Swift and Saints strike down Catalans

St Helens have tightened their grip on the final play-off place with an impressive 39-16 victory against Catalan at Langtree Park.

Saints have now won their last seven matches since losing to the Dragons back in June.

Dave Taylor got the Catalans off the mark in the seventh minute, taking Eloi Pelissier’s pass before spinning across.

Saints responded thanks to a great run by Mark Percival which was rounded off by Adam Swift. Percival couldn’t convert which meant the Dragons still had a two-point lead.

Percival and Swift combined once again to put the home side ahead following a raking cross-field pass from Luke Walsh.

The home side were reduced to 12 men towards the end of the first half, Walsh escaping with a yellow card despite a horror challenge on Anderson.

The Dragons made the numerical advantage count, Jason Baitieri diving over after Anderson’s offload.

Swift scored his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time after a brilliant kick from Jordan Turner to ensure the Saints had the lead going into the interval.

Two penalties from Walsh early in the second half increased the margin between the two sides to eight points.

Swift continued to put further distance between the two sides, acrobatically diving over following Morgan Knowles’ pass.

The Dragons continued to slip further behind after a drop goal from Luke Walsh going into the final quarter of the match.

Vincent Duport started what might be a late comeback, taking Taylor’s pass before touching down in the 67th minute.

Jack Owens had other ideas though, taking a brilliant kick from Walsh before diving over.

Jon Wilkin picked out Joe Greenwood, who added his name to the scoresheet with four minutes left to play.