Sam Taylor reviews St Helens’ comfortable victory over Huddersfield as they leapfrogged rivals Wigan at the top of the table. Here’s how the game went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 5th | Try Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 4-0 |
| 6th | Goal Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 6-0 |
| 14th | Try Aaron Smith (St Helens) | St Helens 10-0 |
| 15th | Goal Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 12-0 |
| 26th | Try Regan Grace (St Helens) | St Helens 16-0 |
| 27th | Goal Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 18-0 |
| 30th | Goal Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 20-0 |
| 47th | Try Owen Trout (Huddersfield) | St Helens 20-4 |
| 48th | Goal Oli Russell (Huddersfield) | St Helens 20-6 |
| 52nd | Try Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook (St Helens) | St Helens 24-6 |
| 53rd | Goal Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 26-6 |
| 57th | Try Regan Grace (St Helens) | St Helens 30-6 |
| 58th | Goal Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 32-6 |
| 60th | Try Matty Costello (St Helens) | St Helens 36-6 |
| 61st | Goal Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 38-6 |
| 63rd | Try Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 42-6 |
| 70th | Try Dom Peyroux (St Helens) | St Helens 46-6 |
| 71st | Goal Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 48-6 |
| 72nd | Try Alex Walmsley (St Helens) | St Helens 52-6 |
| 73rd | Goal Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 54-6 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st Half
Both teams had a number of players out. Saints were missing the likes of Theo Fages, Mark Percival, Zeb Taia and James Roby while the Giants were missing nine of the first 17 including influential half back Aidan Sezer.
Saints got of to the better start and through a bit of luck Aaron Smith’s grubbed ricocheted into the hands of Lachlan Coote to score the opening try.
Smith then turned from provider to scorer as he foundย his way through a gap after an offload from Alex Walmsley.
Matty Costello was then denied a try as a 30 yard pass from Lachlan Coote was adjudged forward by the referee.
Huddersfield then a had a try disallowed by the video referee as Newcastle Knights bound Dominic Young knocked the ball on when challenging the high ball.
Saints then extended their lead as Regan Grace scored in typical Grace fashion, picking up a loose ball and racing away before rounding the full back.
Alex Walmsley then won a penalty in front of the sticks which Coote converted.
2nd Half
Huddersfield looked to get back in the game as debutant Owen Trout stole the ball from Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook to race away under the posts.
All hope of a comeback faded as Saints had the majority of possession in the second half. McCarthy-Scarsbrook made up from his earlier mistake by crashing onto a ball from short range to score.
Grace got his second as a floating ball from Jonny Lomax resulted in him scoring in the corner.
They then scored the try of the game as Jack Welsby glided throughout the Giants defence before feeding Matty Costello to score. Lachlan Coote then converted his 28th consecutive conversion.
Lomax then assisted the another try this time creating a gap for Coote to score. Coote this time unable to convert.
Dom Peyroux marked his return to the first team with a superb try as he beat four Giants players to score.
Saints final try came from Alex Walmsley who has been in superb try-scoring form after the restart.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
After a short training period before the restart it was expected that their would be quite a few injuries. This along with positive Covid-19 cases has led to some depleted squads. However this can lead to some opportunities. The highlight from this game was some of the performances of the younger players. Jack Welsby probably had his best game in a Saints shirt, Josh Simm was solid in the centres while Aaron Smith showed their isn’t much need to worry when James Roby retires. Despite the loss, Dominic Young showed with his athleticism that he will be up to the challenge of the NRL while Owen Trout was very impressive on debut.
SQUADS
Huddersfield Giants: Senior; McGillvary, Cudjoe, Turner, Young; Russell, Holmes; Gavet, O’Brien, English, Hewitt, J Wardle, Wood.
Interchanges: Butterworth, Wilson, Trout, Edwards.
St Helens: Coote; Costello, Naiqama, Simm, Grace; Welsby, Lomax; Lees, Smith, Walmsley, Bentley, Knowles, Graham.
Interchanges: Peyroux, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Amor, Ashworth.
