16s Continue Winning Streak

A SAINTS side denied the services of two of its consistently better players in Callum Hazzard and Elliott Jenkins came away with the points from this hard fought local derby against the more experienced visitors from across the Lump, writes Graham Henthorne.

Apart from a five minute spell in the first half where they temporarily lost the lead the Saints were in total control. Two consolation tries in the final few minutes flattered the visitors who never really looked like pushing the Saints who won 34-24.

The Saints could and should have scored twice on both wings before Harry Coleman did open the scoring. Big drives from the outstanding Jorge Lewtas and Kevin Brown put the Saints on the attack. Jordan Gibbons’ last tackle cross kick was plucked out of the air by Coleman’s long arms and the big second row fell to the earth to score.

Another powerful run from Lewtas led to the Saints second try. He was stopped five metres from the line but a quick play the ball allowed Jordan Gibbons to dummy his way over down the left.

Had Brad Pinder not had his try disallowed for a double movement five minutes later the visitors may never have got a look in but after this bout of Saints pressure yielded no points as is often the way the visitors went down field and opened their account.

From the kick off poor tackling down the middle gave them another easy score and the Saints found themselves behind in a game which they had dominated.

But a piece of quick thinking from Coleman on the stroke of the interval gave them the impetus to take the game by the scruff of the neck. After mercurial full back Kevin Brown had missed a try scoring opportunity on the fifth tackle the ball found its way to the big second row on the last. Undaunted he belied his angular frame to put a deft grubber through to the in-goal area following up like any good kicker should. Consequently he was Johnny on the spot when the full back spilled the ball straight into his hands for the easiest of tries.

The second half mirrored the first in the way the Saints pack dominated their opposition. The visitors couldn’t handle the size and aggression of the trio of Saints props Jordan Olmez, Robbie Horton and Lewtas who pounded them into submission.

The best possible start came as Brown took advantage of Ben Heyes forcing the error by rounding the defence into the corner. Gibbon’s conversion gave the Saints breathing space at 20-12.

We had to wait another 17 minutes, however, until the game was made safe with the first of Sean Croston’s two tries. The centre took Brown’s pass to go in at the corner but only after a magnificent 30 metre run from Olmez had put the Saints close.

The centre’s second try came after some good sound rugby. Brown grubbered the ball expertly into the left corner on the last whereupon Croston and Alex Burke did what any wing pairing should do and followed the kick. They were forcing the winger towards touch when he offloaded directly into Burkes hands. He tried to force his way over but instead offloaded to Croston who fell over the line for the score.

Four scores up there was just time for Gibbons to kick a penalty which only seemed to puncture the Saints dominance allowing two soft consolation tries to make the score respectable.

This was a fine all round team performance from all 19 in the red vee. There was much joy in the dressing room afterwards and it was thoroughly deserved as all played their part in a great win.

As I’ve intimated the win was built around the dominance of the Saints pack and chief amongst them was Jorge Lewtas who had his best game so far.

Match Summary:

St Helens U16s:
Tries: Kevin Brown, Sean Croston 2, Jordan Gibbons, Harry Coleman 2.
Goals: Jordan Gibbons 5.

Wigan Warriors U16s:
Tries: James Worthington, Alex Bolton, Dec O’Donnell, Gary McMahon.
Goals: Oliver Russell 4.

Half Time: 14-12
Full Time: 34-24

Teams:

Saints:
1. Kevin Brown; 2. George Newman, 3. Cameron Brown, 4. Sean Croston, 5. Alex Burke; 6. Jordan Gibbons, 7. Ben Heyes; 8. Jordan Olmez, 9. Brad Pinder (C), 10. Jorge Lewtas, 11. Harry Coleman, 12. Chris Follin, 13. Alex Eckley.
Subs: 14. Paul Nash, 15. Lewis Gartland, 16. Danny Edwards, 17. Ben Twist, 20. Jacob Cummings, 21. Robbie Horton.

Wigan:
1. James Worthington; 2. Jack Mead, 3. Alex Bolton, 4. Brendan Horrocks, 24. Jordan Parr; 12. Oliver Russell, 7. Jamie Allen; 8. Zack Freer, 14. Dec O’Donnell, 10. Sammy Kibuld, 11. Caine Barnes, 23. Joe Pilling, 13. Oliver Partington.
Subs: 9. Nathan Wilde, 15. Sam Storey, 17. Samuel Adejumo, 18. Jamie McDonnell, 19. Shaun Jordan, 22. Gary McMahon, 25. Callum Green.

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