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If you were one of those misguided souls who thought you only get blood and thunder derby’s at first team level, then this match would have put you straight. Despite trailing for most of the game the Junior Academy showed the nerve and resolve so often shown by the first team to claw themselves back into and eventually win this game.

 

The home side, out for revenge after we turned ‘em over earlier in the season, were quick out of the blocks and were 4 – 0 up after only two minutes. The lead was increased to 6 with an easy penalty before the pack finally started to get into the game. Lacking Big Frod due to his call up to the U21’s (apparently he was feeling a little stiff today, can’t think why!) it was left to Yatesy to lead the line and give the back row the space to move. Leading by example he and his fellow front rowers started to make some yards and a great kick from Jamie Ellis to the sticks was forced dead for a repeat set.

 

Yates, and the awesome Magennis drove to the line. On the last Gaz Wheeler kicked to the right corner where Foz rose above the defence to claim the ball and score. His conversion levelled matters. Wheeler was finding more space by now and chipped over the defensive line. On his way to regather he was blatantly tripped but no penalty was given.

 

Two minutes later and the home side regained the lead with an innocuous penalty before extending the lead three minutes later. The centre was tackled and spun round but released the ball fully 2 metres forward (it would have been forward in Rugby Union never mind League), the linesman flagged, everyone stopped, the ref played on and a try was awarded. Despite the injustice the Saints picked themselves up, dusted themselves off (difficult in torrential rain) came again and were unlucky when Sean Magennis couldn’t take the flat pass at the posts to score.

 

The half ended with the Saints on top and pinning the home side back. The second half started with some down right in your face hard hitting as the Junior Academy gave back what they’d been receiving in the first half. Magennis, back to his best after a couple of lean matches, broke superbly down the middle. Instead of pinning his ears back and running over the full back, he tried to go around him, eventually linking up with Woz Thompson. As Woz dived for the line he was short but was pulled over the line by the defender. However, the try was disallowed for a double movement.

 

Undaunted the lads redoubled their efforts. The pressure of the Saints defence was making it very difficult for the home side to get out of their own half. Chances came and went as first Woz Thompson lost the ball over the line and then Sean Magennis was held short with a three man overlap out wide. But the pressure finally tolled producing a scrum on half way fro a knock on. The forwards drove to the line before the ball was spread left through quick hands for Martin Waring to score in the left corner. Foz’s touchline conversion sailed over and the Saints were right back in it.

 

Mister Dependable then blotted his copybook by missing a regulation penalty from in front of the sticks to level the scores. Sean Magennis then ensured that the Health and Safety Inspectorate will have to check the Main Stand at Orrell when he shook the foundations with a massive hit on the big home front rower.

 

The lead was stretched to four again with yet another home penalty. But the tide had well and truly turned by now as wave after wave of Saints attack and defence swamped the home side who had to capitulate in the end. And capitulate they did. Gaz Wheeler probed the line and was stopped inches short on the fifth. From the play the ball Jamie Ellis put up a pin point chip to the corner. Martin Waring challenged with the home winger, neither came up with it leaving Woz Thompson to gleefully dive on the ball to even the scores. What a time to score your first try of the season. Calm as you like Foz stroked the ball home from the sideline leaving 8 nail biting minutes to survive. We shouldn’t have worried as the relentless black tide continued to press for yet more mistakes and held on for the win.

After a shaky start the team rose to the occasion manfully. The back row of Haggerty, Magennis and Dixon caused problems all day in both attack and especially in Dicko’s case defence. Bainesy looked as secure as Wello, Wheeler is getting back to his darting best and Yatesy did the hard yards without complaint. But when you can bring the likes of Clurgy and the baby faced assassin Jonny Lomax off the bench you know you can hurt the opposition. Having beaten all of their nearest rivals in recent weeks there will be no let up when we next take on Huddersfield Giants next week.

 

Tries:              Sean Ainscough, Stuart Howarth.

Goals:             Josh Veivers 4.

 

 

Tries:              Jamie Foster, Warren Thompson, Martin Waring.

Goals:            Jamie Foster 3.

 

Half Time:     Wigan U18’s 14                   

 

Full Time:      Wigan U18’s 16