Tommy Makinson scored three tries, and prop forward Mose Masoe scored two as St Helens remained at the top of the Super League table with a 44-22 victory over Widnes Vikings at Langtree Park tonight.
But both sides suffered injury blows.
Kevin Brown left the field after 20 minutes after suffering a bad knock apparently suffering from concussion, while Luke Walsh suffered what appears to be a serious ankle injury after 52 minutes, and Jon Wilkin also suffered an injury prior to the game that meant he was omitted from the 17-man squad.
Makinson scored tries in the 19th, 42nd and 60th minutes and, despite Widnes battling back from a 32-0 deficit with three tries in the space of five minutes from the 50th minute, with two tries from Cameron Phelps, the second from 80 metres, and one from Stefan Marsh, the mountain was always too big for the Vikings to climb.
Saints got off to a great start with a try by Mark Flanagan from a great pass by Luke Walsh, converted by Mark Percival, after six minutes, and they scored three more in the first half, with one from Makinson, who somehow squeezed in at the corner, and Masoe’s double, with the smaller Widnes forwards struggling to hold the Widnes pack, although Willie Isa was a constant threat to the Saints forwards.
Makinson and Jordan Turner scored early second-half tries before Widnes began their fightback, bringing the score back to 32-16 after 55 minutes.
But Saints cut loose again with tries from Makinson and Willie Manu, before Rhys Hanbury scored the final touchdown of the evening.Percival scored six goals for Saints, while Danny Tickle landed three for Widnes.
A full report from this game with full photography will feature in Monday’s edition of Rugby League Express.
