Saints defeat Wakefield 42-12 in Jon Wilkin's testimonial match (From St Helens Star)

Saints beat Wakefield 42-12 in Jon Wilkin's testimonial match

7:20pm Sunday 20th January 2013 in Latest News

SAINTS played some nice football in seeing off Wakefield at Langtree Park in a match played in aid of Jon Wilkin's testimonial.

Although Wakefield's left hand gang of Ali Lauitiiti and Reece Lyne caused Saints some problems, once they dealt with that there was always only going to be one comfortable winner.

The game saw many pleasing features, not least the way Lance Hohaia has slotted back into his former role of off the bench dummy half.

New signing Willie Manu, too, impressed grabbing a try and putting in some solid shoulder contact. Up front Saints pack dominated their opposites, with fit again Josh Perry putting in a solid shift after missing last week.

James Roby opened the scoring and he was followed over the whitewash by Manu.

Although Isaac John grabbed one back after good work from Lauiatiiti and Lyne on the left, the remainder of the game was largely all one way.

With the ball Saints' timing with the ball improved the longer the game went on.

Skipper Paul Wellens collected Wilkin's pass to make it 16-6 at the break.

Hohaia, on for Roby at nine, wasted no time in the second half in stamping himself on the game.

He went in from dummy half and then intercepted, offloaded to Wilkin, before collecting the return pass, keeping his composure to spread the ball right for Ade Gardner to go in at the corner.

Wellens and Gardner completed their braces, with Gaskell nipping in from close range to conclude the home side's scoring.

Lee Smith slipped off a tackle late in the game to grab a consolation score for the Wildcats, but overall Saints can be impressed with the way their off season is coming together.