Tigers lose out at Saints

Cas came away from Merseyside empty handed after a 22-0 defeat at the Totally Wicked Stadium 

Riley Dean brought the Fords to life four minutes into the contest. A Fantastic 40/20 from the debutant got Cas in attacking range early on. A kick on the last from Mellor was forced dead by Welsby, but Cas are punished for an offside in the build-up. 

Saints broke the deadlock on 17 minutes. A high kick from Dodd and a melee in the air allowed the ball to bounce towards the in-goal area and Mata’utia pounced on it. 

The hosts tried to take advantage of a Sam Hall slip by going down the right at pace on 20 minutes. The ball headed in the direction of Hopoate but after a brilliant scrambling defence from Widdop, the ball came free and Cas had it back. 

It was a return to the field for Albert Vete who replaced Liam Watts with 12 to play in the first 40. 

Saints thought they’d found a gap when Dodd kicked through and chased his own kick but Widdop scooped it up brilliantly and brought it away. 

An error however soon followed. A knock on from Turner gave Saints head and feed on 10m. They ball was shifted right to left and found Welsby who stepped inside and created a gap to go over and extend the hosts’ lead. 

In a first half without many chances from either side, Cas did do the basics really well. They defended brilliantly against the pace of the Saints offense and completed their sets and were in the game at the halfway stage at 8-0. 

The Tigers gained some ground after the restart but failed to put points on the board. Brilliant carries from Qareqare, including an offload from Widdop got Cas to 20m, but Mellor was gobb;ed up by the Saints defence. 

A high bomb from Dodd was spilled by Tate and Saints had the scrum on 10m. The ball came right from the out and Cas stood firm, dislodging the ball from Roby’s grasp just short of the line and the Fords earned possession back. 

Saints were awarded a six again, and a penalty for a high shot. They moved up with pace and exploited the Tigers’ right edge with a face ball to Bennison who grounded in the corner. 

A huge hit from Vete on Hurrell gave Cas some extra metres after contact. This followed a penalty for the Fords which was kicked to 20m. Miller’s kick on the last towards Qareqare is caught buy the winger, but on landing he’s bundled into touch. 

Cas tried to bring the ball away from their line but Turner lost control of it giving Saints the chance to add the final points of the evening. Percival buried his way over the whitewash to round off the scoring. 

FULL TIME: St Helens 22-0 Castleford Tigers  

St Helens: Welsby, Hopoate, Hurrell, Percival, Bennison, Lomax, Dodd, Walmsley, Roby, Lees, Mata’utia, Bell, Knowles 

Interchanges: Lussick, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Paasi, Delaney 

18th Man: Davies 

Castleford Tigers: Widdop, Tate, Mellor, Turner, Qareqare, Dean, Miller, Griffin, Broadbent, Watts, Sutcliffe, Edwards, Hall 

Interchanges: Vete, Mustapha, Robb, Martin 

18th Man: Hookem 

Scores: 

St Helens:  

Tries: Mata’utia, Welsby, Bennison, Percival 

Goals: Percival 3/4 

Castleford Tigers: 

Tries: 

Goals: