle and get the ball down to the left of the sticks. Makinson made no mistake, 12-0 we led.

Liam Watts was then sent to the bin for a late shot on Jonny Lomax. Makinson had a chance to slot a penalty over, but his kick went wide.

The Tigers pushed to get back in the game, but the Saints defence was on form and kept them at bay.

Saints won back-to-back penalties at the start of the second half and Makinson slotted over another two from right in front to extend our lead. 14-0 we led.

Batchelor got on the scoresheet on the 54th minute after a lovely reversed grubber from Lomax found him racing through. It went upstairs and the try was given. Makinson added the two from right in front. 20-0.

Cas hit back on 64 minutes as successive penalties resulted in Bureta Faraimo powering his way over Welsby and Hill to go over in the corner. Richardson missed the kick. 20-4.

The visitors had the momentum and five minutes later Faraimo grabbed his second as he powered over Hill in the corner. Richardson again missed the conversion attempt. 20-8.

With five minutes to go, Faraimo grabbed his hat-trick in the same corner again as the Tigers worked the ball to the right and the powerful winger went over Davies to get it down. McShane this time took up kicking duties, but his kick was wide. 20-12.

That would be the final score of the game as Saints returned to winning ways.

Match Summary

Saints Team: Jon Bennison, Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Ben Davies, Dan Hill, Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Joe Batchelor, Curtis Sironen, Morgan Knowles.

Interchanges: Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Jake Wingfield, James Bell.

Tries: Sironen (4), Knowles (16), Batchelor (54)

Conversions: Makinson 3 from 3

Penalties: Makinson 1 from 2

Castleford Team: Greg Eden, Derrell Olpherts, Mahe Fonua, Bureta Faraimo, Gareth O’Brien, Danny Richardson, Liam Watts, Paul Mcshane, George Griffin, Kenny Edwards, Alex Mellor, Joe Westerman.

Interchanges: Alex Sutcliffe, Suaia Matagi, Brad Martin, Sosaia Feki.

Tries: Faraimo (64), (68), (77).

Conversions: Richardson 0 from 2, McShane 0 from 1.

HT: 12-0

FT: 20-12.

Attendance: 10144

Saints Line up

5 Jonathan Bennison
2 Tommy Makinson
23 Konrad Hurrell
21 Ben Davies
26 Dan Hill
1 Jack Welsby
6 Jonny Lomax
8 Alex Walmsley
James Roby
10 Matty Lees
16 Curtis Sironen
12 Joe Batchelor
13 Morgan Knowles
14 Joey Lussick
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
18 Jake Wingfield
15 James Bell

Castleford Tigers Line up

1Greg Eden
2Bureta Faraimo
3Cheyse Blair
4Mahe Fonua
5Derrell Olpherts
6Gareth O'Brien
7Danny Richardson
8Liam Watts
9Paul McShane
10George Griffin
11Kenny Edwards
12Alex Mellor
13Joe Westerman
14Alex Sutcliffe
15Suaia Matagi
16Brad Martin
17Sosaia Feki

Last updated 7 Aug 22 15:00:14

80'

FT: 🔴⚪ Saints 20-12 Tigers 🐯

Two points in the bag!

#COYS

79'

Cas push for another, but the grubber kick finds touch as we head into the final minute.

🔴⚪ Saints 20-12 Tigers 🐯

77'

McShane this time goes for the two, but again the conversion is wide.

🔴⚪ Saints 20-12 Tigers 🐯

77'
Try
Bureta Faraimo for Castleford Tigers

Faraimo grabs his hat-trick in the corner again.

🔴⚪ Saints 20-12 Tigers 🐯

75'

CHANCE! We work the ball to the right, but Makinson can’t keep hold of Bennison’s pass with the try line begging.

🔴⚪ Saints 20-8 Tigers 🐯

73'

We have it back a Hurrell powers towards the line, but is held up just short.

🔴⚪ Saints 20-8 Tigers 🐯

69'

Richardson’s kick is again wide. Roby is back on for Hill. Davies goes to the wing and Welsby drops in at centre.

🔴⚪ Saints 20-8 Tigers 🐯

68'
Try
Bureta Faraimo for Castleford Tigers

Cas build pressure again and Faraimo goes over again in the corner. Kick to come.

🔴⚪ Saints 20-8 Tigers 🐯

65'

Richardson’s kick drifts wide.

🔴⚪ Saints 20-4 Tigers 🐯

64'
Try
Bureta Faraimo for Castleford Tigers

Faraimo goes over for Castleford in the corner.

🔴⚪ Saints 20-4 Tigers 🐯

YES BATCH!

62'

Richardson kicks a 40-20.

🔴⚪ Saints 20-0 Tigers 🐯

61'

Hurrell tries to find Makinson out wide, but his pass finds touch rather than his hands…

🔴⚪ Saints 20-0 Tigers 🐯

61'

Knowles is back on for Wingfield as Saints win a penalty…

🔴⚪ Saints 20-0 Tigers 🐯

55'
Goal
Tommy Makinson for Saints

Makinson adds the two!

