St Helens (18) 70
Tries: Meli, Thompson, Wellens, Graham, Ashe, Shenton 2, Ashurst, Makinson 2, Soliola, Armstrong Goals: Foster 11
Featherstone (0) 0

Michael Shenton scored tries number six and 11

Twelve-try St Helens ran riot in the second half to thrash Featherstone in the Challenge Cup fifth round.

Saints led 18-0 at the break through tries from from Francis Meli, debutant Warren Thompson and Paul Wellens.

James Graham, Nathan Ashe, Michael Shenton (2), Matty Ashurst, Thomas Makinson (2), Iosia Soliola and Tom Armstrong crossed to make it a rout.

Jamie Foster kicked 11 goals for the dominant Super League club, who had 11 players out through injury.

Foster only missed one kick, with Jon Wilkin landing the man of the match award.

Saints old boy Ian Hardman prevented an early Foster try by barging the winger into touch after a bright start by Rovers.

But Saints led when Meli, who looked offside, latched onto Wilkin's kick and Foster converted.

Rovers caused their esteemed opposition problems with desperate defence needed to keep out Ross Divorty.

But the hosts should have extended their lead when Meli's poor ball to Paul Wellens saw Matty Ashurst held up over the line.

Rovers' resistance was breached by powerful play from forward Thompson and Foster's conversion calmed the Saints nerves.

Wellens took Nathan Ashe's pass from James Roby's break to put them in control before Ade Gardner was denied by a brilliant Andy Bostock tackle from Wellens' pass.

Featherstone almost got on the scoresheet before the break, but Bryn Powell and Mufaro Mvududu both failed to collect Tom Hemingway's teasing kick.

And after the break, Saints' dominance showed. Graham blasted over with Foster adding his fourth conversion.

Ashe added a fifth try from a looping inside ball from Foster with an possible forward pass in the build-up to.

Shenton scored a fine solo effort before Ashurst crossed for their seventh.

Makinson finished off a slick handling move and added a second two minutes later.

Sol Soliola forced his way over for Saints' 10th try with eight minutes left, and Shenton and Armstrong crossed to leave tired Rovers happy to hear the whistle.

St Helens boss Royce Simmons:
"Featherstone are a side used to winning and we knew they would put up early resistance.

"Our last pass did not go to hand in the first 15 or 20 minutes and we missed a few opportunities.

"But it was a real professional performance to keep them to zero."

Featherstone boss Daryl Powell:
"We were pretty good in the first half and thought Saints were fortunate to be ahead 18-0.

"We were as good as them but the second half was unacceptable and to blow it like we did was really disappointing.

"It was ridiculous to be knocked over like we were and it was embarrassing."

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Shenton, Meli, Foster, Wilkin, Ashe, Graham, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Ashurst, Soliola, Magennis.

Replacements: Armstrong, Makinson, Hale, Thompson.

Featherstone: Hardman, Powell, Bostock, Smeaton, Hepworth, Hemingway, Finn, Haley, Kaye, Dickens, Grayshon, Spears, Dale.

Replacements: Welham, Worthington, Divorty, Mvududu.

Attendance: 2,905

Referee: James Child (Dewsbury)

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version