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Wakefield Academy 54 v Saints Academy 14

By Steve Sexton

This was always going to be a hard game as injury and illness torn Saints could only take 16 players to Wakefield.

It was a hard fought first half with Wakefield going 6 to 0 up after seven minutes through their right winger who scored again on 25 minutes to make it 10 to 0.

Saints never gave up and before half time a superb one handed flick out of the tackle by Tom Makinson put winger Scott Clarke over in the corner to make it 10 to 4 at half time.

At this point Saints looked like they could do it but being a player down cut out the possible substitutions and the overall energy levels were always going to be tested in the last quarter.

Saints Tom Makinson scored some 8 minutes after the break from a good pass having put in three superb tackles in the set before to keep Wakefield pinned in their own 40.

This was good rugby and the lads’ heads were up despite Wakefield hitting back with two tries relatively quickly taking the score to 24 to 8.

18 minutes into the half Saints replied with a beautiful try from our 30 m line with Lee Gaskell carving them up on a perfect line and finishing with good footwork and speed.

24 plays 14 and Wakefield scored on 20 minutes to go further ahead. From there, tiredness took its toll on Saints and Wakefield scored some good tries to finish with a real flourish scoring three in three Saints in the last 10 minutes.

Sadly there wasn’t enough gas in the tank from Saints to come back again against an older stronger side.

Hats off to the Saints forwards who grafted all match long with little support on the bench and a well done to the lads for holding them for so long.

For further details of the Academy, as well as the First Team, Reserves and Foundation, click here.