St Helens R.F.C. claimed their third World Club Title with a 12-13 victory over Penrith Panthers in Golden Point Extra Time!
Saints took the lead in the tenth minute. After both sides had good spells of pressure on the opposition line, Curtis Sironen collected a Jonny Lomax pass and broke through the Panthers line and found the supporting Jack Welsby on his inside who wasn’t going to be caught in open field to score under the sticks. Tommy Makinson converted, 0-6 Saints led.
JACK WELSBY π€©@Saints1890 strike first in the #WorldClubChallenge π#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/Ag5OQsO0bI
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 18, 2023
Penrith came within inches of levelling the scores minutes later. Saints fumbled the ball in midfield and the hosts moved downfield off the back of it, Nathan Cleary then threw a dummy near the Saints line before sliding towards the line, but a remarkable tackle from Welsby forced a fumble from the Panthers half, 0-6 it remained.
The Red V lead was then further increased. Saints opted to run the ball down their short side and Lomax found Konrad Hurrell who powered his way over from close range. Makinson missed the conversion, 0-10.
The HURRELLCANE π₯@konmanhurrell powers over for @Saints1890's second π₯#WorldClubChallenge #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/P7UwNl2qVc
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) February 18, 2023
Despite both sides having some good chances to add to the scoreline, defences stood firm. So Saints led 0-10 at the break in Australia. The only real sour note from the first 40 for the visitors, was that Makinson was forced off earlier on in the first half and failed his HIA so wouldn’t be returning for the rest of the game. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook passed his and was able to return to the game.
βΈ St Helens hold the lead at the break in the #WorldClubChallenge
Follow the second half with our Match Centre π#COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 18, 2023
Saints had a chance immediately in the second half to add points to their tally. A Welsby kick was fumbled by Stephen Crichton which gave Saints possession in the Penrith 20, the hosts got caught offside from the scrum and Saints opted for two. Mark Percival took on the attempt and nailed it, 0-12 the Red V led.
Penrith then grabbed the first try of the second half 12 minutes in. There was a lot of space behind the Saints line down the Panthers left edge, Cleary kicked early and despite Welsby’s best efforts to stop the try, Izack Tago dived on the loose ball to score. Clearly converted, 6-12 they trailed.
The visitors thought they had their third try. Welsby threw a great cut out pass to Will Hopoate on the wing who cut in to score but the referee ruled forward pass much to the Saints’ dismay. It remained 6-12.
Saints went for a one-pointer with eught minutes to go, but Jonny Lomax’s effort went wide so it remained 6-12. Shortly after Lewis Dodd went for one, but the hosts were awarded a penalty for blockers obstructing the kicker.
Penrith then grabbed a try with 90 seconds to go. A high kick was not dealt with by the Saints and Penrith recovered the loose ball and moved it right for Brian To’o to score in the corner. Cleary converted, 12-12.
Both sides had early touches on the ball but were unable to come up with a score. Saints kicked the ball back to Penrith and a great hit by Hurrell knocked the ball out of Crichton’s arms. Saints then moved downfield and Dodd NAILED the one-pointer this time to make St Helens WORLD CHAMPIONS, GET IN!
THE SAINTS ARE WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS! π pic.twitter.com/ZbzFSfbw3F
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 18, 2023
π πͺπ’π₯ππ πππ¨π ππππ π£ππ’π‘π¦ π
St Helens have made history, beating Penrith Panthers in their own backyard to secure a #WorldClubChallenge victory! #COYS | #HistoryInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/zMguyOZ8Jk
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) February 18, 2023
Match Summary
Penrith Panthers Team:Β Stephen Crichton, Taylan May, Izack Tago, Sunia Turuva, Brian To’o, Jarome Luai, Nathan Cleary, Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, James Fisher-Harris, Luke Garner, Zac Hosking, Isaah Yeo.
Interchanges:Β Jack Cogger, Matt Eisenhuth, Spencer Leniu, Jaeman Salmon.
18th Man:Β Lindsay Smith
Tries:Β Izack Tago (52), Brian To’o (78)
Conversions:Β Nathan Cleary (2 from 2)
Saints Team:Β Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Konrad Hurrell, Mark Percival, Will Hopoate, Jonny Lomax, Lewis Dodd, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Sione Mataβutia, Curtis Sironen, Morgan Knowles.
Interchanges: Agnatius Paasi, Jake Wingfield,Β Joey Lussick, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
18th Man: James Bell
Tries:Β Jack Welsby (10), Konrad Hurrell (16)
Conversions:Β Tommy Makinson (1 from 2)
Penalties:Β Mark Percival (1 from 1)
HT:Β 0-10
FT:Β 12-12
GPET:Β 12-13
Attendance: 13,783
