St Helens 20-4 Wakefield: Saints maintain unbeaten start-talking points
St Helens made it three wins from three to start the season after beating Wakefield Trinity 20-4 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
A double from Mark Percival and another from James Roby was the reward to a strong end to the first half for the Saints. Tom Johnstone replied for Wakefield.
The only try of the second half was scored by Josh Simm, his third try in his last two games.
Match Report
It was a very even opening, with defences very much on top for both sides in the early stages. However, Wakefield were dealt a blow after 13 minutes, with Tom Lineham hobbling off for the visitors.
Just a minute later, St Helens struck. They worked the ball out to the left-hand side and Mark Percival managed to get over for the hosts. Tommy Makinson could not add the extras, meaning Saints’ lead stood at four points.
Saints almost doubled that lead on the 25-minute mark, but the try from Makinson was called back for an obstruction in the build up.
However, they would not be denied soon after. Wakefield coughed up possession inside their own half giving Saints the ball back. They were then able to get close, before James Roby scooted out of dummy half and got over. Makinson was on target this time with the conversion as Saints hit double figures.
It was soon two tries in the space of a couple of minutes for Saints. Makinson got free down the left-hand side and kicked inside for Percival to get his second of the night. Makinson grabbed his second conversion of the night.
Wakefield were able to get themselves on the board just before the break. Tom Johnstone was able to get to a kick ahead of Josh Simm and score in the corner. Max Jowitt’s conversion attempt hit the post.
HT- St Helens 16-4 Wakefield
The second half started in relatively scrappy fashion, with both sides guilty of making mistakes or coughing up possession in good areas.
Indiscipline was starting to creep into Saints’ game in the second half. They would instantly diffuse the pressure they were putting on Wakefield by giving a penalty away.
Finally, just past the hour mark, the first points of the second half came the way of St Helens. They worked it well out to the right-hand side and Simm got over in the corner to get Saints up to 20 points. Makinson could not add the conversion from out wide.
Wakefield then shot themselves in the foot late on as David Fifita sat out the final three minutes. He was sent to the sin bin for a late hit on Lewis Dodd.
Both sides would end the match with 12 men. Curtis Sironen was sin binned for the Saints after a high tackle a minute later.
St Helens will hope to maintain their perfect start when they travel to Hull KR next Friday. Meanwhile, Wakefield host Leeds on Thursday.
Team News
St Helens: Welsby, Simm, Hurrell, Percival, Makinson, Lomax, Dodd, Walmsley, Roby, Lees, Mata’utia, Batchelor, Knowles. Subs: Lussick, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Sironen, Paasi.
T: Percival (2), Roby, Simm
G: Makinson 2/4
Wakefield: Jowitt, Johnstone, Hall, Minns, Lineham, Miller, Walker, Fifita, Bowes, Arona, Ashurst, Pitts, Crowther. Subs: Battye, Whitbread, Batchelor, Kay.
T: Johnstone
G: Jowitt 0/1
Talking Points
St Helens show a different side
In a game where they were not quite at their free-flowing best, they were still able to get then job done against a fearless Wakefield side. Especially in the second half when they were getting pinned down, they were able to
Off-the-cuff Wakefield
Wakefield were certainly not afraid to chance their arm at the home of the champions. Even when they were in their own half, and well into their tackle count, they continued to throw it around and did cause Saints problems, particularly on Tom Johnstone’s wing.
Another good shift from Joey Lussick
With Saints camped in their own half after a period of Wakefield pressure, he managed to pump a 60-metre kick up the field to turn Wakefield around. This got Saints back up the pitch and got their first try of the second half just past the hour mark.
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