St Helens 26-22 Castleford: Saints stun leaders

St Helens 26-22 Castleford: Match Stats

St Helens tries:  Fleming (24), Douglas (26), Percival (34), Grace (68)
Conversions/Penalties:  Percival (24, 26, 34, 38, 68) 

Castleford tries:  Eden (7,58), Roberts (45,80)
Conversions/Penalties:  Gale (7,22,45)  

Match report

St Helens produced a stunning performance to pull off a well deserved 26-22 victory over Super League leaders Castleford.

Saints delivered a fine first-half display before holding off a spirited Tigers fightback to hand stand-in boss Jamahl Lolesi his first win since Keiron Cunningham's departure.

Matty Fleming, Luke Douglas and Mark Percival all crossed as the hosts took a 20-8 lead into the interval, while Regan Grace's try with 12 minutes left proved decisive.

Greg Eden and Ben Roberts both touched down twice for Castleford, who suffered only their second defeat of the campaign.

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Castleford had made an impressive start with Eden touching down following Paul McShane's kick, before Luke Gale added the conversion from the touchline.

St Helens had a golden chance to hit back minutes later but Fleming's pass to Tommy Makinson went sailing into touch with a clear run to the line.

The home side did find the try they were searching for after 25 minutes as Fleming made amends from his earlier mistake by powering into the corner after good work from England centre Percival.

Percival hit the conversion from out wide and slotted over another a few minutes later after Douglas barged over the line from close range.

It was 18-8 when Theo Fages dinked a delightful kick through for Percival to chase down before planting the ball down one handed.

The conversion was not a problem either and a further penalty just before the break gave Lolesi's side a 12-point buffer.

Castleford coach Daryl Powell got an immediate reaction from his half-time talk as Roberts spotted a gap in the Saints defensive line and had enough momentum to roll over the line. Gale added the extras from in front to put them right back in it.

It took another 15 minutes for Castleford's next effort but when it came Michael Shenton sent in Eden for his second try of the afternoon.

Gale missed his first goal of the game, leaving the Tigers two points behind.

Saints had chances to put themselves in the driving seat and Grace's brilliant run ended with him being hauled down inches from the line.

But the winger was rewarded with his first Super League try of his career on the next phase as he crashed over in the corner.

Percival landed the pressure kick to effectively seal the game, but there was still time for Roberts to collect a consolation try with 23 seconds left. 

Match reaction

St Helens coach Sean Long on his side's performance: "I'm really pleased with the effort and energy. The boys turned up and it was a short turnaround following the Good Friday game against Wigan. We found a way to win and Cas are a class team and to beat them is pleasing. I thought we could have closed this game out a bit easier but I can't fault the boys' effort, it was unreal."

Long on winger Regan Grace: "Regan was good. He's been working really hard and has pace to burn but has a lot to learn. He's taking his chance very well and he wants to work - and that's a sign of a good player.

"Every young kid thinks he's ready and we've give Regan a chance - and he's taken it."

Daryl Powell on Castleford's performance: "In the first half we just got beaten for attitude and energy. We started okay but their speed at the play the ball was far superior to ours.

"We defended well on our line but we made too many errors in posession. Weight of posession at Easter is always going to be crucial - and we were on the wrong end of it.

"We were just not right in between our ears today. I said to the boys at half-time that we needed to keep them out if we were to go on and win - but we didn't manage to do it."

Powell on claims that Grace had fumbled the ball over the line for the killer try: "The fans thought the try at the end was a knock-on. But it's a try isn't it? We have to improve and we will have to respond. The boys are disappointed. We haven't won here for a long time and we thought we could have done that today."