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Reserves Keep Unbeaten Record Intact

10th Mar 2008, 11:03am

St Helens Reserve Team 31 v 24 Hull FC Reserve Team
 
By Graham Henthorne, Team Manager
 
Saints Reserves preserved their hundred per cent start to the new season with a hard earned victory over the most successful side at this level in recent years.
 
The side showed a few changes to the one that demolished Wakefield last week with the call-ups of Matty Smith and Ste Tyrer to the First Team squad but their replacements slotted in well.
 
The Reserves started well with Jamie Ellis booming a penalty 50 metres to put them on attack. From the tap Wheeler put Haggerty through a yawning gap only to see him trip and lose possession over the line.
 
This let off was gratefully accepted by the visitors who took the lead with a simple try at a five metre scrum.
 
From the restart, Lee Cunliffe forced the error and from the scrum Chris Frodsham went on an arcing 30 metre run to the try line. Jamie Foster’s scrawpy conversion brought the scores level.
 
The Saints then took a lead that they never relinquished when Paul Johnson got the first of his brace. Wheeler took the ball to the line and then shot a peach of a pass to put Johnson through.
 
The Saints were on top at this point. Cunliffe was held up over the line and the kicking of Ellis and Wheeler was penning Hull into their 20 metre zone.
 
Five minutes before the break and the Saints extended their lead. Ellis made a break down the middle but mystifyingly ran away from his support and was stopped by the fullback. From the play the ball Dean McGilvray and Foster spread the ball right before bringing first Hully and then Haggy back on the inside for Haggerty to touch down. Foster’s second goal gave the Reserves a ten point cushion.
 
This could have been more on the next set if only Chris Frodsham, following Liam Bland’s break, had seen Danny Fairhurst on his inside.
 
Against the wind in the second half it was always going to be a sterner task but the Reserves went further ahead as Paul Johnson got his second. Haggy broke the line but was tap tackled short. From the play the ball Jamie Ellis put a pin point chip to the left corner where it bounced into Paul’s welcome grasp.
 
However, the visitors were not done yet and two converted tries in a ten minute spell brought them back to within four points and a tiring Saints side were finding it hard to hold on.
 
But, as often, good attacking is brought about by good defence and a big hit forced a Hull knock on giving Saints possession deep in Hull territory. Lee Cunliffe was again held short but when the ball was spread left Wheeler jinked his way to the line.
 
Frodsham had a try disallowed for a forward pass before Foster stretched the lead to 12 with his fifth goal of the evening.
 
Back came Hull again and visiting scrum half Carl Puckering took his personal tally to 16 points and the gap back to six gathering another crosskick for his second try of the match.
 
A tense last five minutes was on the cards but the Saints closed the game out with a good set to get down field within the range of Jamie Ellis who calmly slotted over the drop goal which made the points safe.
 
Henthorne said: “Wheeler was at his mercurial best and the visitors were relieved to see Haggy leave the field due to injury but a special mention must go to Jake Emmitt who, playing in the unfamiliar position of prop, took the ball in tirelessly.”
 
 
St.Helens: 31
T: Johnson 2, Frodsham, Wheeler, Haggerty
G: Foster 5
DG: Ellis
 
Hull FC: 24
T: Puckering 2, Reid, Wildridge
G: Puckering 4
 
H.T. 16-6
 
St.Helens: Chris Frodsham; Dave Hull, Jamie Foster, Paul Johnson, Dean McGilvray; Gary Wheeler, Jamie Ellis; Jake Emmitt, Lee Cunliffe, Sam Thompson, Kurt Haggerty, Chris Dean, Andrew Dixon.
Subs. Alex Asher, Liam Bland, Danny Fairhurst, Sean Magennis.
 
Hull: James Haynes; Ashley Thackeray, Mike Mitchell, Ryan Turley, Danny Moss; Ryan Steen, Karl Puckering; Tom Lynch, Josh Hodgson, Nathan Freer, Matt Bower, Kris Peacock, Liam Reid.
Subs. Pat Smith, Lewis Wildridge, Danny Bell, Paul Shaw.

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