Saints kept alive their top four hopes with a dramatic last gasp win over Wakefield.
Trailing 16-12 with just two minutes remaining Jonny Lomax pounced on a bouncing Mark Percival kick to snatch the win.
Saints had toiled against Trinity’s ruthless defence all night but a final moment of magic sealed a much needed victory.
Percival, who kicked the winning conversion, chipped ahead with seconds remaining to put Scott Grix under pressure.
But the fullback failed to deal with the ball with Regan Grace in attendance and Lomax touched down.
The game had been on a knife-edge throughout with Trinity shading it through the boot of Liam Finn.
He kicked four from six but it was his sixth effort, hitting the post, that handed Saints a lifeline.
The first half saw Wakefield lead 12-6 even though Saints had had most of the possession.
And their opener in the 11th minute was a simple one.
Following a break down the middle, Saints failed to deal with a innocuous kick on the last.
Grix putting it on a plate for Bill Tupou to put down under pressure.
Wakefield then extended their lead to six when Luke Thompson was penalised for a late push in front of the sticks.
But Just Holbrook’s men hit back through the genius of Danny Richardson.
He put in a fine 40:20 under pressure and then hit LMS on a great line to go under the posts.
Percival making it all square.
Saints came again and after Ben Barba split the defence to earn his side another set, Theo Fages almost put James Roby over.
Seconds later, the new signing chipped for Richardson to chase only for Wakefield to mop up and go the length of the field through Tupou.
Finn making it 12-6 at the break.
Wakefield were down to 12 men early in the second half as Dean Hadley was sent to the bin for a crusher tackle on Mark Percival.
But Saints couldn’t take advantage and their hosts extended the lead to eight points through Finn’s trusty boot.
Wakefield’s half backs then took control and it took until the hour mark for Saints to make any inroads into the their opponent’s 40.
But they made it count.
Alex Walmsley went close and on the very next set fired out a fine pass for Fages to scorch over.
Percival goaled but Finn then kicked his fourth two-pointer of the evening to take it out to 16-12.
Saints needed to create to pressure in Wakefield’s half but it looked a harder task when Trinity were awarded a penalty to the left of the sticks with a few minutes remaining.
But Finn’s penalty hit the upright, Saints went down the other end of the field and Percival produced his magic.
Saints gathered the restart but after playing out their set, Wakefield still had 25 seconds left to produce something spellbinding.
But Zeb Taia put Ben Jones-Bishop in touch to seal the victory.
Holbrook Pleased With Late Show
Saints hopes of a playoff semi final spot remain alive following the win over Wakefield and whilst it wasn’t good for the nerves, the result pleased Justin Holbrook.
“It was fantastic we came up with the win,” he said. “I thought it was a really good game of rugby league. Wakefield were outstanding and we fought all the way until the very end and got away with it.
“It was my second experience of never write off the Saints … we needed it, got it and I’m rapped.
“I thought we started to panic with 25 to go but settled down with 15 remaining. We kept coming and in the end came up with something to win it.”
He continued: “Theo Fages and Danny Richardson went ok I thought. Jonny Lomax did us a favour at the last minute moving into the centre and did well.
“I was also pleased for Matty Lees. He went well in a tough game to make his debut and I thought he did a really good job.
“I have watched him since I came here – and he stepped up and played four really good games in the Reserves so I thought he deserved his chance. He went well.”
The result leaves Saints in fifth position, a point behind Wakefield with the rest of Round 5 still to play.
“I am happy we are still alive with a couple of games to go,” Justin added. “The beauty of the Super 8s is that everyone plays everyone and for us to know we face Huddersfield next week and could be in a better position is exciting for everyone.”
Justin also announced that Alex Walmsley left the game late in the second half to return home as his partner was in labour.
Alex and Simone have had a baby boy and everyone at the club sends their congratulations.
Match Summary:
Trinity:
Tries: Tupou (2)
Goals: Finn (4 from 6)
Saints:
Tries: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Fages, Lomax
Goals: Percival (3 from 3)
Penalties Awarded:
Trinity: 7
Saints: 4
HT: 12-6
FT: 16-18
REF: Ben Thaler
ATT: 4,847
Teams:
Trinity:
1. Scott Grix; 5. Ben Jones-Bishop, 4. Reece Lyne, 18. Joe Arundel, 3. Bill Tupou; 6. Jacob Miller, 7. Liam Finn; 8. Anthony England, 35. Tyler Randell, 23. Keegan Hirst, 12. Danny Kirmond, 11. Matty Ashurst, 16. Tinirau Arona.
Subs: 17. Craig Huby, 20. David Fifita, 26. Chris Annakin, 32. Dean Hadley.
Saints:
37. Ben Barba; 2. Tommy Makinson, 1. Jonny Lomax, 4. Mark Percival, 28. Regan Grace; 6. Theo Fages, 24. Danny Richardson; 14. Luke Douglas, 9. James Roby, 16. Luke Thompson, 36. Zeb Taia, 20. Morgan Knowles, 12. Jon Wilkin.
Subs: 8. Alex Walmsley, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 18. Dominique Peyroux, 32. Matty Lees.
