Saints move clear at top

Challenge Cup winners overcome sluggish start to beat Quins

Last updated: 31st August 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Saints move clear at top

Wellens: 24th try of the season

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St Helens recorded a 32-10 victory over Harlequins RL to move two points clear at the top of the engage Super League.

Saints, returning to domestic action after winning the Challenge Cup last Saturday, scored five tries to see off a spirited challenge from Harlequins at Knowsley Road.

Although Jason Cayless opened the scoring by touching down in the fourth-minute, it was the visitors who played the more fluent rugby during the first-half.

Quins wing Ricki Sheriffe scored tries in the ninth and 21st minutes - the second a brilliant individual effort - as Saints struggled to find their customary rhythm.

James Graham barged over for St Helens' second try on 33 minutes and Stepen Tyrer added the conversion for a barely deserved 12-10 half-time lead.

Game of two halves

But it was all very different after the break - Paul Wellens set the tone in the 54th minute when Graham's neat handling sent the reigning Man of Steel in for his 24th try of the season.

Tyrer added a penalty to extend the lead after Quins' Scott Hill was sent to the sin-bin. Hill's absence was keenly felt when Chris Flannery raced in for Saints' fourth try in the 66th minute.

Second rower Lee Gilmour powered over the whitewash six minutes from time for the fifth, and Tyrer maintained his 100 percent record with the boot to extend the winning margin to an ultimately convincing 22 points.

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