Talking points from Saints' Magic win over Wigan Warriors

1. Never Write off the Saints.

The spirit of Chris Joynt’s ‘Never write off the Saints’ mantra lives on – and what a thrilling way to demonstrate that than Jonny Lomax’s last-minute winner over Wigan at Magic. The only way it could have been scripted better would have been by scoring in front of the Saints end at St James’ Park.

It was important to get the win, not simply because it was against them, 1 v 2 and it opens up a cushion at the top.

There was something else.

Having seen last year’s Magic game slip away in dramatic fashion, effectively handing Catalans the League Leaders Shield and then having Wigan’s late try knocking them out of the Challenge Cup semi final, it has been a case of turning of the tables being turned on Saints in some big games.

It was important to restore the natural order of it being Saints the team that never knows when it is beaten.

2. The anatomy of a perfect try.

If you are looking for incidents and highlights to snip and package up for social media to promote our game in the most positive and adventurous of lights, then then Jonny Lomax’s late winner was perfect.

There were so many excellent touches in that 13-second clip of magic as Saints let the ball rip from centre to the right edge and then back inside.

Lomax did not simply finish the movement – but also started it with his probe from dummy half committing the marker and allow half back partner Jack Welsby more time on the ball.

Defences have to take account of Welsby’s running threat but on this occasion he took it to the line and then whipped out a long ball that eliminated a couple more Warriors.

Jake Bibby flew up but Will Hopoate’s quick reaction to catch and pass in a split-second sent Joe Batchelor up a right-hand channel. Batchelor’s long stride ate up the yards but then he had a choice with Konrad Hurrell and Jon Bennison outside him.

Nobody would have questioned him had he done his bit by taking the obvious option to shift the ball right.

But in that instant, he must have weighed up the risks to the player hugging the touchline on play three, with the full back to beat and cover in the vicinity.

It was a bold move to dummy, and momentarily flummox Liam Marshall, cut inside and then have eyes in the back of his head to know Lomax would have been motoring up on hiinside. Absolute rugby league perfection – and one that many a fan has watched on a loop since Saturday.

3. Classy Will Hopoate.

It was pleasing to see Will Hopoate produce a top-drawer game on his latest comeback after the start to his Saints career has been plagued by niggly injuries.

In tough conditions, Hopoate was safe, solid and commanding at full back and led the way in covering the most yards on the St James’ Park turf.

But it was two classy touches with the ball that rightly caught the eye when the game needed to be won and Saints had to execute. We have already mentioned the second of those with his contribution to the winning score, but his perfect cut out ball to send Regan Grace over five minutes from time was equally as important.

Let’s hope Hopoate can stay fit and continue to bed in with Lomax and Welsby within the Saints brains trust.

4. Don't show them you're hurt?

Brad Singleton has been handed a three-match ban for his high tackle on Curtis Sironen.

The Wigan prop was sent off for the 65th minute incident – and had the card been yellow instead of red the Warriors would have had 12 players when Saints scored their last two tries.

It was crucial – but unlike last week, when Dylan Napa was let off with a yellow but handed five matches, this time Saints got the benefits of that punishment.

Wigan coach Matty Peet made a point after the game about players and physios “deciding when to stay on the ground”. He said it had crept into Wigan’s play as well.

And added: “If that’s the way we’re going to police the game, then that’s the danger.”

Now there’s a couple of things here. Sironen’s head, whether him falling or not was mitigation, copped a pretty solid shoulder to the head from the thickset front rower.

You would not expect him to jump up and be running around like a spring chicken after that. Going to ground, feeling pain or being momentarily dazed is not gamesmanship in itself – but there is no doubt that it has crept in.

Old school players used to pride themselves on not showing they were hurt, but the way the game is policed now then there is an incentive to do the opposite if the referee or touch judge has missed something.

Maybe the only way to stop this is to do one of two contrasting things. Either stop checking incidents on the screen – which is a bit like trying to put the Genie back into the bottle.

Alternatively, allow those watching on the screen to review incidences of missed serious foul play after play has continued and as long as it is within two minutes.

Obviously it would not be used to simply give a penalty, but if a particularly nasty crusher, high or late tackle has been missed then action would be better late than wating for the MRP.

5. Fun on the Tyne.

Every time Magic ends, there is usually a clamour from those who have enjoyed it to want to book it again. And the opposite cries from those who did not attend to give their two pennorth on moving it closer to home.

There are definitely more than a couple of schools of thoughts here from the fans. A significant chunk loves the weekend away on the Tyne and hated it when it was brought closer to home at Anfield.

But plenty of others – who are more interested in the action on the field - find the cost and distance prohibitive and would prefer the Etihad.

And there are others who would prefer the event to be a bit more evangelical in taking the game back to Cardiff and try and tap into potential rugby converts.

Each one has its merits, but it was pleasing to see so many folk having a good time on the Tyne.

After the tough few years we have had with Covid – and now doubt some tough years ahead with cost of living – it was a joy to see the rugby league community enjoying themselves. And that is what our sport is supposed to do for our communities.

6. We've got Joe Batchelor.

You may have heard – but we’ve got Joe Batchelor. Some players are late developers but the way the former Coventry and York Knights second row has kicked on under Kristian Woolf is remarkable.

Quite a few blokes will recall Joe when he first came to the club in 2019.

Back then, when he was patiently biding his time and not in the first team, he led Wednesday fitness sessions for middle aged Saints fans underneath the main stand.

Batchelor was no youngster then, having come a circuitous route to Super League, and he had Zeb Taia, James Bentley and Dom Peyroux in front of him in 2019/20. But injuries to Bentley and Joel Thompson allowed Batch to get his feet under the table – and he looks pretty determined to keep them there.

It is not simply effort, enthusiasm and hard work that has allowed him to kick on – he’s got the skills and finesse too.

The way he set up the Magic winner was one thing, but the presence of mind, confidence and skill he showed to drop the ball on to his foot to beat Jai Field for the first half try was equally tremendous.

He was a surprise choice for England last month – but if he carries on playing like this he would definitely deserve a place in the World Cup.