Saints run in eight tries
St Helens ran in eight tries to beat 12-man Catalans 42-12 in Perpignan.
Last Updated: 20/02/10 11:41pm
St Helens ran in eight tries to beat 12-man Catalans Dragons 42-12 in Perpignan, a result which leaves the French club without a point from their first three matches of the new Super League season.
It was the Dragons who nevertheless made the stronger start, with centres Setaimata Sa and Chris Walker both marking their home debuts with tries inside the first nine minutes.
France captain Olivier Elima, who was leading the Catalans in the absence of the injured Thomas Bosc, was then sent off midway through the first half for a foul on Saints winger Jonny Lomax
His side were leading 8-4 at the time and Elima's departure proved the major turning point.
Lomax, deputising for injured England winger Ade Gardner, had by that stage already scored and his second of the season after 24 minutes levelled the scores.
Kyle Eastmond kicked the first of five successful conversions to edge Saints 10-8 in front and from that point on the visitors never looked back.
They led 18-8 by half time after left winger Francis Meli and centre Matt Gidley had both touched down.
And there was no way back for the Dragons when prop forward Maurie Fa'asavalu, Eastmond and Meli added further tries within 11 minutes of the restart.
All were converted by Eastmond, to push the score out to 36-8.
Gidley added his second and Saints' eighth just before the hour before Walker claimed his second try five minutes from the end to register some consolation for the home side.
