12-try Saints crush Tigers

St Helens ran in 12 tries in a 68-22 demolition of Castleford to maintain their grip on the top of the Super League table.

Forward Tony Puletua crossed four times, the Kiwi effectively putting the game beyond doubt with a hat-trick inside the opening 15 minutes, while Jon Wilkin also helped himself to a treble.

Leon Pryce scored two tries as Saints revelled in the sunny conditions while veteran scrum-half Sean Long kicked 10 goals.

Castleford, already missing a clutch of players, endured further misery as rising star Joe Westerman was carried off on a stretcher with a serious-looking injury.

The 19-year-old loose forward appeared to go into spasms after colliding with a Saints player after 29 minutes.

The game was held up for 12 minutes as he was treated by at least eight medical or training staff.

Cas were already trailing 32-0 at the time after a stunning start by Saints.

Puletua, the impressive close season signing from Penrith, needed just 90 seconds to make his mark as he hit a Long pass at speed to touch down.

Castleford had still not had the ball in hand when Saints increased their lead three minutes later with Wilkin finishing off a slick move by scoring from a Pryce pass.

Puletua then carried three men over the line with him as he strode over for his second from 15 metres out after Saints had forced a drop-out.

Pounced

Cas had barely had time to draw breath before Ryan McGoldrick spilled a kick on his line and Puletua pounced to claim his hat-trick with less than a quarter of an hour gone.

Saints were in no mood to let up and claimed a fifth try when Matt Gidley powered towards the corner with an arcing run and put Ade Gardner over.

Wilkin then followed up his own kick for try number six with 23 minutes on the clock and the game seemed as good as over.

The game was delayed as Westerman received treatment but Saints were soon back into their stride as Wilkin sped in for his second.

Cas then finally enjoyed some possession and pulled a try back through Michael Shenton and Mitchell Sargent stretched over for another early in the second half.

Yet Saints were merely taking a breather and were soon scoring again themselves as Bryn Hargreaves forced his way over.

Kirk Dixon, who also kicked three goals, pinched a third Cas try but Puletua barged his way over from close range to bring up the half-century with his fourth of the afternoon.

Sione Faumunia gave the home fans something else to cheer but Wilkin eased away to complete his hat-trick and Maurie Fa'asavalu forced his way through late on to bring up the dozen.