Sam Taylor reviews James Roby’s 500th career appearance as he captained St Helens to victory over Castleford. Here’s how the game went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 48th | Sin bin- Grant Millington (Castleford) | 0-0 |
| 49th | Goal- Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 2-0 |
| 55th | Goal- Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 4-0 |
| 78th | Try- Theo Fages (St Helens) | St Helens 8-0 |
| 79th | Goal- Lachlan Coote (St Helens) | St Helens 10-0 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st Half
James Roby cemented his place as one of Super League’s greats as he lead out his St Helens side on his 500th appearance.
Roby will remember this appearance as one where defences were on top.
There was a controversial moment early in the first half as Tommy Makinson looks like he will face a lengthy ban after making inappropriate contact with Liam Watts.
Mark Percival then left the field just 20 minutes after a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury which he only just returned from.
Despite the scoreless half, the game was played at a frantic pace and was end to end.
Cas had the first chance of the game but ex-Saint Michael Shenton was only able to ground the ball on the dead-ball line from a Paul McShane kick.
St Helens ended the half the stronger side as Kyle Amor and the new Matty Lees were both held up over the line by strong Tigers defence.
2nd Half
Grant Millington was sin-binned 10 minutes into the second half for a late shoulder charge on Jonny Lomax. Lachlan Coote broke the deadlock with a penalty kick.
Saints were awarded another penalty for messing around at the ruck which Coote once again converted.
Castelford’s defence was outstanding as they tackled everything Saints threw at them.
Matty Lees was once again held up over the line after crashing onto a short ball.
Pressure finally told as St Helens scored the first try of the game with only a couple of minutes to go as Walmsley made a break with a trademark run before passing to Coote who then fed Theo Fages to bring victory to Saints. Coote made it three from here as the game ended 10-0.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
The defence from both sides was both intense and brutal. Impressively Saints have nilled Cas at the Totally Wicked Stadium three seasons in a row while Cas’ scrambling defence meant they were in with a shout despite lacking possession and territory.
SQUADS
St Helens: Coote, Makinson, Naiqama, Percival, Grace, Lomax, Fages, Walmsley, Roby, Graham, Taia, Bentley, Knowles.
Interchanges: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Lees, Amor, Smith.
Castleford Tigers: O’Brien, Olpherts, Foster, Shenton, Clare, McShane, Richardson, Watts, Milner, Griffin, Holmes, McMeekan, Massey.
Interchanges: Millington, Turner, Sefe-Lefao, O’Neill
