St Helens 46-28 Catalans Dragons: Saints late show

Match stats: St Helens 46-28 Catalans Dragons

Saints tries: Fages (6), Walmsley (25), McCarthy-Scarsbrook (38), Lomax (59), Percival (74), Thompson (78), Morgan (80)

Saints goals: Percival (6,25,30,38,57,59,74,64,78)

Dragons tries: Horo (3,50), Walsh (16), Gigot (32), Myler (70)

Dragons goals: Walsh (3,16,32,70)

Match report

Mark Percival's 22-point haul ensured Saints edged out Catalans Dragons in a frenetic Super League clash.

The England centre kicked nine goals and went over for the decisive score in the closing stages as the home side ran out 46-28 winners.

The result was only made certain late on as Saints steamed over for three tries in six minutes.

Steve McNamara's Dragons were excellent value for the 28 points they plundered and but for a final-quarter collapse could have taken the win themselves.

St Helens put in a below-par first-half display but still had their noses in front at 20-18 and had enough in the tank to eventually steer clear of the plucky Frenchmen.

The Dragons scrum-half, Luke Walsh, put in an outstanding display against his old employers and had a hand in three Catalans tries, including a solo effort of his own.

It was Justin Horo who crossed first with a touchdown after he got in the end of Walsh's kick.

However, the Red Vee hit back three minutes later with neat try from France international Theo Fages after he was sent clear by the brilliant James Roby.

Catalans were doing all the running and had clearly come for the two points and when Walsh burrowed his way over, knocking Jon Wilkin and Jonny Lomax out the way in the process, they were really beginning to believe they could leave Merseyside with them.

But Saints hit back with Roby spotting a gap from dummy half to put prop Alex Walmsley clear.

The see-saw scoring continued as Walsh's kick was latched onto by Tony Gigot to level it.

Percival slotted a penalty to nudge Saints ahead before Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook walked over after Zeb Taia's classy pass.

The Dragons regained the lead on 50 minutes as Krisnan Inu crafted a superb opening for Horo, who did well to ground.

The conversion was missed by Walsh but at 22-20, the Dragons were deservedly in charge.

The pendulum swung back to Saints when Percival landed another penalty - his 500th point in Super League - and Ryan Morgan set up Lomax for a well worked try.

Richie Myler dragged Catalans back into it with a length-of-the-field effort and Walsh knocked over the conversion before Percival flew over in the corner for the game-winning try.

Luke Thompson and Ryan Morgan had the final say in the dying moments.

Match reaction

St Helens boss Justin Holbrook on his side's victory: "It was a danger game for us especially after our win (against Hull FC) last week. We had to earn the two points and they pushed us.

"They started well and we were not up to our high standards in the first half. We have to give them credit. I'm really happy with the way we finished the game off.

"We swapped the lead a few times and the boys did well to close it out.

"We have got some wins together and it's a big game next Sunday (against Wakefield) and if we can continue to improve then I would certainly back ourselves (in the play-offs).

"This win sets up the Wakefield one nicely."

On the solid partnership that is forming between Theo Fages and Danny Richardson: "Theo Fages is really taking more responsibility and Danny Richardson is still finding his feet but they are playing OK together. Theo is a key part of our team at the moment.

"Matty Smith could be back sooner rather than later. It could be a few weeks. It's (eye injury) improving a lot and he's back training."

Dragons head coach Steve McNamara on the game: "It was disappointing to lose the way we did. With eight-and-a-half minutes left we were two points down on the scoreboard.

"It was a real tit-for-tat game. We found ourselves in a position to win it and we have conceded a lot of points at the end which makes the scoreline look ridiculous. We let in some really soft tries at the end."

On signs of improvement: "We are going in the right direction and we know where we are for the rest of the season. We showed some good signs today, we have a short turnaround until we play Cas and we've got to be ready to go again."