Saints Claim Win at a Cost

Star full-back Paul Wellens – who scooped a hatful of awards last season – was carried off on a stretcher with an ankle injury, while Willie Talau saw red after a punch on Tony Stewart.

Nevertheless, there was some good news for a St Helens side looking to repeat their success of 2006, particularly in the pleasing performance of new signing Mathew Gidley, who set up Ade Gardner for a try with a sublime flicked pass.

Lee Gilmour had opened the scoring for the home side before then, and added his second afterwards to put Saints in control of proceedings.

Talau made a positive contribution to the encounter when he touched down, and further tries from Jon Wilkin and Mike Bennett gave St Helens a commanding lead at the half-time interval.

Wellens touched down for Saints’ first try of the second half, before he left the field through injury, and James Roby wrapped up the scoring with a try from 40 metres.

Leigh scored two consolation tries before the end of the match, with David Alstead racing 80 metres to score before a second touch down from Sam Butterworth to bring some respectability to the final score.