Saints hold off Giants to go top of Super League
St Helens have secured nine victories in their first 11 Super League matches this season.
Tries: O'Donnell, Swift, Evalds Goals: Russell 3
Tries: Robertson, Murphy, Dagnall, Delaney Goals: Hastings 5
St Helens managed to withstand a second-half resurgence from the Huddersfield Giants, the league's bottom club, to claim the top position in the Super League standings.
Paul Rowley's team now leads by two points over Leeds Rhinos, who can reclaim first place with a win against Wigan Warriors on Friday.
Following a disappointing 32-0 defeat to rivals Wigan in the Challenge Cup semi-final five days earlier, Saints relied on four first-half tries to achieve their ninth win in 11 Super League matches.
The visitors appeared set for a commanding victory after leading 24-0 at halftime, with tries from Harry Robertson, Lewis Murphy, Owen Dagnall, and George Delaney capitalizing on numerous Huddersfield errors.
However, Huddersfield improved significantly after the break, posing a threat with tries from Asher O'Donnell, Adam Swift, and Niall Evalds.
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The Giants' players drew encouragement from their improved second-half performance, despite being booed off by some home supporters following a poor first half that contributed to their fourth consecutive Super League defeat.
Saints established control early with two tries in the opening 10 minutes. Jack Welsby exploited a large gap in Huddersfield's defense to set up centre Robertson for the first try. Shortly after, a handling error by Lewis Jagger in his own half allowed Murphy to score in the corner.
Following this, winger Dagnall received a pass from Welsby to dive over for another try. Just before halftime, another Huddersfield mistake—Tui Lolohea sending a goalline drop-out out on the full—resulted in Delaney scoring.
Oliver Russell's 40/20 kick set up Huddersfield's first points after the break. Saints failed to secure Lolohea's lofted kick, allowing O'Donnell to recover the loose ball and score.
Ex-Saint winger Swift and full-back Evalds each scored further tries, with a Jackson Hastings penalty goal for the visitors between them.
Those additional two points proved crucial, ensuring Huddersfield remained more than one score behind despite sustained pressure late in the game.
Team line-ups
Huddersfield: Evalds; Swift, Gagai, Jagger, Kershaw; Lolohea, Russell; Rogers, Woolford, Powell, O'Donnell, Patolo, Rushton.
Interchanges: Geyer, King, Milne, English.
St Helens: Sailor; Dagnall, Robertson, Cross, Murphy; Hastings, Welsby; Walmsley, Clark, Klemmer, Wright, Whitley, Shorrocks.
Interchanges: Delaney, Lomax, Davies, Sironen.