🔴⚪ Saints 20-0 Tigers 🐯

54'
Try
Joe Batchelor for Saints

BATCHHHHHHHHHHH!! A lovely reversed grubber kick from Lomax who is again he architect, is latched upon by Waka Waka Joe Batch! It goes upstairs and it’s given.

🔴⚪ Saints 18-0 Tigers 🐯

53'

Cas are caught offside, Lussick kicks for touch and we have a chance here…

🔴⚪ Saints 14-0 Tigers 🐯

50'

Great defence from the Saints again force the Castleford knock on!

🔴⚪ Saints 14-0 Tigers 🐯

49'

The Tigers win another penalty…

🔴⚪ Saints 14-0 Tigers 🐯

48'
Yellow Card
Curtis Sironen for Saints

Sironen is sent to the bin for a high shot.

🔴⚪ Saints 14-0 Tigers 🐯

47'

Bennison knocks on, via a Cas hand in at the play-the-ball, and the Tigers are awarded the penalty and have a set on our line…

🔴⚪ Saints 14-0 Tigers 🐯

44'
Goal
Tommy Makinson for Saints

Makinson does add the two to extend our lead.

🔴⚪ Saints 14-0 Tigers 🐯

43'

Saints win back-to-back penalties and the latter is right in front. Makinson will go for the two…

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

41'

We are back underway. Jack Welsby is back on after his head assessment as Captain Robes takes a breather.

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

40'

HT: 🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

So far, so good for Saints!

#COYS

39'

Bennison breaks through and looks to grubber for the supporting Hill on the left edge, but he can’t keep hold as Richardson tracks back.

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

37'

Lomax puts the kick up towards Makinson who leaps highest, but can’t hold on and get it down.

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

36'

Welsby is off for a head assessment as Joey Lussick comes on. Roby will move to the halves and Lussick will slot in at hooker.

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

YES MORGZ!

34'

Super Saints defence keeps Cas at bay as the West stand find their voice!!

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

32'

Jake Wingfield and James Bell are on for Matty Lees and Morgan Knowles as Hurrell knocks on at the play-the-ball. Time to defend, Saints!

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

31'

Cas have a chance as again they work the ball to our left side, but Faraimo can’t keep hold of Richardson’s pass.

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

29'

We move the ball to our left, but Davies can’t keep hold and Cas survive…

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

28'

Cas go for a short kick, but Makinson leaps highest and grabs the ball and we are back on the attack!

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

27'

LMS is on for Big Al as Knowles clatters two Tigers defenders!

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

Keep pushing, lads!

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

21'

Makinson misses the kick.

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

20'
Yellow Card
Liam Watts for Castleford Tigers

Watts is sent to the bin after a late hit on Jonny Lomax. Makinson will go for the two…

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

19'

Makinson does what he does best and brings the ball out of the back with real purpose before winning a penalty for a high shot.

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

Siro with his second Saints try set us on our way!

17'
Goal
Tommy Makinson for Saints

Makinson adds the two!

🔴⚪ Saints 12-0 Tigers 🐯

16'
Try
Morgan Knowles for Saints

MORGZZZ!! Super Jack finds the on-rushing Morgan Knowles with a short ball and he swivels and gets the ball down!

🔴⚪ Saints 10-0 Tigers 🐯

10'

A 40-20 from Jonny Lomax sets up another Saints attack, but Alex Walmsley’s offload can’t find a Saint and the Tigers come away with it…

🔴⚪ Saints 6-0 Tigers 🐯

8'

GREAT DEFENCE! Cas look to hit straight back as they move the ball to our left, but Dan Hill did brilliantly to pounce on O’Brien’s kick and prevent a certain try!

🔴⚪ Saints 6-0 Tigers 🐯

5'
Goal
Tommy Makinson for Saints

Makinson, on his return to the side, slots over the two and it’s the perfect start!

🔴⚪ Saints 6-0 Tigers 🐯

4'
Try
Curtis Sironen for Saints

SIROOOOOOOOOOO!!! A short ball finds its way to Curtis Sironen and he takes three Tigers defenders with him and powers over! GET IN!

🔴⚪ Saints 4-0 Tigers 🐯

3'

A solid start from Saints as we force the Castleford knock on at the play the ball in their own half…An early chance here!

🔴⚪ Saints 0-0 Tigers 🐯

1'

We are off and underway here at the Totally Wicked Stadium – live on Channel 4!

#COYS

Let’s go boys!

#COYS

The Mak is BACK!

Head over to our social media accounts to hear a pre-match word from the boss!

Tommy Makinson starts as does Curtis Sironen who comes in from the off despite being an injury doubt. Dan Hill also gets a start on the wing.

Paasi misses out due to the concussion protocols.

Team news is up next…

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