Super League: St Helens back on top after 11-try thrashing of beleaguered London Broncos
Last Updated: 19/07/14 7:12pm
St Helens returned to the Super League summit on Saturday after racing 11 tries past the relegated London Broncos in a 58-16 drubbing at The Hive.
Centre Mark Percival scored 22 points - including two tries and seven conversions - as the Saints ran in 11 tries across a comprehensive performance which saw Nathan Brown's side restore their two-point lead at the top of the Super League ladder.
For the already-relegated Broncos, it was the latest disappointment in a campaign that saw their winless run stretch to 21 games.
It did not take long for the visitors to hit their stride, Lance Hohaia breaking the line to allow Percival to burst over for the game's first try on seven minutes.
Within five minutes that lead was doubled, Kyle Amor muscling through three tackles to touch down at the sticks.
The Broncos, who saw their relegation from the top flight finally sealed last weekend, were simply offering nothing as an attacking force.
Relentless
But there was no let-up from the Saints, Jordan Turner the next to canter over after a strong run from prop Alex Walmsley.
The Londoners did get on the scoreboard midway through the half, profiting from a St Helens mistake as Woodburn-Hall raced home after a Jon Wilkin kick was charged down.
That proved a brief respite though, as the visitors notched their fourth try moments later, Turner taking a short pass from James Roby to ease over for his second score.
Within 30 minutes the score was 28-6, Paul Wellens adding his name to the try scorers when he strolled over after gathering a loose pass from Hohaia that looked suspiciously forward.
To their credit, the hosts were close to conjuring up a second try of their own moments before the break, Thomas just unable to gather after an excellent offload from McMeeken.
Into the second half and normal service was resumed on 47 minutes, Percival helping himself to his second try after a flowing handling move involving Roby and Turner.
Fighting spirit
London were at least going down fighting though, Will Lovell notching the host's second try when he took an excellent pass from Josh Drinkwater to slip inside the Saints defence.
The searing heat seemed to have sapped some energy out of the contest, with the visitors seemingly content to sit in second gear and only occasionally flicker into life.
And that slackness allowed the Broncos to come up with their third try on the hour mark, Denny Solomona leaping highest to claim a clever Drinkwater kick and crash over.
Stung into action, the Saints ran in their seventh try minutes later, Dawson racing in after a strong run from Turner.
An eighth score came with 10 minutes remaining, Luke Thompson bursting over after the London defence was stretched left and right, with Sia Soliola adding a further score straight from kick-off, outstripping the entire Broncos side on his way to the line.
There was still time for two more Saints scores, Anthony Laffranchi charging over from close range and Dawson bursting in at the corner after good work from Turner.