Saints Academy maintained their 100% start to the new season after an impressive 36-16 victory over Castleford Tigers at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday.
The Saints got the scoring underway after just three minutes, when Ciaran Nolan gave a short ball to George Delaney who crashed over from 2 metres out. Will Roberts converted the try to give the Saints a 6-0 lead.
A few minutes later, the Saints struck again, after a penalty for a tip gifted Derek Traynor’s men with a full set in the Castleford 20 metre area. The ball was moved out to the left, where Ben Lane crashed over in the right corner to further the lead. Roberts was unsuccessful with the kick, leaving the score at 10-0.
The Tigers got one back, after receiving two 6 again’s in the Saints 10 metre area, Freddie Brennan-Jones charged over from close range to grab a try for his side. Jaiden Tang missed the kick, meaning the score was 10-4.
A strong carry from George Delaney was rewarded with a penalty, which saw the Saints get right up to the Castleford line. The ball was quickly worked to the left, where Sam Haynes provided a quick pass to Alfie Whittle to go over and score in the corner. Roberts nailed the touchline conversion, granting a 16-4 advantage.
Just before the break, Saints grabbed another try, when Dayon Sambou dummied the defence to go over and get himself on the scoresheet before the break. Roberts’ conversion narrowly missed, leaving the score at 20-4.
The second half started just as it ended, with Keane Gilford going over in the left corner after repeated pressure on the Castleford line to start the half. Roberts’ kick just went wide, 24-4.
Just 6 minutes later, Cas struck back when Brennan-Jones went over to score his second of the game. This time Tang was successful with the kick, reducing the lead to 24-10.
But it didn’t take long for the Saints to respond when McKenzie Buckley muscled his way over to the left of the post just seven minutes after Castleford scored to get himself a deserved try. Roberts kicked the goal, extending the lead back to 30-10.
Five minutes later, the Tigers responded when Leyton Davies stepped and weaved to score under the sticks, and with the conversion kicked by Tang the lead was again reduced, 30-16.
But it was Saints who would finish the scoring, Ciaran Nolan threw a wonderful dummy on the halfway line and broke into open field, before giving the ball to Cal Devine who found Sambou with the cut-out pass, who in-turn found his way to the line in the right corner. Roberts kicked the conversion from the right, and got back the 20 point advantage for the Saints, which resulted in a 36-16 victory.
Match Summary
Saints team: Ben Lane, Alfie Whittle, Sam Haynes, Dayon Sambou, Keane Gilford, Max McGucken, Will Roberts, George Delaney, Ciaran Nolan, Kalan Devine, McKenzie Buckley, Jonathan Vaughan, Kieran Dean.
Interchange: Harvey Braddish, Alfie Sinclair, Bailey Pemberton, Leunbou Bardyel Wells.
Tries: Dayon Sambou (2), George Delaney, Ben Lane, Alfie Whittle, Keane Gilford, McKenzie Buckley.
Goals: Will Roberts (4 from 7)
Castleford team: Jason Qareqare, Aflie Mitchell, Hugo Nikhata, Harry Render, Ben Farrar, Jaiden Tang, Leyton Davies, Freddie Brennan-Jones, Taylor Baddley, Jude Thompson, Alfie Dean, McKenzie Coulson, Will Shaw.
Interchange: Toby Mallinson, Callum Adkins-Beety, Caine Glancy, Jack Green.
Tries: Freddie Brennan-Jones (2), Leyton Davies.
Goals: Jaiden Tang (2 from 3)
HT: 20-4
FT: 36-16
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