Jack Welsby drop goal seals golden point win for St Helens at Wakefield

A drop goal from Jack Welsby in golden point extra-time secured a 13-12 win for champions St Helens against rock-bottom Wakefield.

Jamie Shaul made his Wakefield debut after arriving on a season-long loan from Hull earlier this week. Meanwhile, St Helens stalwart Jonny Lomax made his 300th career appearance.

It was Wakefield who opened the scoring as new recruit Jorge Taufua scored his first try for the club.

Samoa international Mason Lino extended Wakefield’s lead midway through the first half with a penalty goal.

Willie Poching’s side got another in the 26th minute. Saints full-back Jack Welsby tried to keep a 40/20 attempt from Lino inside the field of play but instead knocked it back in the direction of Jack Croft who raced over for Wakefield. Lino couldn’t convert but Trinity were 10-0 to the good at the break.

Lino added a second penalty goal shortly after the second half restart to give his side a 12-0 advantage.

But champions Saints started to claw their way back into the game. Regan Grace scored in the 55th minute, with Lomax converting from out wide.

The champions levelled the score with just 10 minutes of the game remaining when Konrad Hurrell provided an assist for Jon Bennison to go over. Lomax added the extras.

Both sides had a number of attempts at drop goals late on but were unsuccessful, so the game headed into golden point extra-time.

And in the 84th minute, Welsby stepped up to slot the one-pointer and secure the win for Saints against a dejected Wakefield side.

Wakefield: Shaul; Taufua, Croft, Gaskell, Murphy; Miller, Lino; Whitbread, Hood, Arona, Ashurst, Tanginoa, Batchelor. Subs: Battye, Crowther, Fifita, Bowden.

Tries: Taufua, Croft Goals: Lino 2

St Helens: Welsby; Bennison, Hurrell, Davies,