SAINTS U16s followed in the footsteps of their older colleagues as they won their own derby with a convincing 10 try 54-8 demolition of a poor Wolves outfit, writes Graham Henthorne.
The writing was on the wall as early as the seventh minute as Kevin Brown went fully 98 metres to score. He picked up a grubber from his own line before leaving the opposition for dead handing off the fullback twice on his way.
The Saints carved the Wolves right side defence up for fun in the first period scoring twice both times from moves started deep in his own half from Brad Pinder blindside plays. He dummied inside at dummy half before going blind firstly putting Chris Follin away. The big second row sent it out to his centre Jordan Gibbons who streaked through a gap to the fullback before finding Elliott Jenkins on his inside.
Five minutes later and this time Jenkins and Gibbons were providers taking Pinder’s pass and putting Alex Burke away. The winger then showed exactly what wing play is all about with an inside drift which stood the full back up and then an outside acceleration which took him away in a move reminiscent of Anthony Sullivan at his best.
The Saints were scoring at will now with right winger Jacob Cummings getting in on the act after Kev Brown and Robbie Horton had been stopped short.
From the kick off, two play the balls and Callum Hazzard’s delightful short ball put Jenkins through down the middle. 60 metres later and the fullback caught him only to be handed off as Jenkins reached over the line.
The Wolves got a consolation try on the stroke of half time but a revitalised and focussed Saints came out after the break and resumed exactly where they had left off.
Burke got his second on an overlap on the left before a bemused Jordan Olmez was denied a try under the sticks for a knock on he swears blind didn’t happen.
A second consolation for the home side didn’t dampen spirits as a cheeky interception 30 metres out from Brad Pinder showed.
The Saints eighth try came after a fantastic 40/10 from Jenkins put the Saints on the attack. From the scrum the ball was spread right where Cameron Brown gave his winger George Newman the easiest of touchdowns as he stood up his opposite number with ease.
Jenkins completed his hat-trick scooting in from 20 metres out and the scoring ended with Harry Coleman getting his now obligatory try stepping over from close range.
Four goals from Hazzard and three magnificent strikes from Coleman in tricky kicking condition completed the scoring.
The score, as big as it was, flattered the home side as the Saints big forwards Olmez, Lewtas and Horton terrorised them down the middle. But you can’t beat pace and this Saints side has that in abundance and not a little guile to move the team around the park in the guise of Jenkins and Ben Heyes. With a little more composure at times the Saints could have rattled up a point a minute!
Match Summary:
Warrington U16s:
Tries: Andrew Bullman, Regan Croft.
St Helens U16s:
Tries: Kev Brown, Jacob Cummings, Alex Burke 2, Elliott Jenkins 3, Brad Pinder, Harry Coleman, George Newman.
Goals: Callum Hazzard 4, Harry Coleman 3.
Half Time: 26-4
Full Time: 54-8
Teams:
Warrington:
1. Bruce Martinus; 5. Regan Croft, 3. Ryan Taylor, 4. Jack Roper, 2. Andrew Bullman; 6. Jake Carter, 7. Liam Aspin; 8. Jordan Williams, 9. Fynn Stanley, 10. Matthew Heritage, 18. Lewis Turner, 12. Alex Tankard, 13. Ellis Robson.
Subs: 11. Blake Turner, 14. Tyler Lancaster, 15. Ethan Duffy, 16. Matty Berry, 17. Jacob Chamberlain, 19. Declan Leonard, 20. George Whitham.
Saints:
1. Kev Brown; 2. Jacob Cummings, 3. Cameron Brown, 4. Jordan Gibbons, 5. Alex Burke; 6. Ben Heyes, 7. Elliott Jenkins; 10. Ben Twist, 9. Brad Pinder, 8. Jorge Lewtas, 11. Harry Coleman, 12. Chris Follin, 13. Callum Hazzard.
Subs: 14. Paul Nash, 15. George Newman, 16. Sean Croston, 17. Jordan Olmez, 18. Alex Eckley, 19. Danny Edwards, **. Robbie Horton.
