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Owen Dagnall (centre) celebrates the first of his two tries for Saints against Castleford
Betfred Super League
St Helens (28) 40
Tries: Percival, Dagnall (2), Feldt, Clark, Robertson, Sailor Goals: Feldt (6)
Castleford (0) 0
Owen Dagnall continued his impressive start in the Super League, scoring two tries as St Helens dominated Castleford Tigers to bolster their playoff aspirations.
The 19-year-old now boasts seven tries in eight appearances, highlighting a Saints’ performance at the Totally Wicked Stadium, which while dominant, was interspersed with errors. Dagnall punctuated the match with a remarkable solo effort for his second try.
St Helens secured their fifth victory in the last six games, surging ahead in the first half. Tries from Mark Percival, returning to the lineup, Dagnall, Kyle Feldt, Daryl Clark, and a stunning length-of-the-field run from Harry Robertson overwhelmed the visiting Castleford side.
The second half saw a rise in unforced errors from Saints and an improved showing from Castleford. However, Dagnall’s exceptional second try reignited the Saints’ attack, with Tristan Sailor adding another to compound the Tigers’ woes, marking their fifth loss in six outings.
This result propels St Helens past Leeds Rhinos into fourth position, determined by points difference.
After their five-game winning streak was snapped by a home defeat to Leigh Leopards, St Helens needed a decisive response, and a struggling Castleford proved accommodating.
Percival, absent due to illness in the previous match, marked his return with a well-timed run onto Moses Mbye’s pass for a try. Dagnall swiftly followed with a second when Sailor’s chip over the defense landed favorably for him.
The one-sided affair continued as Sailor broke through, delivering a backhand pass to Feldt for a try. Clark then exploited lax defense to score from the base of a scrum.
Castleford mounted an attack, but Josh Simm was denied a try after video referee Liam Rush spotted his foot in touch. Another Tigers’ attack led to St Helens’ fifth try when Chris Atkin’s kick was intercepted by Robertson, who sprinted the length of the field to score.
The stadium’s buoyant atmosphere waned as St Helens eased off, a recurring theme in their season. However, Dagnall sparked renewed energy by slicing through the defense and executing an ambitious kick into the corner, which he reached first, diving to score his second try.
Castleford faltered again, and two minutes later, Sailor capped off a fine performance by supporting an Ignatius Paasi break and scoring a try, with Feldt adding his sixth conversion.
St Helens coach Paul Wellens told BBC Radio Merseyside:
“It was a very professional performance from us. We started the game really strongly, and but for a 15- to 20-minute period after half-time when we got a little bit loose, it was pretty convincing.
“I’m happy, but I know we have to find those improvements going forward. The likes of Alex [Walmsley], Morgan [Knowles], Matty Lees and Daryl [Clark] are really doing a good job at this time of laying a platform.
“Obviously, you then need players to come on like Wingy [Jake Wingfield], George Delaney and Ignatius [Paasi], who impacted the game when they came on. Everybody played their part and that’s what you need.
“Defensively we were very connected and handled a lot of what was thrown at them – and Owen Dagnall and Harry Robertson came up with two special plays which would make any highlights reel.”
Castleford Tigers interim coach Chris Chester told BBC Radio Leeds:
“Saints were excellent in that first 40 minutes. We couldn’t match them physically. They were too fast and too strong through that middle third of the field.
“We lacked any real connectivity defensively, and that’s the frustrating thing. We found a bit of fight in the second half and kept them scoreless for 30 minutes, and young Cain Robb was outstanding for us when he came on. And I was proud of Andy Djeukussi’s debut as well, it was a tough gig for him.
“What disappoints me most is that when the chips were down and things were tough, we just didn’t have enough guys standing up.
“That’s frustrating because you could see in that second half that they care, but that’s where we are as a club, up one week and down the next.”
St Helens: Sailor; Feldt, Robertson, Percival, Dagnall; Lomax, Mbye; Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Sironen, Whitley, Knowles.
Interchanges: Paasi, Wingfield, Delaney, Burns.
Castleford: Rooney; Simm, Cini, Senior, Djeukessi; Asi, Atkin; Singleton, Lawler, Amone, Stimson, Mellor, Westermann.
Interchanges: Wood, Griffin, Robb, Hall.
Referee: Aaron Moore.
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