ALL WEL AGAIN!

King Jack on the ascent after destroying Trinity

GRAND Final hero Jack Welsby produced another mature display as St Helens showed champion qualities in a real game of two halves.

Welsby, 20, was christened King Jack by Saints supporters for his stunning last-gasp try to win last year’s title decider against Wigan.

He still wasn’t guaranteed place in Kristian Woolf’s star-studded side when everyone was fit.

But with Lachlan Coote and Mark Percival both missing games through injury, Welsby (inset) is becoming an increasingly prominent member of the team.

He scored one try and made three others as Saints blew their opponents away after the break.

Inconsistent Trinity stood toe-to-toe with the home side in a first half which didn’t bother the scoreboard.

But any thoughts Chris Chester’s outfit could pull off a major shock were extinguished with three quick-fire tries after the restart.

It keeps Woolf’s side undefeated at the start of the new campaign and looking like the team to beat again.

That probably couldn’t be said after their scrappy opening 40 minutes.

The closest Wakefield came was when James Batchelor was held up over the line while at the other end, Tommy Makinson put a foot in touch as he dived for the corner.

The deadlock was eventually broken within two minutes of the second half.

After Saints regained possession following the first set, the ball was

aquickly shifted right where Kevin Naiqama stepped through to score. Moments later the home side were over again. A smart Welsby offload released Theo Fages, and James Bentley supported to shrug off a high tackle from Ryan Hampshire and stride under the posts.

The contest was effectively over when Welsby touched down a Jonny Lomax kick to put his side three scores clear. Welsby created two tries for his winger Regan Grace and Naqaima completed his own double before Jay Pitts grabbed a late response that was scant consolation for Trinity.