St Helens 22-6 Leigh: Saints gain revenge over Centurions
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 28/04/17 11:19pm
St Helens picked up their fifth Betfred Super League win of the season with a convincing 22-6 victory over a Leigh side who have now lost their last seven games in all competitions.
Mark Percival scored a try and kicked four goals as Saints gained revenge for a 24-16 defeat in the reverse fixture in February.
There was little to choose between the sides at half-time after Saints had fought back from 6-0 down to lead 12-6.
But it was a different story after the break as Leigh, who have not won in St Helens since 1982, were swept aside.
Neil Jukes' side made a bright start and took an eighth-minute lead when Jamie Acton charged over from close range, Ben Reynolds adding the conversion.
But St Helens levelled the scores after 20 minutes. Some quick passing along the left gave centre Percival the opportunity to dive over for a try which he also goaled.
Six minutes later, Saints were rewarded for some adventurous attacking play when the ball was kept alive - stand-off Theo Fages cutting infield to score. Percival brilliantly added the conversion from the touchline to make it 12-6.
Saints, who are still under the caretaker charge of Sean Long, Jamahl Lolesi and Derek Traynor following the departure of Kieron Cunningham, extended their lead 11 minutes into the second half when centre Ryan Morgan was set up for a try which Percival again converted.
Moments earlier, Adam Swift had been tackled onto his back by Leigh's Ryan Hampshire after a 50-metre break from Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook after he picked up a wayward pass.
Further tries followed in the final quarter. Winger Regan Grace got in at the corner after taking a pass from Fages though Percival was unable to add the conversion.
Saints prop Alex Walmsley capped his 150th career appearance with a try 10 minutes from the end, charging onto a short pass and proving unstoppable from close range. Percival added the conversion for a 28-6 lead.
Both sides ended the game with 12 men as Saints' Adam Walker and Eloi Pelissier of Leigh were sin-binned for fighting.