A young Saints side were beaten 18-28 by dual registration side Swinton Lions, as part of our pre-season preparations...
😇 Your first Saints line-up for 2024, ready to take on @Swinton_Lions #COYS pic.twitter.com/FQi8Yq9xZv
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) January 20, 2024
Swinton took an early lead. A penalty pushed the visitors into Saints’ half and on the last Jordan Gibson’s grubber kick was touched down by Dec Patton from close range. Dan Abram added the extras, 0-6 Swinton led early on.
A second quickly followed. Patton kicked a 40/20 which put the Lions in great field position. A few tackles into the set, Swinton switched it from right to left and Patton’s cut-out pass allowed Jayden Hatton to score in the corner. Abram added the extras, 0-12.
Saints tried to apply some pressure and went close. Jonny Vaughan broke through the line and found the supporting George Whitby, who had to reach down low to collect the ball and stumbled over as he headed towards the line. The play was then called back for a Saints penalty, but nothing came of it.
Despite Saints spending a long spell on the Lions line, it was the visitors who grabbed the third score of the game. A penalty pushed them into Saints territory and a clever kick from Patton gave them a scrum ten metres from the Saints line. A few tackles in, they went right, and Abram found Matthew Chrimes who powered his way over in the far corner. Abram missed the kick, 0-16.
A fourth Swinton try followed. The visitors moved from left to right, Patton found Andrew Badrock, he found Hatton who slid over in the corner for his second of the afternoon. Abram missed the kick, 0-20.
Saints grabbed their first points of the afternoon just before the break. A penalty in Swinton territory pushed Saints closer to the line. Saints opted for the power play and Brett Bailey forced his way over from close range. George Whitby converted, 6-20 Saints trailed at the break.
⏸️ Swinton Lions have the lead at the break in our first Pre-Season Friendly.#COYS pic.twitter.com/IXf20pFb47
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) January 20, 2024
Saints started the second half as they had ended the first, with a try. Ben Davies’ outside of the foot kick bounced and found its way to the hands of Jonny Vaughan who was able to slide over from close range. Whitby converted, 12-20 Saints trailed.
Swinton extended their lead, as both sides exchanged a few sets. An incorrect play the ball gave the visitors the ball deep inside Saints’ half. Numbers on the edge allowed a long cut-out pass to the wing, which Chrimes grabbed to dive over in the corner for his second try. Jordan Gibson took over kicking duties and missed, 12-24.
Minutes later the Lions went close again. An overlap on the right edge allowed Chrimes to break away down the right wing, Ben Will grabbed him and his offload inside was dropped by Joe Purcell, with just grass in front of him.
They didn’t have to wait much longer for their fifth try. The ball found its way to Brad Hammond and he was able to work past some tired Saints tackles to score. Chrimes missed the conversion, 12-28.
Saints replied. A good run from dummy half from Ciaran Nolan looked to see him held up just short of the Swinton line, but he was able to spin his way over and ground the ball just to the right of the sticks. Whitby converted, 18-28 the Red V trailed.
The visitors continued to threaten more points. A shift to their left edge saw them break away down the left wing, an ankle tap from Owen Dagnall put the Swinton player into touch, as he looked to score in the corner.
That was the final action of the game, as Saints’ first game of the season ended in a 18-28 defeat to Swinton Lions at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
⏹️ Swinton Lions get the win in our first Pre-Season Friendly in 2024.
Congratulations to our dual-registration partners, we look forward to continuing working with you this year. 🤝#COYS pic.twitter.com/bzEbYWc9i9
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) January 20, 2024
Match Summary
Saints Team: Jon Bennison, Owen Dagnall, Konrad Hurrell, Dayon Sambou, Harry Robertson, Ben Davies, George Whitby, Noah Stephens, Jake Burns, McKenzie Buckley, Jonny Vaughan. Harvey Braddish, Sam Royle.
Interchanges: Ben Will, Ciaran Nolan, Cole Marsh, Niall Dean, Brett Bailey, Alfie Sinclair, Jerry Carty, Jake Davies, Max McGucken, Daniel Frost.
Tries: Brett Bailey (39), Jonny Vaughan (45), Ciaran Nolan (65)
Conversions: George Whitby (3 from 3)
Swinton Lions Team: Dan Abram, Matthew Chrimes, Jake Spedding, Andy Badrock, Jayden Hatton, Dec Patton, Jordan Gibson, Mikey Wood, Josh Eaves, Gavin Bennion, Gavin Rodden, Mitch Cox, Lewis Hall.
Interchanges: Cole Oakley, Liam Cooper, Joe Purcell, Matthew Fletcher, Jordan Case, Jack Stevens, Richard Lepori, Jack Houghton, Tommy Porter, Brad Hammond.
Tries: Dec Patton (5), Jayden Hatton (9, 26), Matthew Chrimes (21, 56), Brad Hammond (62)
Conversions: Dan Abram (2 from 4), Jordan Gibson (0 from 1), Matthew Chrimes (0 from 1)
HT: 6-20
FT: 18-28
Attendance:
