24 March 2023 , 07:29
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Paul Wellens hailed an “iconic” display from England prop Matty Lees as champions St Helens dug deep to beat Huddersfield.
The big front-row, 25, played the entire 80 minutes and made an astonishing 68 tackles in the 14-12 success at John Smith's Stadium. Saints needed to call on his huge stint after losing second-row Sione Mata’tutia to a head knock after just 27 seconds. Boss Wellens said: “I never thought anyone would have to play that long in the middle for us.
“But we needed to switch things after losing Sione so early - and I just never saw signs of Matty slowing down! I thought I might as well leave him out there. They've got a few days off now and they all need it but especially Matty. It’s not just racking up that number of tackles but kick-chasing their half-backs in the 78th minute the same as the first tells you everything about Matty.
“I think back over the history of Super League and James Graham and Stuart Fielden used to do that. That performance was as iconic as some of those. I singled him out in there to the rest of the lads. We love and respect him here. And it was a real tough win for us.”
Konrad Hurrell also immediately hit back from his red card shame. The big Tonga centre returned from a two-game ban following his dismissal against Leeds. He blasted through for one try and set up another for Tommy Makinson with a deft pass in a three-minute first half blast.
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England winger Makinson converted both to help deliver a 12-0 lead and back-to-back wins, Saints World Club Challenge hangover showing signs of being shaken off. Giants were missing six players, including talisman Tui Lololea, but they fought hard.
St. Helens Konrad Hurrell (middle) celebrates scoring his side's first try against Huddersfield Giants with Tommy Makinson (left) and Jack Welsby (PA)Ash Golding replied just before the break. Makinson added a penalty but Innes Senior’s 64th minute try, with Olly Russell adding his second conversion, set up a tense finish. Jake Connor came back from a seven-month knee injury to make his ‘second’ debut for Huddersfield off the bench. He had an instant impact but couldn’t get the killer blow as they suffered a third defeat in five games.
Giants boss Ian Watson handed debuts to Harvey Livett - who came off with a calf strain - and Sam Halsall while dropping Leroy Cudjoe and Jake Bibby after losing by the same scoreline at home to Wigan last Friday. He said: “I’m proud of the way we played and how we stuck in there right to the death. We were unlucky in some areas.
“We can be more clinical but that will come. We just need to be more patient. With Jake getting more game-time, he’ll get better. He added to us and I was really pleased. And we’ve Tui to come back, too.”