Saints go three from three in the Betfred Super League against a battling Wakefield Trinity
- Super League Raw
- Mar 3
- 5 min read
Wakefield Trinity 6 - 26 St Helens
Paul Wellens could not have asked for a more favorable beginning to the 2025 Betfred Super League season. With an impressive 154 points scored and only 12 conceded, his team currently sits at the top of the standings after three rounds. While the scoreline suggests a comfortable victory for the former champions, the reality was quite different, as Wakefield Trinity demonstrated remarkable heart and commitment from the very first minute.
Let's take a look back at the game:
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The Coaches Post Match Reaction
Daryl Powell
Paul Wellens
Social Media Reaction
Wakefield Trinity
From a Saints Fan, Wakey took it to us today, some really great effort, you have have signed some great players and once they gel and get used to each other, other teams better watch out. Dave Harrison
The forwards in the main held their own against a very strong side. Unfortunately the back line offered very little creativity and made numerous mistakes and errors of judgment. Far too early to make wholesale changes and hopefully we can produce a better performance next week. Peter Wigglesworth
Very low completion in first half , from first set when we threw ball out wide and Johnstone gets tackled into touch on second tackle . We need to learn to get into the grind , finish sets , earn the right to play . Tactics all wrong with the ball . Some really silly stuff : short kick off and drop outs have got to stop . Look after the ball etc . As bad with the ball we were immense in defence with Hood and Lino leading the way . We looked after the Saints pack the pack. Ulele and Vagana looked every bit like SL quality. TJ had a day to forget . Maybe this was just the game we needed to realise the importance of respecting possession.
Philip Hulme
St Helens
Batchelor and Clarke unimpressed with their efforts. Typical early season game, loads of mistakes from both teams. Phil Legge
They've kept it quiet with Robertson all I heard and I parroted it all off season was we needed another centre. Hurrell has got a huge fight on his hands to get back in the team. He's a talent this kid. Mark Blackburn
Wakey fan here I come in peace we gave it a shot first half in my view we were in game. But second half you showed a lot of the class. Sailor was very impressive and Delaney was the best forward on the pitch. Some Classy play I have to take my hat off to ya! Tom Denton
The Final Word
Daryl Powell is acutely aware that his team is considerably behind the Saints in terms of both stature and on-field performance. Nonetheless, he must take pride in the effort demonstrated by his players on Saturday. His squad possesses the potential to challenge the top teams effectively and is likely to secure a few victories against them. However, Powell will be focusing on matches against teams projected to finish around sixth place and below, as he aims to position his team for a playoff run. While 2025 may be an ambitious target, the success of this season will depend on their commitment to supporting one another. If they can maintain that unity, the Betfred Super League will undoubtedly benefit.
St. Helens presents a markedly different team compared to the one that concluded the 2024 season. Their attacking structure appears significantly more dynamic, displaying undeniable potency. Paul Wellens, facing just 12 months remaining on his contract, entered the season under considerable pressure and expectations. While skepticism has been evident among fans for some time, it is clear that within the dressing room, he has earned the trust of the players. They are executing the game plans with precision and enthusiasm, showcasing their confidence and enjoyment of the process.
The forward pack appears well-prepared to challenge any opponent they encounter, with Walmsley performing at his penetrative best, Paasi delivering impactful performances, and Lees executing the often-overlooked tasks that are essential to the team's success. Additionally, George Delaney has adopted a more defined and aggressive approach. With a front row of such caliber, depth in the back row, skilled halves, and backs possessing remarkable speed, the Saints could potentially emerge as Wigan's most significant threat in 2025. While it may be too early to draw definitive conclusions, this weekend's match against the Robins will provide valuable insights into both teams' capabilities.
The Gladiators who took the Field
Wakefield Trinity
1 Max Jowitt
2 Lachlan Walmsley
19 Oliver Pratt
4 Corey Hall
5 Tom Johnstone
6 Jake Trueman
20 Mason Lino
8 Mike McMeeken (C)
9 Liam Hood
15 Caleb Hamlin-Uele
18 Isaiah Vagana
17 Matty Storton
13 Jay Pitts
Interchange
7 Oliver Russell
14 Thomas Doyle
16 Renouf Atoni
25 Jack Croft
Try Scorer: Vagana (27)
Tale of the Boot: Jowitt 1/1
St Helens
1 Jack Welsby
2 Kyle Feldt
26 Harry Robertson
4 Mark Percival
5 Jon Bennison
6 Tristan Sailor
7 Jonny Lomax (C)
8 Alex Walmsley
9 Daryl Clark
10 Matty Lees
11 Curtis Sironen
12 Joe Batchelor
18 Jake Wingfield
Subs (all used)
15 James Bell
16 Matt Whitley
17 Agnatius Paasi
19 George Delaney
Try Scorers: Welsby (8), Robertson (30), Clark (58), Feldt (67)
Tale of the Boot: Percival 5/6
HOW IT WENT DOWN: 0-2, 0-8, 6-8, 6-12, 6-14; 6-20, 6-26
Man of the Match - The Super League Raw Trophy
3pts - Harry Robertson
2pts - Jack Welsby
1pt - Isaiah Vagana
Half-time: 6-14
Referee: Liam Rush
Attendance: 7,604
Key Performance Indicators:
Most Tackles – Daryl Clark - 40
Top Tackle Busts – Kyle Feldt - 6
Most Carries – Jack Welsby - Alex Walmsley - 20
Most Metres - Jack Welsby - 133
Most Hard Metres - Alex Walmsley - 133
Most Clean Breaks – Kyle Feldt, Jon Bennison, Daryl Clark, & Jake Wingfield - 1
Most Offloads - Daryl Clark - 4
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