ESL ESL St Helens - General News - Gossip etc
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| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| St Helens (12) 28 |
| Tries: Welsby, Makinson 2, Percival, Lomax Goals: Makinson 2, Dodd 2 |
| Warrington (2) 2 |
| Goal: Ratchford |
Super League leaders St Helens maintained their 100% record as they comfortably beat Warrington Wolves.
Jack Welsby went over for Saints midway through the first half while Tommy Makinson crossed for their second try.
Makinson went over once more after the break to put them in control, with Mark Percival further extending their lead with Jonny Lomax scoring late on.
Warrington's only points of a miserable evening were confined to Stefan Ratchford's early penalty goal.
St Helens maintain their lead at the top of the Super League table thanks to their fifth win in a row this term, while Warrington lose their second game in a row after suffering defeat to Catalans last time out.
Saints were reduced to 12 players after 17 minutes when Sione Mata'utia was sent to the bin for an off-the-ball hit on George Williams.
Williams joined him in the bin seven minutes later after being penalised for offside and Saints made easy work of scoring the first try through Welsby soon after, when he ran on to Lomax's perfect grubber kick to the corner.
| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| Leeds 0 |
| St Helens (8) 26 |
| Tries: Makinson 2, Hurrell, Dodd, Lomax Goals: Percival 3 |
Super League champions St Helens put their shock first defeat of the season at new boys Toulouse behind them as they ran in five tries to win in some style at Leeds.
The Rhinos have now lost all five games at Headingley this season - their worst start to a campaign since 1898.
Leeds put in a game effort, as they limited Saints to two first-half tries from Konrad Hurrell and Tommy Makinson.
But Makinson, Lewis Dodd and Jonny Lomax added three more.
| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| St Helens (12) |
| Tries: Makinson, Lomax, Batchelor, Percival Goals: Makinson 3 |
| Wigan (4) |
| Tries: Field |
The_Fanatical_Rooster St Helens delivered a relentless performance in a bruising Super League derby victory against Wigan Warriors in front of a sellout 17,980 crowd.
Jai Field burst through off an inside ball to scorch in for a Wigan try, but Tommy Makinson's spectacular corner dive brought the home side level.
Jonny Lomax finished off a Makinson break for a half-time lead and Joe Batchelor's try extended the advantage.
Mark Percival finished off a fumbled kick to kick-start the Saints' party.
Abbas Miski was close to a consolation for Wigan, but had his foot in touch.
The attritional, physical nature of this most ferocious of rivalries came at a cost to both teams with Saints losing back row Morgan Knowles to a failed head-injury assessment and Wigan saw half-back Tommy Leuluai sidelined by a potential cruciate ligament problem.
St Helens have lost young half-back Lewis Dodd for the rest of the season with a "significant" Achilles injury.
| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| Warrington (4) 10 |
| Tries: Widdop, Williams Goals: Ratchford |
| St Helens (12) 12 |
| Tries: Walmsley, Makinson Goals: Makinson 2 |
St Helens ensured they will go into the Challenge Cup final break top of the Super League after victory over a Warrington side that made them sweat.
Gareth Widdop gave the Wire a surprise early lead, but Saints roared in front before half-time through Alex Walmsley and Tommy Makinson scores.
Saints had ample chances to add to the lead, but could not execute and George Williams' try made it a two-point game.
Makinson's goal-kicking proved key in the end as the Wire came up short.
Saints open up a four-point lead over Wigan and Catalans at the top with this win, albeit with the rest of their rivals yet to feature, but their players will certainly feel every bump and bruise after a tough examination of their character.
Wire were chastised for their second-half collapse at Catalans last weekend but they showed real mettle to run the champions close all the way to the final hooter.
