The Academy sealed their second win of the year with a victory over the Warrington Wolves in a physical contest, 12-26.
It would be Warrington who took the lead, just three minutes into the game. A six-again for Warrington opened up a full set in the Saints half, and work their way up to the Saints line. Warrington played to the right, with the ball ending up in the arms of Frank Sargent to dive over and score in the corner. Joe Hickey missed the conversion, 4-0 to the Wolves.
But the Saints would respond immediately! An error from Warrington from the kick-off opened up the opportunity for Saints to attack the Warrington line. Middle of the field scrum down, the Saints played right out the back to Louie Roberts whose quick catch and pass to Owen Dagnall sent him away to crash over and score in the corner. George Whitby’s kick just missed from the side-line, putting the scores back level, 4-4.
Warrington would strike back to take the lead again in the 15th minute. This time it was the Wolves who would get the opportunity to attack from the scrum from the middle, breaking right, finding Sargent again to cross for his second in the corner. Hickey’s conversion again went wide, putting Warrington ahead again by four, 8-4.
The Saints didn’t go away, with Louie Roberts battling away through the middle of the field getting the Saints back up to the Warrington line. After getting close to the Wire try line, the Saints attacked right with Harry Robertson attacking the short side, passing to Matthew Penketh whose quick hands once again sent Dagnall down the touchline to score in the corner with six minutes remaining of the half. Whitby’s conversion hit the post from out wide, leaving the scores level, 8-8.
As half-time approached, a kick over the top was claimed by Ellis Anderson on halfway seeing him break through the Warrington defence before offloading to Tom Humphreys in support, who was then tackled high as he claimed the ball. A penalty to the Saints gave Whitby the chance to send the Saints into the break ahead, with Whitby doing just that kicking the goal 35 metres out to the left, 8-10 the score at the break!
A penalty at end of the half is converted by Whitby, sending the Saints into the break ahead 💪#COYS pic.twitter.com/mDGJPwgLNj
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 13, 2024
Saints started fast in the second half, again working their way up the field through the carries of Roberts from his own half. The Saints set up camp on the Warrington line, before playing right through Whitby, who send Oliver Garmston through a gap, before he found the offload away to Penketh to cross over and score for the Saints after just five minutes into the half. Whitby’s conversion looked to go over, but the wind took the ball wide of the posts, leaving the Saints ahead by six, 8-14.
The game entered into an arm wrestle contest, with both sides defences matching each others physicality, but the Wolves would eventually break the Saints line again in the 65th minute, attacking down their right edge again, finding Sargent to cross for his hat-trick. Hickey’s kick just went wide, narrowing the Saints lead to two, 12-14.
But it wouldn’t be long before the Saints replied back. Again battling up the field, the Saints attacked to the left with the Warrington line scrambling, Deacon Swarbrick looked to get over near the corner, before offloading to Billy Keeley who fought his way over the line to ground the ball. Whitby nailed the kick from corner to put the Saints ahead by eight, 12-20.
Warrington went for the short kick-off, but the Saints collected the ball and began their set on half way. A Penalty for a high shot let the Saints into the Warrington 20 metre area, and begin another attack on the Warrington line. Robertson skipped across the field, before attacking the middle of the Warrington defence, stepping past the Wire defenders to score under posts. Whitby converted from right in front to seal the Saints win with four minutes remaining, 12-26.
A much more dominate second half for the Saints saw them wrap the win up and claim their second victory of the year for the Academy. Next up for the Red V in the competition will be the Huddersfield Giants at home once again on Thursday, 25th April at the Totally Wicked Stadium!
A late score from Robertson wraps up the win!
Outstanding win boys 👊#COYS pic.twitter.com/Am2M0JlM9J
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 13, 2024
Saints Team: 1. Louie Roberts, 2. Owen Dagnall, 3. Deacon Swarbrick, 4. Matthew Penketh, 5. Ellis Anderson, 6. Harry Robertson, 7. George Whitby, 10. Morgan Barraclough-Watson, 23. Tom Humphreys, 20. Daniel Frost, 11. Billy Keeley, 12. Oliver Garmston, 19. Jake Davies.
Bench: 9. Reece Robinson, 14. Kian McGann, 15. Oliver Polec, 16. Alfie Tate.
18th Player: 21. Elliot Jamieson.
Tries: Owen Dagnall (2), Matthew Penketh, Billy Keeley, Harry Robertson.
Goals: George Whitby (3 from 6)
Warrington Team: 1. Cai Taylor Wray, 2. Frank Sergent, 3. Deacon Connolly, 4. Zack Gardener, 5. Charlie Walker, 6. Joe Hickey, 7. Pat Irwin, 8. Charlie Mckler, 9. Lewis Barratt, 10. James McGuire, 11. Daniel Hackney, 12. Kian Stanton, 13. Alfie Mather
Bench: 14. Daniel Reagan, 15. Ben Pearce, 16. Tom McKinney, 17. Sam Roberts
18th Player:
Tries: Frank Sergent (3).
Goals: Joe Hickey (0 from 3).
