ST HELENS backed up their World Club Challenge win with a big win over a disappointing Castleford Tigers performance.
It was nip and tuck for the entire first quarter with Jake Mamo and Niall Evalds both going close for the Tigers.
And after a series of wasted chances, Saints punished the hosts with a simple Jack Welsby try under the posts. Mark Percival converted for a 6-0 lead.
There were a series of bombed opportunities from Saints for a period as the visitors took their 6-0 lead into the break.
6-0 down at half-time and things got worse for the Tigers six minutes into the second-half when Jonny Lomax’s mazy run ended with Tee Ritson going in at the corner. Percival converted to make it 12-0.
Castleford did, however, hit back immediately when Jack Broadbent was awarded a penalty try after being hit around the head by Welsby on his way to the line. Gareth Widdop converted from in front to reduce the deficit to six at 12-6.
That being said, Saints were in no mood to let Castleford get a roll on and the visitors restored their 12-point lead after Welsby’s neat kick was caught by Alex Walmsley who fell over the line. Percival converted to make it 18-6.
Walmsley was again on the rampage with nine minutes to go, forcing his way through.
The Tigers should have had a consolation score on 75 minutes after Bureta Faraimo intercepted on halfway only for the winger to inexplicably dive over the line and put his hand in touch.
That summed up the Castleford performance as Saints finished 24-6 winners.
Castleford Tigers
1 Niall Evalds
21 Jake Mamo
3 Jordan Turner
17 Jack Broadbent
5 Bureta Faraimo
6 Gareth Widdop
7 Jacob Miller
10 George Griffin
9 Paul McShane
19 Albert Vete
11 Kenny Edwards
12 Alex Mellor
8 George Lawler
Subs (all used)
16 Adam Milner
20 Muizz Mustapha
24 Cain Robb
32 Liam Watts
Also in 21-man squad
2 Greg Eden
4 Mahe Fonua
13 Joe Westerman
14 Nathan Massey
Tries: Broadbent
Goals: Widdop 1/1
St Helens
1 Jack Welsby
25 Tee Ritson (D)
23 Konrad Hurrell
4 Mark Percival
5 Jon Bennison
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Lewis Dodd
8 Alex Walmsley
14 Joey Lussick
10 Matty Lees
11 Sione Mata’utia
19 James Bell
13 Morgan Knowles
Subs (all used)
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
18 Jake Wingfield
20 Dan Norman
22 Sam Royle
Also in 21-man squad
16 Curtis Sironen
21 Ben Davies
24 Lewis Baxter
30 George Delaney
Tries: Welsby, Ritson, Walmsley 2
Goals: Percival 4/4
