Rampant Saints crush Giants in ruthless second half

St Helens continued their winning start to the Super League season with a big 40-12 triumph at basement side Huddersfield Giants on Thursday.

Huddersfield had belatedly celebrated their first win of the campaign against Wigan Warriors last week, but they were no match for the league leaders at John Smith's Stadium.

Lachlan Coote kicked well throughout - dispatching six goals - and Mark Percival scored a pair of tries, although the hosts were well in the contest in the opening 40 minutes.

Luke Thompson went over early on but Jermaine McGillvary responded, before Jordan Turner also touched down after Morgan Knowles' try for Saints.

80': FULL TIME: GIANTS 12-40 SAINTS It's all over here at the John Smith's. Thompson, Knowles and Percival set us on our way before the break. Grace, a second from Percival and Lomax added tries in the second half. A great win for the Saints! pic.twitter.com/zkV2PKAyKC

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 14, 2019

The sides traded goals, but Percival's first effort had Saints 16-12 up at the break and they accelerated out of sight following the restart against an injury-hit Giants outfit.

Percival pounced on a Huddersfield error to score again and kickstart a flurry of tries in a second half in which the hosts failed to register a point.

Regan Grace, Dominique Peyroux and Jonny Lomax all went over, with Turner then denied a late consolation as he stepped out of play before going over.