St Helens (24) 30
Tries: Gilmour, Wellens, Puletua, Gidley, Dean Goals: Long 5
Celtic Crusaders (0) 0
 Pryce played a big part in Saints' victory over the Crusaders |
St Helens cruised to a comfortable victory over bottom-of-the-table Celtic Crusaders to strengthen their grip on top spot in the Super League table. The match was effectively over by half-time as St Helens ran in four tries through Lee Gilmour, Paul Wellens, Tony Puleta and Matt Gidley. The Crusaders frustrated Saints for much of a scrappy second half, and could not be faulted for endeavour. But Chris Dean confirmed St Helens' superiority with a try on 74 minutes. The Saints put on a first class master-class to essentially put the game beyond a spirited but under-strength Crusaders side before half time. Forward Leon Pryce was pivotal in the opening two scores for the home side, collected Sean Long's rapier-like pass and producing a smart offload to send Gilmour powering clear from 10 metres out before breaking the visitors' line and sending Wellens scampering over to score on the overlap.  | 606: DEBATE |
James Roby and Long combined to tee up Puletua to power his way over the line later in the half and then Gidley found the space to squeeze in at the corner for a fourth score which Long converted with aplomb. St Helens should have have their fifth try two minutes after the break but Ade Gardner knocked on horribly with the line at this mercy and the second period descended into a scrappy affair thereafter. It was not until six minutes from time that the Saints touched down again when Dean showed impressive strength to burrow his way over in the left corner allowing Long to again convert in style from the touchline.
St Helens coach Mick Potter: "It wasn't the best of spectacles. They didn't get any tries and they probably weren't looking for them in the second half. "I think they were just looking to get through the game. We wanted two points and it was great to keep Celtic to zero." Crusaders coach John Dixon: "It was a good effort from us. We demonstrated the trait of a good football team but the fact is we played a much better one. "Were they a better team? For sure, but we played as a team and we stuck to a gameplan."
St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Dean, Meli, Pryce, Long, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Flannery, Wilkin, Gilmour.
Replacements: Roby, Puletua, Clough, Fa'asavalu. Celtic Crusaders: Quinn, Lennon, Tyrer, Dalle Cort, Blackwood, White, Van Dijk, O'Hara, Withers, Bryant, J. James, Chan, Lupton.
Replacements: Peek, Flower, Budworth, Davies. Referee: G Hewer (Wakefield)
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?