Last gasp Saints break Reds’ hearts
MATTY Smith kicked a long dropgoal after the full-time hooter to complete an amazing fightback from St Helens against his old club Salford at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Smith’s perfectly struck kick from 40 metres completed the most remarkable of comebacks from Justin Holbrook’s side, who had looked dead and buried with seven minutes remaining as they trailed 24-8 – but came away with a 25-24 win.
Saints scored three times in the closing stages to claw their way back into the game and eventually seal the win that broke Salford hearts, denying them a first away win against Saints in 37 years.
Salford had looked on course for a famous victory after dominating much of the second half. Niall Evalds scored two tries, while half-backs Robert Lui and Todd Carney orchestrated play superbly for the Red Devils.
Both teams struggled to build pressure in a scrappy opening which was littered with handling errors and penalties. The nearest either side came to scoring was in the eighth minute when St Helens centre Mark Percival lost the ball with the try-line at his mercy after being put clear by Zeb Taia’s pass.
Salford took the lead with an 11th-minute penalty after Saints were caught holding down in front of their own posts, handing Carney a routine kick.
The home side, who had won 12 and drawn one of their past 14 home Super League games, gradually got on top and the pressure told in the 25th minute when scrum-half Smith took on the Salford defensive line before cutting through to touch down from 10 metres. Percival added the conversion and moments later he kicked a penalty to make it 8-2 after Salford’s Kris Welham was guilty of a high tackle.
But Salford, who had won four of their past five away games in Super League, levelled the game after the half-time hooter had sounded.
Scrum-half Carney kicked ahead and the bouncing ball evaded the Saints defence, allowing Evalds to touch down by the posts.
Carney’s goal made it 8-8 at the break.
The Red Devils, who beat Saints 22-14 in the corresponding fixture back in March, regained the lead within four minutes of the restart.
They kept the ball alive on the last tackle and Evalds’ pass found winger Greg Johnson who produced a superb finish to score from close range. Carney’s conversion hit the post.
It got even better for Ian Watson’s side as impressive stand-off Lui showed great determination to spin away of a couple of attempted tackles to score from close range in the 54th minute.
Carney’s conversion opened up an 18-8 lead.
With 14 minutes remaining, Salford looked to have sealed victory when Evalds won the race for a Carney grubber kick into the in-goal area and with Carney adding the extras, Watson’s side led 24-8.
That was the cue for the great escape from Saints. James Roby replied for the home side with a try under the posts – his 100th career touchdown – seven minutes from the end and Percival added the conversion. Winger Regan Grace scored Saints’ third try four minutes from the end to raise the hopes of the home fans, though Percival was unable to convert.
With two minutes remaining, Jonny Lomax finished off a 30-metre move and Percival’s goal made it 24-24. Then it was time for Smith, off balance and struggling to keep his footing, to produce a flash of brilliance with the one-pointer after the hooter.
Elsewhere tomorrow, Rochdale host Batley Bulldogs as they look to build on last week’s superb home victory over Bradford Bulls.
Oldham travel to Odsal to take on Bradford and Swinton should welcome back Rob Lever and Shaun Robinson for the visit of Halifax to Heywood Road.