Watch the free highlights as we secured a home semi-final and the League Leaders' Shield after beating Wigan in the Derby!
MATCH REPORT
Just five minutes into the game, the Saints put themselves ahead on the scoreboard after a great kick from Ellis Archer was chased hard by Will Roberts who tackled the Warriors full back, forcing the error. The Saints set up in the Wigan ten-meter area, and on the third tackle, Eliot Peposhi charged his way over the line. Roberts converts, 6-0.
The game entered an arm-wrestle, but after a knock-on from the kick by the Wigan full back, the Saints were presented with a good opportunity to get back on the board 20 minutes into the game. The ball was played right from the scrum, where Ben Lane found Ben Will who went over to score. Roberts missed from out wide, 10-0.
Ten minutes later a brilliant drop-out from Roberts saw the ball bounce out, allowing the Saints to start with the ball on halfway. We worked our way up the field and after a strong carry from Noah Stephens, Ciaran Nolan went down the short side to Jonathon Vaughan who sent a cut-out ball to Will who grabbed his second in the corner. Roberts just misses from the side-line, 14-0.
But with 38 minutes on the clock, it would be the Warriors who would score last in the first half, when Tom Ratchford dived over from dummy half and converted his own try from out wide, to send the game in at the break with the score at 14-6.
Four minutes into the second half the Saints regained our 14-point advantage after some nice hands to the right, Sam Haynes stepped in then out and delivered the ball to Will who grabbed his hat-trick try. Roberts nailed the kick from out wide, 20-6.
50 minutes into the game and the Saints were in again after a brilliant run from George Delaney saw him power off a defender then find a brilliant offload to Sam Haynes who goes over to score under the sticks. Roberts converts, 26-6.
It was two in three minutes for the Saints as they marched downfield and on the last tackle, Ellis Archer placed a beautiful kick towards the sticks, with Delaney chasing the hardest to ground the ball and get himself a well-deserved try. Roberts converts, 32-6.
In the 65th minute the Warriors would get in for a try themselves with the ball played out to the right and after a few offloads, Reagan Sumner went over in the corner. Ratchford converted the kick, 32-12.
Wigan would go in for the final try of the game with five minutes to go when Jacob Douglas went over in the corner. Ratchford converted to see the final score finish at 32-18. That meant the academy took home the derby win and the two points to finish top of the league and with it secure the League Leaders’ Shield!
Match Summary
Saints team: Ben Lane, Ben Will, Sam Haynes, Dayon Sambou, Keane Gilford, Ellis Archer, Will Roberts, George Delaney, Ciaran Nolan, Kalan Devine, Jonathon Vaughan, McKenzie Buckley, Eliot Peposhi.
Bench: Noah Stephens, Nathan Bannerman, Leon Cowen, Max McGucken.
Tries: Ben Will (3), George Delaney, Eliot Peposhi, Sam Haynes.
Goals: Will Roberts (4 from 6)
Wigan team: Niall Povall, Reagan Sumner, Maddox Jeffery, Harry Smithers, Jacob Douglas, Tom Ratchford, Reece Bushell, Harvey Wilson, Lewis Pinder, Ellis Hobson, Reece Stanton, Finley Beardsworth, Joe Baldwin.
Bench: Billy Myers, Ryan Brown, Max Wood, Troy Richmond.
Tries: Tom Ratchford, Reagan Sumner, Jacob Douglas.
Goals: Tom Ratchford (3 from 3).
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