Bulls battered by Saints

Jamie Foster and Paul Wellens both scored two tries as St Helens saw off Bradford Bulls 28-16 in Friday's Super League action.

It was a first victory for Saints at their temporary Widnes home after defeats to Warrington and Harlequins earlier in the season.

Rising star Jonny Lomax was once again at the centre of Saints' best work following last week's dazzling display against Leeds.

But it was Bradford, fresh from their victory over table-toppers Castleford last week, who made the early running and saw Shaun Ainscough cross for the fourth time in five matches.

Foster slipped as he chased Marc Herbert's kick and Ainscough sped over with Patrick Ah Van kicking the extras from the touchline.

Stylish

Saints hit back in typically stylish fashion and while stubborn defence denied Chris Flannery, there was an element of luck about their first score, Lomax feeding Wellens whose poor pass bounced kindly for Foster to squeeze over in the corner.

Saints edged ahead for the first time when Wellens powered over in the 21st minute after good work from Lomax, with Foster kicking his side 10-6 in front.

Bulls almost levelled when Ainscough was unable to gather a long pass from Matt Diskin but the turning point came when Paul Sykes was sin-binned for holding down five minutes before the break, and Saints capitalised.

Back-to-back penalties enabled Wellens to cross for his second following a pass from Lomax and after Foster converted for a 16-6 half-time lead, Saints were at it again.

With the visitors still a man short, Lomax and James Roby combined for Foster to go over in the corner, and three minutes later Lomax was again the provider as Flannery made it over to leave the Bulls 20 points adrift.

But the Yorkshire side rallied bravely with Saints hit by yellow cards shown to Sol Soliola and Michael Shenton, Ah Van crossing in the corner on 63 minutes before Ainscough got his second of the night three minutes from time, Ah Van adding the extras.