St Helens made it three wins from three in a feisty encounter with Leigh Leopards to remain high of Tremendous League.
The groups continued their feud from final season’s Problem Cup semi-final as Leigh’s John Asiata was sin-binned after solely 40 seconds.
Asiata was later injured however the guests stayed in contact as Zak Hardaker replied to Jack Welsby’s attempt.
Saints upped the strain within the second half for Tommy Makinson to attain, and Mark Percival’s penalty kick sealed it.
These two sides performed out three tight, tense Lancashire derbies final season, with the Leopards profitable two, together with that fractious semi-final on their method to Wembley glory.
Hostilities had been resumed from the primary whistle as Asiata scythed Sione Mata’utia’s legs from beneath him, leading to a melee of gamers, with Asiata additionally going face-to-face with Morgan Knowles.
The Saints ahead was considered one of 4 gamers injured in tackles by Asiata in that semi-final, resulting in a rule change by the RFL, however this time the Samoan was despatched to the sin-bin.
Leigh defended stoically and attacked expansively with 12 males, however Saints are in no temper to be also-rans once more after seeing Wigan Warriors finish their run of 4 consecutive titles, and Matt Whitley despatched Welsby over to interrupt the impasse.
Brad Dwyer’s unimaginable deal with denied wrecking-ball Konrad Hurrell a attempt to preserve the half-time rating to 4-0, and that paid off with their first assault of the second half.
Ben Nakubuwai made the half-break and after Welsby managed to maintain out Gareth O’Brien, Hardaker crashed over to stage.
Saints, nevertheless, are exhibiting sturdy indicators that they’re a tighter, simpler unit this season, and so they stepped up a gear to go away Leigh winless this season.
Inside three minutes, Hurrell was at it once more, drawing in 4 tacklers and slipping an offload that despatched Lewis Dodd by a depleted defence.
He had Makinson in assist, and his attempt between the posts meant Percival had a simple conversion, to which he added a penalty to present his workforce a cushion.
Asiata ended the night time on crutches with a torn calf muscle, and Leigh additionally misplaced winger Tom Briscoe with an identical harm to spherical off a disappointing night time.
St Helens head coach Paul Wellens stated:
[On John Asiata’s tackle] “I used to be a little bit bit shocked.
“I used to be informed final 12 months that these tackles weren’t unlawful, which I needed to settle for, and now we all know they’re unlawful, and the choice was made. From my perspective and the workforce’s perspective, we simply transfer on.”
[On St Helens’ performance] “I believed we had been gutsy in durations.
“I by no means felt prefer it actually obtained going. We had been scrappy at occasions and the circumstances did not assist that.
“I did not like the best way we began the sport. I believe there was a sense that it was simply going to occur, however groups aren’t going to come back right here to put down and have their bellies tickled, and we have got to know that and rise to the problem.
“I believe there have been components of our greatest tonight, however we’ve got obtained to do it extra constantly.”
Leigh head coach Adrian Lam informed BBC Radio Manchester:
“No two factors, however I used to be very happy with our braveness with so many issues that went towards us tonight.
“We hung in there and gave ourselves an opportunity to win with quarter-hour to go.
[On Asiata’s tackle]: “I believed his first level of contact seemed completely fantastic and sliding down, however in all probability did not end at one of the best angle, however that is the game, you make errors.
“Development from final 12 months with that rule must be {that a} penalty is enough. You do not have to sin-bin the participant to make some extent, let’s preserve the gamers on the sector.
“It appears to be like like he is torn a calf, and I do not know if going off performed a component.”
St Helens: Welsby, Makinson, Hurrell, Percival, Bennison, Lomax, Dodd, Walmsley, Clark, Mata’utia, Whitley, Sironen, Knowles.
Interchanges: Mbye, Bell, Wingfield, Delaney.
Leigh: O’Brien, Briscoe, Hardaker, Leutele, Charnley, Moylan, Lam, Hughes, Dwyer, Mulhern, O’Donnell, Halton, Asiata.
Interchanges: Norman, Davis, Nakubuwai, Trout.
Sin-bin: Asiata (1).
Referee: Liam Moore.