St Helens star recovers after coughing up blood in Super League clash

As revealed by St Helens Head Coach Paul Wellens, Matty Lees was sent to the hospital following an issue during Saturday’s game against Huddersfield, but he is now home and recovering well.

Head Coach Paul Wellens spoke to the assembled media in his post-match conference on Saturday night following the Saints’ strong 0-28 win away at Huddersfield Giants. In the conference he revealed that some illness had been going through the camp during the week ahead of the fixture.

Lees was one of the players that had unfortunately been effected during the week but put his hand up and was willing to play on Saturday. During the game the Red V’s #10 took a hit to the chest and ended up coughing up some blood, and the choice was made by our coaching staff to remove him from the field and send him to hospital to be checked over.

The good news is that Matty Lees returned home on Saturday and is recovering well.

St Helens notch second win of the season

In a hard fought opening quarter to the half, it took ten minutes for the first points. Saints moved the ball from left to right and Matt Whitley collected Jonny Lomax’s grubber kick to slide over and grab his third try in his first two appearances for the club. Mark Percival converted, 0-6.

It took until two minutes before the break for try number two. Sione Mata’utia collected James Bell’s short pass close to the Giants line and broke over the top of the defender, before planting the ball down. The video referee was called upon, and he agreed with the on-field decision of try. Percival added the two, 0-12 Saints led at the break.

Eleven minutes into the second half, Saints grabbed their third try of the evening. Saints kept the ball alive down the left edge and it found its way to Daryl Clark, he put in a low kick which bounced perfectly into the hands of Jack Welsby to score under the sticks. Percival added two more points, 0-18.

Saints were reduced to twelve men just after the hour-mark. A kick to the corner looked to have gone dead inn-goal, however the referee went upstairs and the Giants were awarded a penalty and Saints lost Clark for ten minutes for the incident.

Saints rode the storm well, and grabbed two late tries to seal the win. With five minutes to go, Saints grabbed the try of the game. Jake Wingfield found Welsby down the middle and he broke through, the ball was then shifted through the hands down the left edge and eventually found its way to Jon Bennison to score in the corner. Makinson missed the kick, 0-22.

The final try came with two minutes to go. Welsby again collected a late offload and broke through the heart of the Giants and found the returning Morgan Knowles on his inside as support, who scored under the sticks on his return. Makinson kicked the final points of the game, as Saints beat the Giants 0-28 in West Yorkshire.