St. Helens has started the 2025 Betfred Super League season with a bang, securing their second victory with a resounding 46-6 win against Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle on February 22, 2025. This match showcased the Saints' offensive prowess as they ran in nine tries, affirming their position as top contenders early in the league.
Right from the kick-off, St. Helens made their intentions clear. Coach Paul Wellens was pleased with his team's performance, highlighting how challenging it is to win on the road, especially against Castleford’s home crowd. The Saints quickly established dominance, with Joe Batchelor scoring the first try just six minutes in, following significant pressure on Castleford’s defensive line. This was shortly followed by tries from Kyle Feldt and captain Jonny Lomax, pushing their lead to 14-0 within the first quarter of the game.
Castleford’s efforts appeared disjointed as they struggled to respond adequately to St. Helens' fast-paced play. Their only score came from Sylvester Namo, who powered over the line to bring the score to 14-6 before halftime. But even though Castleford had brief moments of competitiveness, they could not maintain their momentum, ending the first half trailing boldly.
After the break, St. Helens picked up right where they left off. Agnatius Paasi’s try early in the second half helped to stretch the lead, and the Saints' confidence surged. Young star Harry Robertson added two tries to his tally, demonstrating his growing reputation as he sliced through the Tigers' defense with apparent ease. Stuart Walmsley also got on the scoresheet, and Jack Welsby capped off the evening with another try, solidifying his role as the standout player of the match.
Welsby's performance caught the attention of many, contributing significantly to both the scoring and defensive efforts of St. Helens throughout the match. He managed to assist multiple tries and was pivotal during defensive sets, demonstrating versatility and commitment.
Meanwhile, Castleford's coach Danny McGuire reflected critically on his team's performance. "I thought we had a period of five or 10 minutes when we were OK, but the rest of it we were soft. I can't really see there are many positives. We have gone backwards again," he stated, emphasizing the need for consistency as they move forward. This loss follows their narrow defeat against Hull KR the week prior, compounding their challenges early in the season.
St. Helens’ emphatic win puts them at the top of the Super League table on points difference, signaling their aspirations for the season after finishing sixth the previous year. Their next fixture is against Wakefield Trinity, where they will look to continue their scoring spree.
With the Saints now having scored 128 points over two games, they appear poised for success, setting the stage for what could be another thrilling rugby league season. It's evident there is much work to be done for Castleford, who must regroup and take harder lessons from their disappointing home opener.
All eyes will be on both teams as they prepare for their upcoming matches, with heated rivalries igniting as the season progresses.