Daryl Powell's rebuild of Warrington has stuttered since he arrived last winter, but his side were physical and tenacious, while the decision to put Widdop at full-back proved inspired.
| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| Toulouse (2) 14 |
| Tries: Hansen, Hankinson Goals: Hankinson 3 |
| St Helens (14) 28 |
| Tries: Knowles, Makinson, Hurrell, Welsby, Grace Goals: Makinson 4 |
Super League leaders St Helens saw off Toulouse 28-14 at Stade Ernest Wallon to go four points clear at the top.
Morgan Knowles, Tommy Makinson and Konrad Hurrell all crossed to cancel out Chris Hankinson's early goal as Saints built a 14-2 lead at the break.
Harrison Hansen went over as bottom side Toulouse responded well, but Jack Welsby and Regan Grace's interception try put the leaders out of sight.
Hankinson cut the gap again, but Saints still eased to a fourth straight win.
An all-French team of officials took charge of the match after scheduled referee Liam Moore and touch judge Liam Rush were left stranded in Munich because of a catalogue of travel delays.
Tonga centre Konrad Hurrell has signed a new deal with reigning champions St Helens to run until the end of the 2023 Super League season.
The 30-year-old joined Saints from Leeds for this season to link up with Tonga head coach Kristian Woolf, and has five tries in 15 games so far.
Hurrell had previously been linked with a potential return to Australia's National Rugby League beyond 2022.
The 30-year-old joined Saints from Leeds for this season to link up with Tonga head coach Kristian Woolf, and has five tries in 15 games so far.
Hurrell had previously been linked with a potential return to Australia's National Rugby League beyond 2022.
| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| St Helens (6) 25 |
| Tries: Batchelor, Paasi, Welsby Goals: Lomax 4 Drop-goal: Welsby |
| Huddersfield (0) 0 |
St Helens fought for a hard-earned win against Huddersfield with 12 players to maintain their Super League lead.
Saints had Sione Mata'utia sent off early on but Joe Batchelor put the depleted home side ahead by half-time.
Agnatius Paasi put Saints further ahead after the break with Jack Welsby adding to their tally before the hour mark.
The hosts had Morgan Knowles sent to the bin in the final stages but Jonny Lomax wrapped up the win as they saw out the match with just 11 players.
| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| Hull FC (6) 6 |
| Tries: Walker, Goals: Gale |
| St Helens (26) 60 |
| Tries: Hopoate, Makinson 2, McCarthy-Scarsbrook 2, Hurrell 2, Davies 2, Mata'utia, Lussick Goals: Makinson 8 |
Leaders St Helens booked their Super League play-off semi-final spot with a 14th straight win over Hull.
Jack Walker gave Hull an early lead before Will Hopoate levelled things up.
Four tries in eight minutes put Saints 26-6 up at half-time as Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (two) and Konrad Hurrell crossed, and Tommy Makinson claimed his 150th Super League try.
Ben Davies (two), Hurrell, Makinson, Sione Mata'utia and Joey Lussick then completed an 11-try demolition.
| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| St Helens (20) 38 |
| Tries: Makinson 2, Welsby, Lussick, Bennison, Davies Goals: Makinson 7 |
| Hull KR (0) 12 |
| Tries: Linnett, Tate, Barley |
Tommy Makinson claimed a 22-point haul as Super League leaders St Helens maintained this season's 100 per cent home record by seeing off Hull KR.
Makinson got the scoreboard ticking with the first two tries, before Jack Welsby crossed to leave KR 20-0 down at the break and all but out of it.
But Danny McGuire's men did rally well with three second-half tries.
Kane Linnett, Will Tate and debutant Connor Barley matched scores from Joey Lussick, Jon Bennison and Ben Davies.
Saints were without the injured Sione Mata'utia, while Morgan Knowles and Curtis Sironen were missing through suspension, but they had Welsby back as they moved a step closer to lifting another League Leaders' Shield.
They got off the mark in the second minute when Makinson kicked a routine penalty before diving over for the first try of the night, after Jonny Lomax and Welsby had combined, then kicking his own conversion from the touchline to make it 8-0 to the home side.
