Saints » Results

Saints clocked up their 20^th win in a row as they ground out a 40-22 win against Huddersfield at the Galpharm.

In excellent conditions for Rugby League, both sides struggled to find their usual rhythm in a game peppered with several handling errors.

But, as inexperienced in first grade as some of the Saints were, they showed glimpses of real quality in the first half taking all three chances on offer to lead 18-6.

Cunningham, Talau and Eastmond all crossed as Saints aimed to put distance between themselves and Leeds at the top of Super League.

But two Huddersfield tries early in the second half had them on the rack before Paul Sculthorpe set up a try for Chris Flannery with a pearler of a pass.

A 60-yard effort from Dean McGilvray – his first for the club – and Eastmond’s second then sealed the win.

Pre game, it was all change for Saints as with one eye on the Cup Final, several players with knocks and injuries were rested. It meant a major reshuffle in the 17 with seven first team players unable to take the field.

Kyle Eastmond came in for Paul Wellens, Gary Wheeler made his Super League debut at stand off for Leon Pryce, Paul Sculthorpe returned to the side and 20-year-old Dean McGilvray started on the wing.

Bryn Hargreaves took on the loose forward role and Nick Fozzard started at prop.

On the bench were Francis Meli and Sam Thompson alongside Paul Clough and James Graham.

Huddersfield recalled Keith Mason to face his old club and there was a place on the bench for new signing David Faiumu.

And the Giants got off to the greatest possible start when in the third minute on the last tackle, the home side scored - ironically following some great chasing from the Saints.

After not being able to set themselves up for a clearing kick, the ball ended up with Earl Crabtree who harmlessly chipped forward with the outside of his boot.

But the bounce evaded Sean Long and Paul Whatuira picked up to feed Stuart Jones for the score – although the pass was at least half a yard forward.

Thorman with the extras.

It took Saints just five minutes to respond.

After two penalties, Paul Sculthorpe set up the attack and in prime Keiron Cunningham territory, the big number nine bulldozed his way over for his eighth of the season. Long tying it up with the boot.

Saints’ second score was somewhat fortuitous. James Graham piled down the middle and a ferocious tackle dislodged the ball straight into the hands of Bryn Hargreaves.

From there, on the last, Long took on the defence and managed to squeeze out a nice ball to Talau who went over. Long extended Saints’ lead further with the boot.

Huddersfield came up with the ball from the restart as a long kick to touch evaded Ade Gardner. But some great tackling – especially James Graham on the last – stopped any chance of a score.

The Giants certainly weren’t afraid to throw the ball around, and were at times finding gaps in Saints’ defence. But Saints were proving tough to crack especially on that crucial final pass.

Eastmond was the next to benefit from some lapse play from the Giants. In Saints’ half the ball was spilt and the young fullback got Saints rolling forward. Later in the tackle count, Long seemed to lose the ball, but Thaler waved play on and Wheeler took it forward, getting it over to Kyle who popped over. Long 100 per cent with the conversion once more.

With 13 minutes to go Huddersfield gained a penalty in Saints’ half and from the tap the ball went through several pairs of hands to Elford who was expertly bundled into touch by Gardner and Sean Long who had tracked the winger’s run.

And close to the stroke of half time, Hodgson was held up on his back in a wonderful try saving tackle from Eastmond and Wheeler.

Half Time: Huddersfield 6 Saints 18

In the second 40, Kyle moved up to scrum half as Francis Meli came on for Sean Long and went to full back.

And two minutes in, Huddersfield were back on the scoresheet.

On the last tackle, Chris Thorman almost broke through then Robinson tested Saints with a high ball.

Shane Elford managed to out jump Ade Gardner and tip the ball back nicely into the hands of Whatuira who had the simple task of putting down. Thorman wide with the extras.

Whatuira then took advantage of a dropped ball in Saints’ own 20 to storm over for his second – Thorman making it a two point game with the boot.

The comeback didn’t last long though as a superb Paul Sculthorpe inspired Chris Flannery try restored their lead. On the last tackle, Cunningham got the ball to Sculthorpe who twisted around, fired out a beautiful back pass for Flannery to do the rest. Eastmond with the extras.

Gilmour nearly added another seconds later, but Huddersfield just got a hand on Kyle Eastmond’s set up pass. With another set of six on the Giants’ line, the ball went left but Talau was just bundled into touch.

Moments later, Dean McGilvray flew in from 60 yards to extend Saints’ lead.

And with less than ten minutes to go, Kyle added two penalties to make it 34-16.

Danny Kirmond pulled back a consolation with five minutes to go; the young substitute going over with an excellent jinking run. Thorman making it a six-pointer.

Ade Gardner was unlucky at the death when a Francis Meli chip through was just too long and then Kyle Eastmond stretch over to bring the biggest shout from the away faithful.

Win number 20 notched up and now the build up to the Cup Final!

"It looks like Jason Cayless will miss Wembley with knee ligament damage," Saints' Head Coach Daniel Anderson confirmed after the game."It looks like it is the same knee the operation was on and is obviously a blow for us.

"We've had a wretched season in the front row - between JC, Foz and Maurie they must have missed a combined 50 games.

"I took Long off at half time to give him a rest for next week and I was pleased Scully came through a full 80 minutes. He is a big person in this part of the world and I think he deserves the opportunity to play in a big game this season."

He added: "I thought Kyle was the best player on the field today. I have given it to him this year but I have to say I was pleased with his performance. He's likely to be in the 19 next week."

Match Summary

Huddersfield:

Tries: Jones, Whatuira (2), Kirmond

Goals: Thorman (3 from 4)

Saints:

Tries: Cunningham, Talau, Eastmond (2), Flannery, McGilvray

Goals: Long (3 from 3), Eastmond (5 from 5)

Penalties:

Huddersfield: 5

Saints: 5

HT (Sts First): 18-6

FT (Sts First): 40-22

REF: Ben Thaler

ATT: 6150

Teams:

Huddersfield:

5. David Hodgson; 2. Martin Aspinwall, 6. Kevin Brown, 4. Paul Whatuira, 3. Shane Elford; 1. Chris Thorman, 7. Luke Robinson; 8. Eorl Crabtree, 19. Ryan Hudson, 16. Keith Mason, 14. Stuart Jones, 11. Jamahl Lolesi, 13. Stephen Wild.

Subs: 12. Andy Raleigh, 18. Darrell Griffin, 28. Danny Kirmond, 29. David Faiumu.

Saints:

24. Kyle Eastmond; 2. Ade Gardner, 11. Lee Gilmour, 4. Willie Talau, 28. Dean McGilvray; 25. Gary Wheeler, 7. Sean Long; 8. Nick Fozzard, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 10. Jason Cayless, 16. Chris Flannery, 13. Paul Sculthorpe, 18. Bryn Hargreaves.

Subs: 5. Francis Meli, 17. James Graham, 21. Paul Clough, 29. Sam Thompson.