Makinson gets Saints title defence off to a flyer
St HELENS ran in five tries as they got their Betfred Super League title defence off to a convincing start with victory over Salford. The 2021 season kicked-off behind closed doors at Headingley with a repeat of the 2019 Grand Final. And it was the same outcome as Saints condemned their former assistant coach Richard Marshall to defeat in his first match as Red Devils boss. Salford, who had five debutants, were in touch at 13-6 until the champions cut loose with three tries in the final quarter. ‘I thought it was a good game of footy,’ said St Helens boss Kristian Woolf. ‘Both teams came out with good intensity and I thought we did a good job coming through with the win.’ His team made the perfect start with right winger Tom Makinson outjumping Krisnan Inu to collect Theo Fages’ precise kick to the corner to score the first try just two minutes in. Taking on the goal-kicking duties in the absence of Lachlan Coote, Makinson landed the touchline conversion for 6-0. The champions piled on the pressure and Makinson stretched the lead with a penalty. Then a mistake by Kallum Watkins let left winger Regan Grace in for his side’s second try and on the stroke of half-time Jack Welsby, 20, kicked a first Super League drop goal. The Red Devils grabbed their only try when stand-off Tui Lolohea’s long, looping pass enabled Ken Sio to cross unopposed. Krisnan Inu converted to make it 13-6. However, Saints were never seriously threatened after that and Mark Percival leapt high to collect another Fages kick and score his first try since 2019. Makinson’s third goal restored his side’s two-score advantage and — as Marshall’s men tired — Saints turned on the style. Centre Kevin Naiqama pounced on a handling error by Inu to scored a fourth try and prop Alex Walmsley charged through for a solo score to round things off, with Makinson taking his goal tally to four from six attempts.