Will Hopoate and Konrad Hurrell then combined for Makinson's unconverted second try on 22 minutes before Welsby threw a huge pass to the left for winger Bennison, who passed the ball back inside for Welsby to race under the posts.
St Helens captain James Roby has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him with the Super League club for a 20th year.
The 36-year-old holds the all-time Super League appearance record having taken the mantle from Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield earlier this season.
Roby has made 518 appearances since his debut against Widnes in March 2004.
The 36-year-old holds the all-time Super League appearance record having taken the mantle from Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield earlier this season.
Roby has made 518 appearances since his debut against Widnes in March 2004.
| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| St Helens (13) 19 |
| Tries: Batchelor 2, Bennison Goals: Makinson 3 Drop-goal: Lomax |
| Salford (6) 12 |
| Tries: Watkins, Brierley Goals: Sneyd 2 |
St Helens withstood a spirited second-half effort from Salford to win their Super League semi-final and book a Grand Final date against Leeds.
Joe Batchelor's first-half converted double and a Jonny Lomax drop goal gave Kristian Woolf's side a 13-6 lead, with Kallum Watkins' score in reply.
Ryan Brierley brought Salford back within a point in the second half with his breakaway score.
Jon Bennison touched down late on to ensure the job was done for Saints.
This victory means the Saints can still send off departing coach Woolf with a Grand Final to remember, as they hunt a fourth straight showpiece success in a row.
| Betfred Super League Grand Final: St Helens v Leeds Rhinos |
|---|
| Venue: Old Trafford Date: Saturday, 24 September Kick-off: 18:00 BST |
| Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Leeds & BBC Sounds, live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app; highlights at 22:50 BST on BBC One |
St Helens back-rower Morgan Knowles is free to play in Saturday's Super League Grand Final after winning a second appeal against a two-match suspension.
The 25-year-old England international lost his initial appeal against the ban for "dangerous contact".
St Helens' fourth consecutive Grand Final win established them as the best team of the Super League era, says departing coach Kristian Woolf.
Victory for Saints against Leeds at Old Trafford meant they surpassed their previous record of three straight wins, jointly held with the Rhinos.
Woolf led them to another title in his final game before joining newly-formed NRL side the Dolphins for 2023.
Victory for Saints against Leeds at Old Trafford meant they surpassed their previous record of three straight wins, jointly held with the Rhinos.
Woolf led them to another title in his final game before joining newly-formed NRL side the Dolphins for 2023.
They have already won the big prize for the last four years, so it would be madness not to insert St Helens as clear favourites to lift the Super League title again in 2023.
But this could be one of the tightest run title races for some time, with a number of clubs jockeying for position for a place in next autumn's Grand Final.
The new season starts on Thursday with Warrington Wolves hosting Leeds Rhinos, but which teams are the likeliest candidates to snatch St Helens' crown?
But this could be one of the tightest run title races for some time, with a number of clubs jockeying for position for a place in next autumn's Grand Final.
The new season starts on Thursday with Warrington Wolves hosting Leeds Rhinos, but which teams are the likeliest candidates to snatch St Helens' crown?
congratulations to St Helens .
Yes I was cheering for a win by them.
The panthers didnt have an answer to St Helens defence even after watching them against the Dragons last week.
The Saints moved up fast each play and snuffed out any value from the Panthers backline so the Choccies fell into the trap of one out bash n barge by their forwards.
Their attack apart from Clearys kicks looked a lot like it came from the Dragons playbook and hardly had any success.
It was only at the back end of the game that the Choccies fitness got them into the game but even though it went to golden point the Saints always looked the better side
Yes I was cheering for a win by them.
The panthers didnt have an answer to St Helens defence even after watching them against the Dragons last week.
The Saints moved up fast each play and snuffed out any value from the Panthers backline so the Choccies fell into the trap of one out bash n barge by their forwards.
Their attack apart from Clearys kicks looked a lot like it came from the Dragons playbook and hardly had any success.
It was only at the back end of the game that the Choccies fitness got them into the game but even though it went to golden point the Saints always looked the better side