Saints sink brave Barrow

Barrow put up a brave fight against St Helens but there was to be no giant killing as Saints moved into the Challenge Cup semi-finals for a record-extending 10th successive time.

Saints lost England scrum-half Kyle Eastmond to injury early in the match, and that seemed to have an effect on Mick Potter's men as they led by just 16-6 at half time.

That lead was cut to four points shortly after the restart when Barrow forward Ned Catic grabbed his second try - a carbon copy of his first after Saints wing Gary Wheeler dropped the ball on both occasions - but there was to be no fairytale upset.

Saints, who claimed first-half tries from Paul Clough (two) and Jonny Lomax, added further scores through James Roby, Lomax and Matt Gidley.

Yet Championship outfit Barrow, who have designs on a place in Super League, again illustrated the quality that saw them win at Castleford in the previous round.

Away fans

Backed by around 2,000 fans, the Cumbrians were impressive throughout but their resistance was broken in the 12th minute when Keiron Cunningham and Eastmond combined to send Clough over the line.

Eastmond added the extras but his afternoon ended in the 15th minute when he embarked on a strong run down the right channel and landed awkwardly, as he was tackled by Jermaine McGillvary and Jamie Rooney.

After Eastmond was replaced by Andrew Dixon, Saints were left stunned in the 21st minute when Rooney's high kick was spilled by Wheeler and Catic grounded the loose ball.

Rooney added the conversion and St Helens struggled to find any kind of rhythm as the visitors forced three consecutive sets in quick succession shortly before the half-hour mark.

Yet Saints hit them with a vicious sucker-punch in the 34th minute when Leon Pryce's astute pass sent Clough crashing over from close range.

Lomax added the extras in Eastmond's absence and, after Barrow went close through Michael Knowles, Saints added a third try in the 37th minute when Gidley sent Lomax diving over in the right corner.

Breathing space

Lomax failed to convert his own score from the touchline but St Helens' 16-6 advantage gave them significant breathing space.

However, another teasing kick from Rooney caused panic in the St Helens defence six minutes after the restart.

Wheeler was again culpable as he failed to catch the ball, allowing Catic to pounce for his second try which Rooney converted to cut the gap to four points.

Yet Saints stepped up a gear and in the 50th minute Pryce's fine pass sent Roby scuttling over from close range and Gidley put Lomax in at the right corner eight minutes later.

As Barrow began to flag, St Helens took advantage when Pryce sent Gidley galloping clear and Lomax landed his third conversion of the match.