Saints » Results

Saints ensured they kept up the pressure on Leeds Rhinos with what turned out to be a relatively comfortable victory over Bradford Bulls.

After weathering some early pressure and two Bradford tries, Saints battled back to lead 22-14 at half time, then kick on and win 58-20.

Tries from Maurie Fa’asavalu, Jon Wilkin, Ste Tyrer and James Graham ensured Saints led at half time, before Wilkin, James Roby and Leon Pryce as well as a hat trick from Bryn Hargreaves, sealed victory.

Saints made a couple of enforced changes from last week’s winning side. Ste Tyrer came in for Matt Gidley, who tweaked his groin in training, and Bryn Hargreaves started in place of the injured Jason Cayless.

Lee Gilmour was welcomed back, with Sam Thompson making his engage Super League debut off the bench.

Sam Burgess was missing with a shoulder injury for Bradford, whilst Sykes and Jefferies took the half back role, with Iestyn Harris named as hooker.

On Saints’ first set Long put in a tricky kick for Dave Halley to take.

On Bradford’s first set they gained a penalty, then went close through Halley before the Saints held out.

Despite being short of numbers, Bradford were making yards on every set of six, using the weight of their colossal pack to barge through. And it was no surprise when Semi Tadulala notched up a score in the corner thanks to some good hands. Harris short with the extras.

From the kick off, Saints won a set of six when the ball was taken on the dead ball line by the Bulls but couldn’t find a way over the line from the drop out.

Moments later, Saints had three sets on the Bulls’ line thanks to their opposition’s indiscretions, but couldn’t find a way through.

And the Bulls hit them again on their next break – Sykes twisting his way over under heavy pressure. Harris high and wide with the extras.

15 minutes in and Saints were eight down.

Maurie came on for Bryn after 20 minutes to add extra impetus to the Saints’ attack. He immediately ploughed down the middle and put Saints on the charge. Seconds later, he took the ball in hard, and whilst on his back, twisted around and put the ball down to close the scoreline. Long made it a six pointer.

Leon Pryce very nearly put Saints ahead moments later, but he just couldn’t squeeze his pass into Wilkin’s hands close to the line.

Once again, Bradford went up the other end of the field and looked set to have increased their lead. And after some lengthy deliberations by the video referee, Iestyn Harris was adjudged to have got the ball down under the sticks. Sykes adding the extras.

Saints needed something big and quickly and they got it. The ball was pinged from right to left and into the hands of Jon Wilkin who made no mistake with the line at his mercy. Long pulling the Saints back to within two with the kick.

It was a timely score as another one from the Bulls would have put Saints winning streak in danger.

And then Tyrer ensured Saints would head into half time leading after a piece of opportunism from Wellens. Long kicked the ball high on the last tackle; Wellens taking it out of the hands of Platt. From there it quickly went to Sculthorpe and to the young centre who made no mistake despite having Tadulala in front of him – a nifty sidestep taking him into the corner.

Saints then pulled out another corker when Sean Long fired a cut out pass for James Graham to go over – knocking James Evans flying with a solid hand off on his way. Long adding his third of the night to stretch the home side’s lead.

Half Time: Saints 22 Bradford 14

Into the second half, Saints immediately had Bradford under pressure as Platt was tackled in goal. From the drop out, Saints got within inches but were adjudged to have knocked on when really they probably deserved an extra set because of a Bradford hand.

Moments later, Wellens placed a nice kick through into the corner that Meli was inches away from touching down.

Sean Long then stopped a certain try from Michael Platt.

Saints’ next score was right out of the top drawer. Wellens juggled a kick on his own try line and then stormed to the 20 metre line.

The ball was worked left – through Leon Pryce who opened up a gap – and to Wilkin who finished it off from 40 metres out. Long continuing his form with the boot.

Bradford hit back through Halley who latched onto a nice ball to race away from the covering defence. Sykes adding the two points.

But immediately Saints restored their advantage when Bryn Hargreaves finished off a move started by Leon Pryce. Long with the extras. Bryn scoring his first try for the club.

On 62 minutes, Simon Finnigan was sin binned for persistent offside and lying on – but he wasn’t he only one, and from the tap the now prolific Hargreaves went over once more. Long again perfect.

Further scores from Roby and Pryce (with conversions from Long) and Bryn’s hat trick ended a comfortable and good night’s work from the Saints.

Daniel Anderson said: “In the first 25 to 30 minutes I thought we were off the pace. That showed as we were on our heels and there was a lack of movement.

“Then we scored some nice tries and showed far more urgency in the second half.

“Leon was excellent throughout the game as he has been all season and I was glad for Bryn as he is a hard worker who is always in those positions but never gets lucky. How often does a front row forward score a hat trick!”

Match Summary

Saints:

Tries: Fa’asavalu, Wilkin (2), Tyrer, Graham, Hargreaves (3), Roby, Pryce

Goals: Long (9 from 10)

Bradford:

Tries: Tadulala, Sykes, Harris, Halley

Goals: Harris (0 from 2), Sykes (2 from 2)

Penalties:

Saints: 19

Bradford: 5

HT (Sts First): 22-14

FT (Sts First): 58-20

REF: Richard Silverwood

ATT: 9,009

MOM: Jon Wilkin

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 4. Willie Talau, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 17. James Graham, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 11. Lee Gilmour, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Paul Sculthorpe.

Subs: 14. James Roby, 21. Paul Clough, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu, 29. Sam Thompson.

Bradford:

1. Michael Platt; 2. Dave Halley, 3. James Evans, 4. Shontayne Hape, 25. Semi Tadulala; 24. Paul Sykes, 22. Ben Jeffries; 8. Joe Vagana, 6. Iestyn Harris, 18. Craig Kopczak, 11. David Solomona, 19. Simon Finnigan, 13. Jamie Langley.

Subs: 14. Chris Feather, 15. Matt Cook, 17. Matt James, 30. Keal Carlile.