John Asiata was sin-binned after just 41 seconds as tries from Jack Welsby and Tommy Makinson secured hosts St Helens a hard-fought 12-4 Betfred Super League win over Leigh.

The Leopards captain, who was slammed by Saints boss Paul Wellens for his tackle technique in last season’s Challenge Cup semi-final, was issued his quickfire yellow card for a low tackle on Sione Mata’utia.

Leigh hung in despite Welsby’s opener, and briefly levelled the scores early in the second half through Zak Hardaker before Makinson’s spurt clear and four points from the boot of Mark Percival saw Saints home.

The visitors’ hopes of kick-starting their campaign after their opening day loss to Huddersfield looked in tatters when Asiata’s early challenge sparked a mass confrontation and left them with the numerical disadvantage.

Saints’ anger was palpable in light of Asiata’s antics in the Cup match in July which left four Saints players nursing injuries – one of whom, Agnatius Paasi, is yet to return.

Wellens had then described Asiata’s tackling as “reckless and dangerous”, and accused the RFL of failing in their duty of care for neglecting to charge the player, although the rules were subsequently amended in the off-season.

Asiata’s night to forget was complete just five minutes after his return when limped off with a bad-looking injury, in a further blow to the visitors’ hopes of gaining a stranglehold.

The hosts finally broke the deadlock on the half-hour when star man Jack Welsby nipped onto the end of a smart move sparked by Lewis Dodd, Percival unable to add the extras despite thinkign the kick had sailed over.