Paul Wellens was delighted by hat-trick hero Jon Bennison following St Helens’ 40-4 Betfred Super League play-off boosting win over Castleford.
Winger Bennison, who is making up for lost time, crossed twice in the first half and completed a first Super League treble after 63 minutes.
Tommy Makinson, in what could be his final home appearance in the Red Vee, added the seventh of his side’s eight tries a couple of minutes later.
“I am delighted for Jon,” said Wellens after Saints moved up to fourth with one game of the regular season remaining. “Jon has been a frustrated individual because he wasn’t in the team. But I stressed he had to be patient because it is not an easy team to get into. A couple of weeks back he got an opportunity and he has taken it with both hands.”
Lewis Dodd and Sione Mata’utia were also playing in front of their home fans for potentially the final time if Saints do not secure a home play-off.
“It was great to recognise Tommy’s contribution to this club over the years along with Sione and Lewis,” added Wellens. “If we do get the opportunity to come back here in the next couple of weeks, the night will be purely around performing, winning and getting into the next round of the play-offs.
“We wont have time to do the stuff we did tonight. What we saw I thought was lovely. You saw how much affection the fans have for those departing players. And we know behind closed doors how much we love and respect them and the sacrifices they have made to make this club successful.”
Castleford coach Craig Lingard spotlighted the performances of three Tigers teenagers as positives from his team’s defeat. Akim Matvejev became the first Estonian to play in Super League when he came off the bench for a senior debut. There was a try-scoring contribution from Fletcher Rooney – son of former Featherstone and Wakefield playmaker Jamie Rooney – while Jenson Windley added to his growing first-team tally.
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