Ben Barba turned on the magic to boost Saints’ play-off chances as they beat Huddersfield Giants 40-16 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Jonny Lomax pounced on a lovely grubber kick from Danny Richardson to open the scoring for Saints in the fourth minute. Mark Percival added the extras, 6-0.
Regan Grace was next to score for Saints six minutes later. A gorgeous break from Barba saw him draw his man and Grace was in. Percival converted from under the sticks, 12-0.
Saints then had one chalked off for a forward pass by referee Gareth Hewer in the 22nd minute.
Huddersfield scored their first points through Oliver Roberts in the 30th minute. Saints lost the ball on their 40 and Roberts pushed his way over from close range. Danny Brough converted from the left edge, 12-6.
Saints were in again three minutes later through as Lomax scored his second of the evening after a break-away from Grace. Percival added the extras, 18-6.
The home side further extended their lead three minutes before the break when Percival found a gap and touched down under the sticks. He converted his own try, 24-6 at half-time.
Barba added his name to the scoresheet in the 46th minute as he showed a clean pair of heels from distance to go over in the left corner. Percival kicked successfully from the touch touchline, 30-6.
Ryan Morgan was next in for Saints, the centre forcing his was through and touching down in the 55th minute for his 11th try of the season. Percival was short with the touchline conversion, 34-6.
Ten minutes later Ryan Hinchcliffe was in for the Giants. Kruise Leeming played the ball right to Hinchcliffe who dived over to score. Brough added the two, 34-12.
Jordan Rankin scored for the visitors in the 74th minute. Rankin touched down on the left edge after being played in by Brough. Brough was unsuccessful with the kick from the touchline, 34-16.
Saints had the last laugh, though. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook drove through and scored under the sticks three minutes from time. Percival added the extras to make the final score 40-16.
