Saints » Results

SAINTS went down 22-20 to Wakefield in a closely fought encounter at the GPW Recruitment Stadium.

A tight game was 12-apiece at half time with rain and blustery conditions making handling difficult.

Ade Gardner opened the scoring within the first couple of minutes only for Ryan Atkins to level matters shortly after.

But two unconverted scores from Leon Pryce and Chris Dean put Saints ahead before Sam Obst showed fleet of foot to make it all square at the break.

Scott Grix put Wakefield ahead but a nicely taken score from Francis Meli ensured parity once more.

But Saints didn’t defend the restart and within six tackles, Grix was in for this second.

Dean popped up for his second with less than 10 minutes left in the game, and then a late attempt at a penalty from Paul Wellens went wide.

Mick Potter recalled Matt Gidley following his quad injury and named Jon Wilkin at scrum half with Kyle Eastmond missing out with mumps.

Chris Flannery had the same illness, so Matty Ashurst and Andrew Dixon lined up in the second row. Tony Puletua started at prop, with Lee Gilmour at loose forward.

Although named in the 19, Brad Drew missed out for Wakefield – Kevin Henderson taking his place – and prop forward Jason Demetriou lined up against Gilly at loose.

Wakefield kicked off on yet another damp and blustery match night at the GPW Recruitment Stadium and in both side’s first two drives, the wind was forcing the ball dead when it left the boot.

Saints first real attack was after former Saint Ricky Bibey caught Dixon high. And with numbers out wide Matt Gidley fed Ade Gardner and he was over in the corner. Wellens wide with the extras.

Four minutes in and 4-0 to the good.

Wakefield then forced a drop out after Francis Meli couldn’t gather a chip through and on their next set Gidley knocked the ball dead.

Then with Saints in possession, the ball came loose and Ryan Atkins had hovered up and gone under the sticks. Leon Pryce had combined with James Roby to put them within inches, but the ball went to ground. Danny Brough with the extras.

Tevita Leo Latu left the field on 15 minutes with what looked like a serious arm injury.

It took Saints nearly ten minutes to get into prime attacking territory and when they did a break from within his own half from Jon Wilkin, then a nice slipped pass from the same player allowed Pryce to show neat footwork. Wellens short with the extras.

Chris Dean then showed plenty of athleticism to stretch over. Wellens wide with the conversion.

But moments later Sam Obst darted through a gap and Brough’s conversion restored parity.

Half Time: Saints 12 Wakefield 12

Wakefield began the second half on the front foot and almost scored but Meli pulled off a try scoring tackle.

On 45 minutes, Jon Wilkin tried a kick through, but Wakefield held firm.

And a minute later Pryce’s high kick was easily defused by Matt Blaymire.

But it was Scott Grix who got the scoreboard ticking with a try in the corner masterminded by Danny Brough. Jason Demetriou clearly forearmed Paul Wellens in the face in the lead up but referee Steve Ganson allowed the score even though Saints’ full back was left on the floor in a heap.

A minute later, Francis Meli went over after a nice break by Chris Dean.

From the restart, Brough won the ball back and on the last Wakefield went over once more – this time the video referee ruling there was no knock on after a clash of players near the line. Scot Grix getting his second of the game. Brough with the extras.

On 66 minutes, Jonny Lomax was carried off the field with a leg injury.

Chris Dean then got his second of the game when the ball went through hands and he evaded plenty of pressure to go over in the corner. Wilkin, Pryce, Roby and Wellens involved in the build up. Wellens just short with the extras once more.

Saints needed something late to put themselves back ahead and they peppered the Wildcats’ line on several occasions in the last five minutes.

Then, with four minutes to go, Brough kicked out on the full giving Saints six tackles right on Wakefield’s line. Yet, the ball went to ground and the Cats held on.

Yet, there was a late twist as Korkidas was done for holding on to the right of the posts and Paul Wellens was just wide with the penalty that would have levelled the game.

Match Summary:

Saints:

Tries: Gardner, Pryce, Dean (2), Meli

Goals: Wellens (0 from 6)

Wakefield:

Tries: Atkins, Obst, Grix (2)

Goals: Brough (3 from 4)

Penalties:

Saints: 7

Wakefield: 2

HT (Sts First): 12-12

FT (Sts First):

REF: Thierry Alibert

ATT: 8651

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 12. Jon Wilkin; 10. James Graham, 14. James Roby, 16. Tony Puletua, 11. Lee Gilmour, 28. Matty Ashurst, 24. Andrew Dixon.

Subs: 9. Keiron Cunningham, 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 17. Paul Clough, 30. Jonny Lomax.

Wakefield:

1. Matt Blaymire; 13. Scott Grix, 19. Sean Gleeson, 4. Ryan Atkins, 5. Matt Petersen; 14. Sam Obst, 7. Danny Brough; 16. Ricky Bibey, 20. Tevita Leo Latu, 23. Michael Korkidas, 11. Steve Snitch, 12. Oliver Wilkes, 8. Jason Demetriou.

Subs: 15. James Stosic, 17. Kevin Henderson, 24. Dale Ferguson, 25. Richard Moore.

Friday 17th Jul 2009, 8:00pm Attendance: 8651
	Vs
Saints	Vs	WT Wildcats
20		22

Results

Saints 20 - 22 WT Wildcats