WELL, with only four regular league games remaining and an almost insurmountable six point lead at the top of the Betfred Super League table it looks like the league leaders shield is virtually sorted.
And didn’t they open that gap in style?
I called for the ruthless Saints we know in last week’s column after a few below par performances and they delivered in style.To chalk up 60 points with only six in reply, away at Hull FC shows the kind of performance it was…and no surprise title sponsors Betfred have the Saints as outright favourites to secure their fourth Super League Grand Final in a row.
It was the home side who actually opened the scoring in a game that both teams started with intensity, but it was the visitors who showed their class and superior attitude to the intensely hot weather - and our early pressure completely blew Hull away.
Speaking of the weather, wasn’t it perfect Saints conditions…hot and fast, perfect for the fittest and most skilled team in the Betfred Super League!
As for Hull, there are certainly major problems for Brett Hodgson, who saw his team concede 60 for the third time in seven weeks, and now sit in ninth place - and highly unlikely to make the playoffs.
Barring the early try conceded, it was a pretty clinical display by the champions, with some outstanding individual performance..non less than two-try hero Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook. You cannot help but love this guy… and at the ripe old age of 36 he still continues to show his passion for the game, twice putting himself in the mix to cross the whitewash.
Another packman, Agnatius Paasi was outstanding. I’ve spoke about this guy a lot in my column this year. I just love the way he plays, no nonsense, with high intensity and he’s smart too. He caused no end of trouble for the FC defence either through his offload or quick play the ball, often leaving defenders in his wake.
Another player deserving of praise was Will Hopoate. He’s had a tough opening year with injury, but looked like he enjoyed himself on Sunday. With some nice assists and a try himself, hopefully Will can now kick on as we come to the business end of the season.
Next up for the Saints are the team from the east side of Hull, Hull KR.
Rovers come to the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday evening, and like their neighbours are entrenched in the mid-table battle for the 5th and 6th spot. The Robins currently sit in 8th position, and also look very likely to miss out to Castleford, Leeds or Salford for the remaining two places.
I cannot see past a convincing home triumph and will go for a win by more than 30 points (5/4 at Betfred).
Unsurprisingly we are evens favourites with Betfred to win the Grand Final, with Wigan 5/2, Catalan 11/2 and both Leeds and Huddersfield 12/1, with 16/1 bar.
I’d just like to wish a speedy recovery to two of our young Saints who have picked up some nasty injuries in the past few weeks.
Daniel Hill got a shoulder injury on debut in the win over Castleford, and Matty Foster who will be out with a reoccurring ACL injury after damaging his knee again on his return. RL can be a cruel sport at times, and shows what players put their bodies through for the sport we love.
It has been great to watch some of the young Saints really shine this year and take their opportunities when given. Ben Davies and Jon Bennison have certainly done that, along with a player very highly regarded by coach Kristian Woolf, Jake Wingfield. Jake was named Man of the Match a fortnight ago against the Tigers and the 21 year old is certainly on the heels of the senior players for that starting jersey!
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