Wildcats tamed by Saints

St Helens delivered a thrilling comeback on the back of a crucial Keiron Cunningham try to see off Wakefield 22-16 at Knowsley Road.

Veteran hooker Cunningham, making his 500th appearance for Saints, entered the fray with his side 12-0 down but posted a 60th-minute touchdown to help turn things in their favour.

Wakefield had posted two tries in three minutes early on, but Saints finally found their rhythm in the second half to sentence the visitors to their first loss of the 2010 season.

The hard-fought win marked a third successive triumph for Saints, who now sit third in the Super League table.

Wildcats roar

Dale Morton opened the scoring for the Wildcats in the 16th minute as Sean Gleeson and Tevita Leo-Latu helped him over at the corner, with Danny Brough adding the extras.

The visitors extended their lead just minutes later as Darryl Millard, fed by Aaron Murphy, powered over the line, with Brough's goal making it 12-0.

Saints finally made an impact on 27 minutes as Jonny Lomax took advantage of a long pass from Leon Pryce to storm over at the corner, with Kyle Eastmond's conversion cutting the visitors' lead to six.

The hosts really found their stride in the second half, though, as England half-back Eastmond evaded the Wakefield defence with a hand-off before sprinting to the corner.

He failed to add the extras but Saints continued their comeback to seize the lead on 49 minutes as Cunningham powered over for a trademark try, with Eastmond this time finding his target for the conversion.

Dominant

Saints continued to dominate and it was no surprise when Francis Meli took a pass from Paul Wellens on 57 minutes to grab a fourth try, with Eastmond's third goal making it 22-12 to the home side.

Wildcats refused to lie back and accept defeat as Australian centre Millard scored his second try of the night to narrow the deficit to just six points.

And although Cunningham came close to a second try for Saints in the closing stages, it was Wakefield that were the dominant force, with the hosts scrambling to defend onto their advantage.

The resolute home side managed to hold on, and their hard-fought lead was still intact at the final hooter.