Archive August 17, 2025

Betfred Super League

St Helens (24) 52

Tries: Percival (2), Feldt (2), Sailor (2), Dagnall, Lomax, Knowles, Goals: Feldt 8

Huddersfield (4) 4

Tristan Sailor delivered a virtuoso performance, scoring two tries and setting up two more, as St Helens dismantled Huddersfield Giants to move up to third in the Super League table.

A superb individual showing from the 27-year-old Australian, who now has 15 Super League tries this season, added glitter to an eighth Saints win in nine outings.

It was a victory to serve notice that Paul Wellens’ improving side will prove a significant barrier in this sort of form whoever they face in the play-offs.

Saints are now just two points behind second-placed Wigan with five games left in the regular season and, in bright sunshine at the Totally Wicked Stadium, the result was never in doubt.

They were on the board early after a Sailor burst fed Daryl Clark, who in turn put in Mark Percival after nine minutes.

But it was a yellow card for Giants centre Taane Milne in the first half which opened the floodgates.

Milne was penalised for a shove and some verbals, and while he stewed on his indiscipline on the bench, Saints ran riot, extending their lead from 6-0 to 24-0 with tries from Kyle Feldt, Sailor – who picked off a high ball brilliantly – and Owen Dagnall.

Huddersfield were troubled by Sailor’s lightning pace all afternoon and, while Joe Greenwood burst through Jonny Lomax to get the Giants on the board seven minutes before the break, Saints returned after it in irrepressible form.

Sailor assisted Lomax in the opening minute of the second period, Morgan Knowles spun over the line from close range and Percival added a second on 55 minutes as Saints went 42-4 up.

After Feldt went over, Sailor saved the best until last, securing his second and Saints’ ninth try, with a blistering 60-metre charge, rounding full-back George Flanagan to go down under the posts.

Feldt kicked the extras to make it a near-flawless eight out of nine.

Further good news for Saints was a 30-minute appearance off the bench for Jack Welsby, as well as the return of long-term casualties Joe Batchelor and James Bell from injury.

Welsby suffered a serious knee injury at the beginning of June, undergoing surgery which medics expected to keep him out of action for 16 weeks, threatening his entire season and probably his participation in the Ashes against Australia this autumn.

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens told BBC Radio Merseyside:

“We scored a few nice tries but probably left a few points out there as well, not nailing a couple of breaks which in bigger games moving forward [we have to].

“We’ve got to nail that last pass because when you get to play-off time your are not going to get 15 opportunities a game, you might get two or three and that’s the reason we’ve got to improve.

“From two to eight [in the table] it is quite congested, so you are looking up, your looking back and to the sides. There are a lot of variables and it makes for a really exciting end to the season.

“I’m just delighted we have put ourselves back in a strong position.”

Huddersfield Giants head coach Luke Robinson told BBC Radio Leeds:

“They are one of the most physical packs and a very difficult proposition to go against. We didn’t win the physical battle, both with the ball and without it.”

On Taane Milne’s yellow card: “There were a lot of slowing down in the ruck and he was getting frustrated, but from a coach’s point of view he has hurt us more than the referee not giving the decision. I understood his frustration, but you can’t do it.

St Helens: Sailor, Feldt, Robertson, Percival, Dagnall, Lomax, Mbye, Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Batchelor, Whitley, Knowles

Interchanges: Welsby, Bell, Paasi, Delaney

Huddersfield: Flanagan, Halsall, Bibby, Milne, Gagai, Rush, Frawley, Rogers, Woolford, Powell, Greenwood, Rushton, Cudjoe

Interchanges: Golding, English, King, Wilson

Sin bin: Milne (18 mins)

Sonny Baker has a lot of words to say.

England’s newest pace bowler had to hold his own against James Anderson, who was a Hundred team-mate for a month.

He tells BBC Sport, “I’ve been fairly conscious.”

I’ve been trying to ease him into that rather than just spray him right away because I know I ask a lot of questions.

For once, Baker was truly tongue-tied when the 22-year-old woke up on Friday morning from an unknown number that later became clear to be England coach Brendon McCullum, who was about to give him his first international call-up.

I assured him that I’m typically more talkative than this, “I said to myself.” I’m just a little perplexed by words,” Baker says.

Baker’s bowling is currently speaking.

His steady rise was accompanied by a hat-trick for Manchester Originals against Northern Superchargers on Sunday, but he does not like to talk about fast bowling.

The fast bowler is a self-proclaimed bowling nerd, whether it is through tactics, mechanics, or how to look after his body.

It occasionally pushes the limits.

In an effort to prevent back stress fractures that plagued his early career, he consumes bone broth daily.

He claims that boiling water, similar to a slow cooker, simply removes the minerals from the bones. Collagen is also present there.

