Saints too strong for Cas
26 May 2019
Ruthless St Helens again showed why they have been a class apart in this season’s Betfred Super League as they dismantled Castleford Tigers 36-16 to close out the Dacia Magic Weekend and restore their six-point advantage at the top.
Their West Yorkshire opponents are no stooges, despite this being a fifth defeat in six, and started the day in the play-off positions before ending it as the Saints’ latest victims.
Saints had to withstand an early onslaught before getting their first try after seven minutes, with Tommy Makinson going in after a slick move between Theo Fages and Lachlan Coote on the back of Kevin Naiqama’s length-of-the-field intercept.
Saints soaked up some more pressure before ruthlessly picking off a second, Regan Grace in at the left corner after good hands from Coote and Zeb Taia. James Roby then carved Castleford up down the middle and Jonny Lomax applied the finish, with Coote’s first goal of four taking it to 14-0.
Kevin Naiqama goes over for @Saints1890
What a display at #MagicWeekend by Saints live on @SkySportsRL pic.twitter.com/QqyaJZL47y
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) May 26, 2019
Coote was providing again soon, his last-tackle run putting Fages in, but a Roby sin-binning after a tackle on Jake Trueman stopped Saints in their tracks.
Grant Millington got one back for Cas while he was off, scoring off a Paul McShane kick, but the Tigers were unable to make any more inroads while a man up.
With Roby back on, Saints returned to full throttle after the break, Jack Ashworth the recipient of a short ball from Joseph Paulo and scoring under the posts.
Coote got a try his play deserved on the hour before Naiqama made it nine tries in five outings as he forced his way in at the corner.
St Helens’ evening’s work was slightly soured as Chris Clarkson an Greg Eden scrambled a pair of late consolations but it was too late too affect the outcome.
