Tiro Tyrer too strong for Giants

St Helens 54

Huddersfield 4

Half-time: 28-4

Att: 7,771

Saints' next generation played a major role as the reigning Super League champions moved two points clear at the top of the table.

Making light of difficult conditions, Saints produced some sparkling rugby with two teenagers, Matty Smith and Stephen Tyrer, doing as well as anyone. Smith, a 19-year-old stand-in for the injured Sean Long, had a hand in several tries. Tyrer, a year younger, scored two and landed seven goals to suggest that he could be the answer to any kicking problems at the club.

"Matty Smith's done a great job and Stephen had a wonderful game," said the coach who has brought them through, Daniel Anderson. "All they can do is take their opportunities and build up their credits."

Saints did the damage during what their coach called "an exceptional first-half performance". Willie Talau combined with Jon Wilkin to give them an early lead before Smith supplied the pass for Leon Pryce to go over. Rapid passing then gave Talau a try and Maurie Fa'asavalu drove over from Smith's short pass before Tyrer's touchdown from Talau's kick.

The only respite for the Giants came when Chris Nero scored from Brad Drew's kick. They are having a strange season, with nine defeats followed by seven wins and now five more losses in a row.

The only question in the second half was the extent of the hammering to be handed out. After Matt Gidley's marvellous flick-on set up Ade Gardner and Wilkin scored his second from Paul Wellens' pass, there were tries for Lee Gilmour, Tyrer and Wellens - his 18th of the season.

Tyrer nudged the ball ahead with his knee when he could not reach Gardner's pass. It was an evening when those kind of moves came off.

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