Saints go two points clear

St Helens have moved two points clear atop the Super League table after scoring a comprehensive 42-10 win at Wakefield - their 17th successive victory.

Having booked their place in the Challenge Cup final after beating Leeds last weekend, Daniel Anderson's side returned to league action on Sunday and moved one step closer towards securing top spot ahead of the play-offs.

The visitors had the game wrapped up by half-time, with tries from Chris Flannery, Jon Wilkin, James Roby, James Graham and Paul Clough ensuring a 30-0 lead.

The icing on the cake came with Kyle Eastmond's individual try in the second half, the teenager showing blistering pace to race 80 metres for an outstanding interception try.

Standing in for Sean Long at scrum-half, the 19-year-old also converted all five first-half scores and his performance was arguably the highlight of an impressive victory.

In reaffirming their title credentials, Saints also condemned Wakefield to a fifth straight loss as John Kear's men suffered a serious hangover from their Cup semi-final loss to Hull.

They actually started the brighter of the two sides, but soon crumbled with Saints forging ahead when Eastmond's neat short offload found Flannery advancing forward at pace before bursting over the line.

Nine minutes later the visitors had their second try as another astute close-range pass from Eastmond ushered Wilkin over.

Spirit

Wakefield's spirit was lacking and St Helens took full advantage as Roby showed great strength to ground the ball from close to the line despite the close proximity of several home defenders.

Following a high kick from Eastmond on the half-hour, Graham reacted the quickest to touch down the visitors' fourth, the player virtually falling over the line to score after more dreadful defending from the Wildcats.

There was still time for Clough to claim a fifth Saints try two minutes before the break after taking a swift offload from Roby.

Despite the match effectively being already over, Wakefield started the second half a stronger proposition and scored their first try on 46 minutes when Danny Brough sent Brett Ferres over the line.

However, St Helens responded with the try of the match four minutes later as Brough's woeful pass was intercepted by Eastmond and the diminutive youngster gleefully accepted the invitation to sprint away from his pursuers.

He then converted his own try and, although Brad Drew replied with Wakefield's second score under the posts - Brough converting - Saints hit back with their seventh courtesy of hooker Keiron Cunningham.

With Eastmond having departed moments earlier to rapturous applause from the visiting supporters, Matt Gidley kicked the extras.

The only negative for Saints was Francis Meli being placed on report late on following a challenge on Oliver Wilkes.