ROCK & ROBES Tommy keeps James’ dream alive
TOMMY MAKINSON made sure James Roby’s leaving party wasn’t wrecked as champions St Helens marched closer to yet another Grand Final.
The England winger’s 57th-minute try proved the difference in a scrappy play-offs eliminator and kept alive hopes of a record-extending fifth straight Super League title win.
Legendary hooker Roby, 37, made his 550th club appearance – and last on home turf – knowing defeat would mean the end of his career.
But he and fellow retiree Louie
McCarthy-Scarsbrook get at least one more outing now as Saints head to Catalans on Friday night with a place at Old Trafford up for grabs.
Coach Paul Wellens said: “We managed the emotion of the occasion.
“With James and Louie playing their last home games, there was a lot of emotion and that can drain you. The resilience of this side shone through. Robes just defies belief. There’s so many things I could say about him.”
Saints overcame the sixth-minute loss of England second-row Joe Batchelor to a hamstring injury to dominate the first half.
But they botched a series of chances so only led 8-2 after Lewis Dodd’s try and two Mark Percival goals.
Their rivals – who only sneaked into the top-six despite leading Super League in April – then stunned them with Connor Wrench’s fine solo try in the 43rd minute. Captain Stefan
Ratchford struck a touchline conversion and two minutes later sloppy Saints hit more problems.
England prop Alex Walmsley was yellow carded for a high shot on Jordan Crowther.
Ratchford soon levelled but, with Walmsley back on, mistake-ridden Peter Mata’utia spilled the ball for the second time to invite Saints back in.
Makinson duly obliged, finishing off a slick move for his 23rd try of the season which Percival improved.
Caretaker boss Gary Chambers said: “It’s tough to go out like that.”