Super 8s: St Helens leave Castleford Tigers pointless in 26-0 victory

Ben Barba took his tally to 28 for the season with his double

Super League leaders St Helens warmed up for their play-off semi-final against Warrington with a one-sided 26-0 victory against Castleford Tigers.

Tigers, who take on Wigan in their semi-final having finished third, failed to register a point against Saints who delivered in the first half.

Matty Lees' first try for Saints and scores for Morgan Knowles and Ben Barba established an 18-0 lead at the break.

Barba scored his second after half-time, completing the try-scoring.

The double takes his personal tally to 28 for the season, in 22 appearances, before his departure to North Queensland Cowboys at the end of the season.

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This could end up being a Grand Final dress rehearsal, with league positions keeping the two play-off-bound sides apart in the semi-finals.

Saints saw their 2017 dreams ended by Castleford in a thrilling semi-final at Wheldon Road, but have won all four meetings with the Tigers in league and cup in 2018.

St Helens coach Justin Holbrook:

"It was never an issue but at least everyone now knows what where we're at. Benny's been great for us this year. He's finished as the top tryscorer and nearly at the top of try assists, he's definitely made an impact this year.

"It was an awkward game for both sides. Neither team were near their best.

"I'm happy with the performance, it was great to be able to keep them to nil and we can look forward to next week."

Castleford Tigers boss Daryl Powell:

"It was a disappointing performance from us. I thought we started well but then we made too many errors and physically St Helens were way too good for us.

"If we had played until Wednesday, I don't think we'd have scored. They defended well and our attitude wasn't where it needed to be. Sometimes that happens leading into a big game.

"But we'll be right next week, I'm confident of that, we've just got to make sure the team we know we can be turns up next week.

St Helens: Barba; Makinson, Morgan, Costello, Grace; Fages, Richardson; Amor, Roby, Lees, Taia, Peyroux, Knowles.

Replacements: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Douglas, Ashworth, Bentley.

Castleford: Mata'utia; Minikin, Webster, Roberts, Clare; Trueman, Gale, Watts, McShane, Millington, Wardle, Sene-Lefao, Massey.

Replacements: Milner, Clark, Maher, Laulu-Togagae.

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas (RFL).