PERCY CENTRE OF ATTENTION
ENGLAND centre Mark Percival plundered 22 points as St Helens closed in on Super League’s top four.
Percival converted Saints’ first five tries, including his own, and also added four penalties before failing to make it 10 out of 10 to Ryan Morgan’s late touchdown.
“The goal-kicking made a big difference,” said head coach Justin Holbrook. “A few were penalties but it was the right time to take them. Percy was fantastic.”
But Saints were pushed by the relegation-threatened Dragons, winners just once in four games since former England chief Steve McNamara became head coach.
The visitors trailed only by two after Richie Myler’s 90-metre interception and ex-Saint Luke Walsh’s fourth goal. But 16 points in the final nine minutes eased the home side to victory.
“Everyone had given us the two points before the game but you have to earn them,” added Holbrook. “So I was happy with the way we finished things.”
Percival’s haul saw him pass 500 Super League points while Jonny Lomax, on his 150th club appearance, and Theo Fages, in his 100th career game, touched down for Saints.
“We were in a great position,” said McNamara. “But we conceded a couple of soft tries which made the scoreline look ridiculous.”