St Helens (10) 28
Tries: Foster 2, Wilkin, Lomax, Gaskell
Goals: Foster 4
Crusaders (0) 12
Tries: Sammut, White
Goals: Schifcofske 2

Foster ran in two tries and kicked four goals to help crack Crusaders

St Helens kept up the pressure on leaders Warrington at the top of the Super League table as they eased to victory over Crusaders.

Jamie Foster's first-minute try triggered a comfortable win, the winger bagging another, and four goals, en route to a personal 16-point haul.

Jon Wilkin and fit-again duo Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell both scored after the break.

Crusaders' second-half tries came from Jarrod Sammut and Lloyd White.

Both were converted by Clinton Schifcofske to extend his consecutive scoring run to 26 matches - stretching back almost two years - as Crusaders put in a spirited performance in their nearest 'local derby'.

Injury-hit Saints were able to recall five players from the treatment room to face the Super League's bottom club.

Lomax made his first start after four games out, while Gaskell was back after missing six matches.

Still missing were Leon Pryce, Tony Puletua, Chris Flannery, Scott Moore and Paul Clough.

But Andrew Dixon, Kyle Eastmond and winter signing Josh Perry were all on the bench as Saints grabbed their first win in three league matches to leave Crusaders marooned at the foot of the table.

Crusaders would have climbed above Wakefield if they had pulled off a shock victory. But they faced an uphill task once Foster had grabbed Saints' first try after only 32 seconds.

Stuart Reardon was twice at fault, allowing Foster's kick-off to bounce for Sol Soliola to snap up the loose ball, then for failing to prevent the touchdown in the corner when slick handling gave the winger only a sniff of a chance.

Saints brought on Eastmond after 17 minutes to replace Ade Gardner, who could face a lengthy lay-off after suffering an Achilles tendon injury trying to collect a towering Michael Witt kick.

Ade Gardner looks like he could be in trouble. He injured his Achilles tendon and we may not see him for quite some time Saints coach Royce Simmons

Gaskell switched to the wing, with Eastmond slotting in alongside Lomax in midfield.

Crusaders were again without Lincoln Withers, who failed a late fitness check, but Jason Chan was back in the centre to replace the injured Gareth Thomas.

Otherwise Crusaders kept the squad who impressed in their last match a fortnight ago - a 23-10 Super League win over Wakefield. And they were to cause Saints problems after their shaky start.

Tempers became frayed when Perry and Ben Flower traded punches, referee Ben Thaler letting both players off with a warning. But Crusaders did not look like a bottom-of-the-table side.

Showing dogged defence, with Sammut on as a lively sub, the home side were made to work hard to keep their own line intact.

But Foster managed to go over for his second try from Francis Meli's pass just before the break, this time banging over the touchline conversion to give his side a 10-0 interval lead.

Saints then made the perfect start to the second half when Wilkin crossed, Foster tagging on the goal. And Crusaders' slim hopes disappeared when Lomax ghosted over for a spectacular solo try after 49 minutes to extend the advantage to 22-0.

Crusaders did manage to break Saints' stubborn resistance with a fine individual effort from Sammut, Schifcofske converting.

Gaskell's try eight minutes from time then made it 28-6 before White closed the show, Schifcofske again adding the extras.

St Helens coach Royce Simmons:

"Ade Gardner looks like he could be in trouble. He injured his Achilles tendon and we may not see him for quite some time. It could be a severe tear or even snapped - but we won't know more until after a scan.

"Crusaders came with a good attitude and I could tell that after five minutes. They responded well after conceding an early try and played strongly.

"It was a good defensive effort from us - Kieron Purtill looks after defence and is doing a top job.

"All the blokes coming back from injury came back well, although we had to take off Jonny Lomax near the end with a bit of a bump."

Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris:

"It wasn't a great start but we improved against a very good side.

"We made two or three individual errors which cost us 18 to 20 points. And we matched Saints in most departments.

"But Jonny Lomax was the difference. Take him out of Saints side and there was nothing to choose between us. Every time he touched the ball he looked dangerous. He is a very difficult player to defend against."

St Helens: Wellens; Gardner, Shenton, Meli, Foster; Gaskell, Lomax; Graham, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Soliola, Wilkin, Magennis.

Replacements: Eastmond, Perry, Ashurst, Dixon.

Crusaders: Schifcofske; Reardon, Chan, Mellars, Kear; Witt, Hanbury; O'Hara, White, Moore, Cahill, Winternstein, Lupton.

Replacements: Sammut, Bryant, Flower, Tansey.

Attendance: 6,752.

Referee: Ben Taylor (Wakefield).

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