A REMARKABLE second half fight back stunned the Odsal Faithful and gave the Saints a 42-38 victory which seemed impossible at half time writes Graham Henthorne, Team Manager.
Trailing by 28 points after 37 minutes you would have been forgiven for consigning this match to the dustbin of history but you would have reckoned without the resilience of the Saints.
In a display mirroring that of the senior side last Monday the Saints put 36 points past the Bulls to take the spoils.
At the moment at Saints the injuries of the first team have knock on effects on what sort of teams can be put out lower down the scale. Consequently this was a team put together with one eye on who was needed for Sheffield and who else was available to fill in for those promoted.
Tries from Academy winger Adam Barber, Aaron Lloyd, Anthony Walker (pictured), Warren Thompson and two each for Josh Jones and Ben Karalius and five Tommy Johnson goals won it for the Saints.
The whole team put in a massive effort to turn things around at the break but special mention must go to Ben Karalius, who marshalled his backs and Anthony Walker who led his pack by example against the usual big Bulls pack with a sprinkling of Super league experience to boot.
This should give all involved great belief that they can go on to bigger and better things.
Match Summary:
Bradford:
Tries: Kyle Williamson 2, Jason Crookes 2, Rob Hawthorne, Murphy, Laycock.
Goals: Cain Southernwood 5.
St Helens:
Tries: Adam Barber, Josh Jones 2, Ben Karalius 2, Aaron Lloyd, Anthony Walker, Warren Thompson.
Goals: Tommy Johnson 5.
Half Time: 6-28
Full Time: 42-38
Teams:
Bradford:
1. Dave Halley, 2. Kyle Williamson, 3. Jason Crookes, 4. Rob Hawthorne, 5. Lewis Straughn, 6. Callum Windley, 7. Cain Southernwood, 8. Tom Lillicrop, 9. Wright, 10. Steve Crossley, 11. Tom Olbison, 12. Murphy, 13. McAvoy.
Subs: 14. Reed, 15. Bailey, 16. Laycock, 17. Ethan Hawkesworth.
Saints:
1. Tommy Johnson, 2. Adam Barber, 3. Alex Trumper, 4. Simon Atherton, 5. Dan Brotherton, 6. Josh Jones, 7. Ben Karalius, 8. Jordan Hand, 9. Aaron Lloyd, 10. Anthony Walker, 11. Jordan O’Neill, 12. Scott Hale, 13. Warren Thompson.
Subs: 14. Marcus Baines, 15. Joe Bate, 16. Samir Tahrouai, 17. Josh Greaves.
