IN a re-match of the opening round of last season’s U16’s fixtures the Saints faced, and beat, the Giants, writes Graham Henthorne.
But there the similarities faded as the Saints put on a solid display to comfortably beat the Giants 44-12 this time around.
The Saints were hot out of the blocks with the outstanding Josh Simm, drawing on his experience from his games at this level last year, clearly showing the others the way and opening the scoring with the first of his hat-trick.
Exciting centre Mathew Elwell extended the lead after eight minutes and when he added his second midway through the half the Saints were in control.
Simm added, and converted, his second on the half hour and the Saints were 24 points to the good.
As the half petered out the substitutions started to disrupt the Saints fluency allowing the visitors to creep onto the scoresheet with two converted tries. The last right on the whistle the most disappointing.
However, in the second half the Saints resumed business as usual this time with Josh Hadland scoring after three minutes.
Simm goaled, as he did his hat-trick try from the restart.
Jake Arnold sailed over for his brace a quarter of an hour in allowing Coach Ian Lomax to relax into a victory in this opening fixture.
As the half wore on the Saints didn’t let changes or fatigue take effect keeping the Giants scoreless in a great defensive effort.
Man of the Match Josh Simm was the best of the bunch but was followed closely by the front row of Ethan Yates and Cameron Hetherington with Josh Wingfield helping Jack Welsby and Josh Waterworth guide the team around the park. Kian Horridge made a positive impact off the bench.
Match Summary:
St Helens:
Tries: Josh Simm (2, 23 & 40), Matthew Elwell (8 & 20), Jake Arnold (29 & 49), Josh Hadland (38), Lewis Dodd (64).
Goals: Josh Simm 4.
Huddersfield:
Tries: David Gibbons (32), Dominic Young (35).
Goals: David Gibbons 2.
Half Time: 16-6
Full Time: 44-12
Teams:
Saints:
1. Jamie Little; 2. Keenan McDaid, 3. Sam Morley, 4. Matthew Elwell, 5. Jake Arnold; 6. Jack Welsby, 7. Josh Waterworth; 8. Ethan Yates, 9. Jake Wingfield, 10. Cameron Hetherington, 11. Josh Simm, 12. Brandon Scully, 13. Kye Siyani.
Subs: 14. Brandon O’Neill, 15. Josh Carrick, 16. Jack Roughley, 17. Josh Hadland, 18. Lewis Dodd, 19. Jack Taylor, 20. Kian Horridge.
Huddersfield:
1. Ben Tomkins; 2. Kieran O’Reilly, 3. Travis Corion, 4. Robbie Newton, 5. Liam Openshaw; 6. David Gibbons, 7. Joe Scott; 8. Wojtech Begg, 9. Finlay Bruce, 10. Kian Leppidge, 11. Dominic Young, 12. Aaron Metcalfe, 13. Ellis Broadbent.
Subs: 14. Benet Slater, 15. Lewis Laing, 16. Callum McCormack, 17. Callum Hartse, 18. Joe Burgess, 19. Alfie Schutz.