It tastes quite good if you add some black pepper or some other ingredient, such as root vegetables.

“I believe it has significantly changed,” he says.

At age 17, Baker considered becoming a teacher after suffering his first stress fracture.

A five-wicket haul a week later gave Division One its debut in April. Baker has since really caught the eye while playing for the Manchester Originals in The Hundred.

No other bowler, not even England’s Jofra Archer, has ever scored more balls at 87mph than Baker, which makes the youngster smile. No one else, not even Baker, was hopping when Baker opened with five consecutive dots.

According to Baker, “It’s what I find enjoyable about the game.” “I almost understood that because of the injuries I’ve had.

“Some days you’re going to run, and it’s much simpler if I bowl 70-mph nibblers,” said one player.

“I could see where it’s going, balls wouldn’t be edged to four, I would aim for much less, and I wouldn’t feel like such a wreck.”

However, you wouldn’t have those instances where everyone starts yanking the ball at the wrong time. Come out of the bar and watch, then let’s go.

“It’s the trade-off, isn’t it?” I am aware that it is likely to result in more injuries. With that, I’m at peace.

When it comes to fulfilling Baker’s thirst for knowledge, others have not been as fortunate as Anderson.

He continues to be resurrected and entertained, as did Pakistan’s quick Wahab Riaz during The Hundred in 2022.

One of Australia’s fastest bowlers, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait, was also tracked down and called using his contacts.

He claims that earlier in his career, I had no idea what answers I was trying to get. I had not asked questions just for the sake of asking.

Baker credits his education with helping him take notes frequently.

He had his first stress fracture when he was looking for a university in Oxford to study biology, and he now records analysis of opposition batters in a little book along with future plans and hopes.

According to Baker, “I’ve just found it keeps me engaged in the analysis stuff and makes me remember it really well.”

“Winning the wrong bowl would be an absolute nightmare if you’re not entirely sure whether you’re supposed to bowl wide or straight.”

At the end of the game, you can’t really justify that to yourself.

According to The Hundred, Baker’s notebook already contains a page with the title of an Australian great.

When Welsh Fire hosted Manchester Originals last Monday, three of the 12 balls that Baker bowled to Steve Smith resulted in a false shot were three of the four.

Writing notes on Steve Smith and asking, “Am I actually going to start the bowling at him?” has been surreal. Baker replies, “Baker says.

However, Baker now maintains this brand, and he has spent the past two winters in Australia, recovering from his most recent back injury in Sydney.

Another is likely to occur this year, with the young quick expected to shadow the Test team during the Ashes series against the Lions.

Anything can start there.

England has made its Test debut down under with far more unlikely names than ever.

That would be fun, wouldn’t it, I mean? Baker replies, “Baker says.

I’d definitely return to that analysis if I ever need it because Steve Smith is one of the greatest red-ball GOATs[greatest of all-time].

“But let’s focus solely on the upcoming games.” Don’t let this be a habit.

Jacob Ramsey has been signed by Newcastle United for $40 million.

The 24-year-old is the Magpies’ fourth addition of the summer and has a five-year contract.

It didn’t take long for me to decide, Ramsey told the club website. “This is a big decision for me, but once I knew the gaffer was interested and really liked me, it was easy.”

“The Villa team is always playing a tough game against Newcastle because the fans are so passionate and the team is always so energetic. I’m excited to be on the other end of it now because I think my game will fit that.

Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle, said, “Jacob is yet another fantastic addition to our squad.”

“His attributes will give us something new on the pitch,” he said, “and he fits the profile of being young, eager to develop, and also having won many Premier League games.”

Jacob is versatile, and his directness in the attack has recently proven to be a real threat at this level. We think he will be a big help to us because of his excellent performance in the Champions League last year as well.

The coaching staff at Newcastle United “loved” Jacob Ramsey “from afar.”

It’s not difficult to see how the 24-year-old develops further under Eddie Howe because of Ramsey’s athleticism, versatility, and desire to improve.

Ramsey, a six-year-old boy who has been a fan of Aston Villa, will have felt this way.

However, the midfielder’s mention of Howe’s appeal after completing his move to St James’ Park made me feel instructive.

After working closely with Howe and his staff for a while, Anthony Gordon, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall, and Tino Livramento all transitioned to full English international status.

Do not rule out Ramsey joining the quartet in this way.

Given the depth the club will need to battle on four fronts this season, it may be well-stocked in the middle of the park and out on the left.

Howe has now signed Aaron Ramsdale, Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw, and Anthony Ramsey to bolster competition in some key areas despite a stumbling start to the season.

However, the one area that needs to be addressed is right away.

After Callum Wilson’s departure last month, Newcastle already needed a goalscorer, so Anthony Gordon was given the task of starting the line in Alexander Isak’s persistent absence.