ST HELENS coach Mick Potter singled out James Roby and Maurie Fa’asavalu for praise after they helped to orchestrate a record-breaking 44-18 demolition of engage Super League rivals Bradford Bulls.
Saints opened the scoring inside the second minute through Francis Meli but they soon found themselves on the back foot as the Bulls conjured a spirited revival which harvested tries for Glenn Morrison and Rikki Sheriffe.
Yet the visitors, strengthened by the introduction of hooker Roby and powerhouse forwards Fa’asavalu and Tony Puletua, hit back in style.
They claimed four more scores from Roby, Jon Wilkin, Chris Flannery and Kyle Eastmond to lead 28-14 at the break and never looked back thereafter.
Semi Tadulala’s 63rd-minute try proved little more than consolation for Bradford as Saints ran in three late touchdowns from Fa’asavalu, Puletua and Meli to complete an impressive eight-try haul.
“We decided to change it around in the first half and it certainly paid off,” reflected Potter.
“Robes showed how quick he is out of dummy half and can add some real value to our team off the bench. Maurie was also very good. He was dynamic and you wouldn’t want him running at you, let me tell you. I think he enjoyed his try there at the end and it was well taken.”
History was made at Odsal as the result gave Saints their 16th successive away win to smash Bradford’s record of 15 straight victories set in 1997.
These old rivals have enjoyed so many classic battles down the years but this encounter merely reinforced the gulf which has developed between them in recent times.
Potter played down the scoreline, insisting: “I don’t think it reflects how hard the game was. It was a very physical game and that’s the way Bradford play. It was hard for us.”
Potter revealed scrum-half Sean Long was missing due to a thumb injury while Wilkin suffered cramp during the game. Bradford coach Steve McNamara admitted few sides could have coped with St Helens during their devastating purple patch in the second quarter of the game.
“Bringing those players on certainly made a big difference,” he said.
“Fa’asavalu, Roby and Puletua were pretty immense and they had Paul Clough to come on as well. Saints had two red-hot spells, one in the first half and one towards the end of the game, but apart from that I thought it was a very even contest.
“We were in control for a large part of that first half and were very, very enthusiastic.
“For 25 minutes we were sharp offensively, defensively and controlled the game.
“But the arrival of Fa’asavalu, Puletua and Roby really seemed to be the catalyst for them.
“And they did what has made them the best side in the competition; they punished us for making mistakes.
“This is a harsh, cruel game and we need to learn lessons from it.”
McNamara reported injuries to Glenn Morrison and Julien Rinaldi which could rule both players out of Friday’s derby clash against Leeds at Headingley.
