St Helens extend Super League lead
Wilkin scores a brace after signing new contract
Also In The News
|
A century from veteran Graeme Hick gave Worcestershire a thrilling five-run win over Northamptonshire in the Twenty20 Cup. |  |
Saturday, 30, Jun 2007 08:52
St Helens have gone two points clear at the summit of the Super League table after an emphatic 54-4 drubbing of the Huddersfield Giants at Knowsley Road this evening.
Despite not having won at St Helens' home ground for almost 30 years, Huddersfield appeared not to be overawed by the burden of such a statistic in the opening minutes.
After 13 minutes Chris Nero profited from a well-judged grubber kick from Brad Drew to attain parity at 4-4 after John Wilkin's opening score, the first of two tries on the night for the 23-year-old.
Thereafter the Jon Sharp-managed side struggled to deal with the slippery conditions, with St Helens running in four tries to make it 28-4 at the interval, Leon Pryce also collecting his sixth try in four appearances.
The home side were in no mood to coast home in the second period, displaying a full range of skill to rub even more salt into their mid-table opponent's wounds.
Notching up another five tries to finish with ten, the Saints' 18-year-old centre Ste Tyrer also sparkled, scoring a brace of tries in a display which underlined his immense potential.
Man of Steel winner from 2006 Paul Wellens' late try provided the perfect finale before the full back's team meet Leeds next week.
Tonight's silky performance comes as Wilkin, James Graham and Ade Gardener all agreed to extending their contracts today, with the Saints also having submitted plans for a new 18,000 capacity stadium.