St Helens 17 – 16 Salford

Moses Mbye kicked a drop goal to secure victory for St Helens and lift them to fourth place; Watch every match of the 2024 Super League season on Vscek, including the Magic Weekend, play-offs and men’s, women’s and wheelchair finals

Moses Mbye kicked the decisive drop goal as St Helens secured a 17-16 victory over Salford in a tense Betfred Super League play-off hopefuls game on Thursday night.

The teams were tied at 16-16 when the final whistle sounded in a controversial match at the Totally Wicked Stadium, in which four players were sent off.

But in the fifth minute of extra time, Mbye scored the winning goal for the Saints and sent their fans into a frenzy.

An unconverted try from Tommy Makinson and two free kicks from Marc Sneyd left the teams level at 4-4 at half-time, with poor discipline costing the home team dearly.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

St Helens beat Salford Red Devils with dramatic golden point

St Helens’ Joe Batchelor and Waqa Blake’s tries were then matched by Nene MacDonald and Ryan Hankinson, with the teams finishing normal time level.

It was a welcome win for St Helens, who now move back up to fourth in the table, ahead of Salford.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Morgan Knowles, Joe Batchelor and Oliver Partington were all sent off within 13 seconds at St Helens against Salford Red Devils!

History of the game

In the pouring rain it was St Helens who struck first: good field position gave them the lead and Makinson dived into the corner to take a 4-0 lead.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Tommy Makinson scored the opening try of the match to give St Helens the lead

The Saints’ outlook then looked brighter when Joe Shorrocks was sent off for a shirt-pulling foul on Daryl Clark, preventing him from scoring a try, but the Saints failed to turn the pressure into points.

Sneyd and his left boot then made their mark: a penalty made the score 4-2 with just over 10 minutes to go, another in the 34th minute brought the scores level at half-time.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Waqa Blake gave St Helens the lead again with this try early in the second half

The second half began in much the same way as the first, with Blake powering into the corner to put his side back in front, but after just five minutes Salford hit back with a controversial strike from Hankinson.

With the score at 10-10, Batchelor finished off a fine pass from Jake Burns and the Saints took a 16-10 lead, but when chaos broke out with yellow cards the game took a different turn.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The video referee deemed that Chris Hankinson touched the ball with his fingertips to score a try for Salford

Saints’ Morgan Knowles was shown a yellow card for a high kick, before his teammate Joe Batchelor was sent off for late contact, followed by the Red Devils’ Ollie Partington, who caused a brawl.

With St Helens reduced to 11 men, Salford seized the opportunity to strike, with MacDonald kicking into the corner and Sneyd adding extra time to make the score 16-16.

After the final siren, St Helens won the coin toss and elected to kick off in extra time with a golden point, showing patience with the lack of half-backs on the pitch.

After waiting for the right moment and assisting a brilliant counter-attack from Harry Robertson, Mbye placed the drop-goal and slotted it home, securing a landslide victory for St Helens.

What did they say?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Paul Wellens impressed by the character of his St Helens team

Saint Helena head coach Paul Wellens:

“It was a really grueling game. Neither team backed down, which is nice to see.

“I’m sure it was fun for the neutral players, not for the coaches.

“We want to get as high as possible.

“I spoke to the players, I don’t want to put too much pressure on them.

“This has been a very different year than what we are used to. There have been some adversities, some challenges that have really tested us.

“Today was a day of character, but it must remain that way until the end of the year.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Paul Rowley was proud of his Salford team but ultimately disappointed by the golden point defeat

Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley:

“Coaches see what the kids go through during the week.

“I’m very proud, but we expect to win, so we’re disappointed.

“The tackle on Deon [Cross] in the corner and then let the full-back get free 15 metres to launch himself towards the drop goal: these are moments, but win or lose, we will learn.

“That’s what the game is about. We have an extraordinary ability to bounce back.

“We don’t have crisis meetings. We learn lessons and recover.”

Watch every match from the 2024 Super League season, including the Magic Weekend, play-offs and men’s, women’s and wheelchair finals, live on Vscek or stream without a contract with NOW.