After a six-week break as our Under 16’s underwent their exams, our Scholars returned to action with a trip to Hull FC on the cards for the side!
After an end-to-end first 15 minutes, it was the Black and Whites who would cross over for the first score of the game. Hull played wide, with wingman Rhys Yorke collecting the ball and diving over in the corner to score. Kingsley Sharpe converted the try, 6-0 Hull led.
The Scholars would respond shortly after, with Nathan Percival crossing over. Chris Matagi got the Saints on the attack with a break downfield but was stopped just short of the line. Two plays later, a kick was sent up to the left, with Luke Brighouse competing in the air, batting the ball down to Percival who dived over for a try just left of the posts. Jack Campbell converted the score, with the score level at 6-6 after 25 minutes.
The Saints would go in again minutes later. Tyler McGann found himself with the ball to the left of the field, and from halfway started his attack toward the Hull line. He stepped the first line of defence, before skipping around the Hull FC fullback and race away to score under the posts and finish off a great try! Campbell converted, 6-12 the Saints led.
But right before the halftime whistle, the Black and Whites drew the game up. The Saints stood strong defending their own line set after set, until Josh Horne collected an offload, and ducked his way to score despite the best efforts from the Saints. Sharpe converted from right of the sticks, sending the sides into the break all tied up, 12-12.
The second half began the same as the first, with both sides battling it out each having good opportunities to post the first points of the second half. However, it would be the Saints who would cross over first in the 57th minute. The Saints played with shape to the right, with Riley Heath finding Campbell out the back, who skipped back inside of his opposite centre to score. After converting his own try from just left of the posts, the Saints regained their lead, 12-18.
Shortly after the Saints, and Campbell, would be in again. Matagi got the Saints on the front foot again, and after repeated shots at the line, including Ollie Roby being judged to have been held up in the corner, the Saints played left again, with Heath once again finding Campbell who went through the FC defence to touch down. Campbell’s conversion just went wide of the posts, leaving the Saints with a 10 point lead, with 10 minutes remaining, 12-22.
Hull wouldn’t go down without a fight, crossing over with 5 minutes to go. Jackson Smith collected the ball and attacked the Saints line, grounding the ball. Sharpe converted, taking the score to 18-22.
But that would be the end of the action, with the Saints defending and wrapping up the win, in what was an entertaining clash between both sides, a great way to return after the exam break. The Scholars next face the Leeds Rhinos on the 26th of June, down at Blackbrook!
Hull FC Team: 1. Tyler Eccles, 2. Kirils Prigorkins, 3. Leon Hayward, 4. Thomas Cheshire, 5. Rhys Yorke, 6. Kingsley Sharpe, 7. Josh Horne, 8. Vincent Donnachie, 9. Finley Davis, 10. Jackon Smith, 11. Cohen Cass, 12. Rio Kassim, 13. Finley Wilson.
Bench: 14. Billy Boulter, 15. Ellis Chapman, 16. Logan Edwards, 17. Spencer George, 18. Zak Nelson-Hewitt, 19. Caleb Paleaaesina, 20. Trent Turner.
Tries: Rhys Yorke, Kinglsey Sharpe, Jackson Smith.
Goals: Kinglsey Sharpe (3 from 3)
Saints Team: 23. Jack Campbell, 2. Luke Brighouse, 3. Jacob Taylor, 4. James Moss, 5. Noah Carter, 1. Tyler McGann, 7. Cooper Jones, 8. Leon Johnson, 24. Jude Morley, 10. Declan Lyon, 11. Oscar Knox, 12. Nathan Percival, 13. Chris Matagi.
Bench: 9. James Patterson, 15. Riley Heath, 16. Ewan Gilford, 17. Finley Beale, Stephen Watson, 19. Ollie Roby, 20. Oliver Corless.
Tries: Jack Campbell (2), Nathan Percival, Tyler McGann.
Goals: Jack Campbell (3 from 4)
HT: 12-12
FT: 18-22