Super League: Huddersfield Giants 0-28 St Helens – five-try Saints cruise home

St Helens made it two convincing wins from two matches to go top of the early Super League table with a comfortable victory at Huddersfield Giants.

Matt Whitley and Sione Mata’utia both went over to put Saints in control of the game in the first half.

Huddersfield had no answers, with full-back Jack Welsby adding a third try to put the result beyond doubt.

Jon Bennison and Morgan Knowles capped it off with picture-book tries in the closing stages.

Huddersfield had raised their supporters’ hopes by opening the season with a win away to last season’s surprise package Leigh.

But they were contained, ground down and then dismantled by a dominant St Helens, who began their campaign with a 40-4 victory over London Broncos.

Saints were ahead inside 10 minutes as they quickly worked the ball from right to left and Jonny Lomax’s smart kick was pounced upon by Whitley.

Giants plugged away but could find no weaknesses, their best move of the first half ending when the ball was worked wide to Adam Swift but he was crowded out by two markers.

St Helens were simply soaking up any pressure and probing effectively, and after Tui Lolohea tried to trap a Lewis Dodd high kick with his foot, and lost control, Saints were deep in Giants territory two minutes before the break.

They made no mistake with Mata’utia bouncing over the line and surviving a video review for double movement and Percival’s second successful conversion made it 12-0 at half time.

The visitors began the second half in similar irresistible fashion and launched a brilliant, flowing attack down the left. Daryl Clark swerved back inside and dabbed through a kick for Welsby to touch down.

Saints were in no hurry and allowed the opposition to break themselves on the rock of their defence, even when Clark was in the sin-bin for an obstruction.

They finished with a flourish, a one-handed looping pass from Tommy Makinson the centrepiece of another lovely move, with Bennison in acres of space to finish.

There was time for one more decorative touch, as Welsby injected pace into a marauding attack and fed Knowles for their fifth try.

St Helens next host Leigh on Friday, while Huddersfield visit defending champions Wigan on the same night.

Huddersfield Giants head coach Ian Watson:

“There was a lot to look about the way we were going about things. The (Mata’utia) try just before half-time was probably a killer blow.

“The last five minutes of the second half were obviously a little bit disappointing as well when we lost our way.

“But to be fair, the level of where Saints are, they’re a very good team, they’re very good at pinning you down and suffocating you, and I think that told in the end.”

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens:

“There was no real stand-out performer tonight and that’s a great sign. Everyone has contributed. It’s a sign of where we’re at.

“We are seeing signs of improvement, but again, after two rounds no-one is going to get carried away.

“We’re in a good spot at the moment. The playing group is feeling good and really excited about the way they have started and the weeks ahead.

“But we need to keep our feet firmly on the ground because tougher challenges await us.”

Huddersfield: Lolohea. Swift, Marsters, Naiqama, Wallis, Clune, Russell, Hill, Milner, Ikahihifo, Murchie, Hewitt, Cudjoe

Interchanges: Golding, English, Wilson, Salabio

St Helens: Welsby, Makinson, Blake, Percival, Bennison, Lomax, Dodd, Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Whitley, Sironen, Knowles

Interchanges: Mata’utia, Bell, Wingfield, Delaney

Referee: Aaron Moore.