St Helens 48 Castleford Tigers 18: Problems continue for sorry Tigers as Saints ease to win

The Super League’s bottom side conceded nine tries as they were swept aside 48-18 by St Helens at Langtree Park to lose for a sixth time in succession.

With off-field problems at the Tigers, it has already been a trying campaign for the West Yorkshire club and coach Millward was visibly downcast after losing to his former club.

Millward said: “I think some players are a little bit disappointed with other players’ inability to stay consistent.

“I think some players are disappointed that they can show some facets that are quite appealing, but then others that aren’t up to scratch at times.

“If we get a bit of ball we can score some points but you have also got to defend when you don’t have the ball.

“The scary thing is that during the week it doesn’t seem like a team that is on a losing run.

“Some of the spirit – everyone is getting on and working together – is really good. It is not like I could say they are completely downcast and down and out – far from it. If you walked in there now you wouldn’t totally think we’ve been on the end of a loss.

“But putting all the facets of rugby league together on a consistent basis is our deficiency at the moment.”

Saints, despite a raft of injuries and yet more enforced changes, were never troubled by the Tigers.

Prop Josh Perry, now in his third season with the club, finally claimed his first two Saints tries, while fellow forward Joe Greenwood also went over the line twice.

Mark Flanagan, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Tommy Makinson, Adam Swift and Jordan Turner also touched down while Mark Percival kicked six goals from nine attempts.

Saints were without a host of senior players but two others, Jon Wilkin and Paul Wellens, led the team around well in their makeshift half-back roles.

“They (Cas) have had an unhappy time of late, a couple of unfortunate losses, so to start well and put that bit of doubt in their mind was always going to be beneficial,” said Saints coach Nathan Brown.

St Helens: Makinson, Percival, Turner, Jones, Swift, Wellens, Wilkin, Perry, Howarth, Clough, Soliola, Flanagan, McCarthy-Scarsbrook. Substitutes: Laffranchi, Greenwood, Walmsley, Tilley.

Castleford Tigers: Tansey, Owen, Shenton, Carney, Clare, Chase, Ellis, Walker, Clark, Mason, Holmes, Thompson, Hauraki. Substitutes: Huby, Emmitt, Massey, Martin.

Referee: R Hicks (RFL)