Saints win Reserves Grand Final

With a number of First Team players for both sides, mixed with Reserves and Academy talent too, The Derby to settle the Reserves Grand Final was set to be a cracker.

😇 Here’s how the Saints lineup for this afternoon’s Reserves Grand Final against @WiganWarriorsRL at the @twstadium!

Best of luck gents, do us proud. 😤#COYS pic.twitter.com/GAzarW9tsX

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 8, 2024

It was a strong start for St.Helens who earned home advantage by coming top of the Reserves Championship in the regular league season. The Saints, deep in the Wigan half put some great shape together testing the edge of Wigan early, with Jonny Vaughan sending a grubber kick in behind, the Saints on rushing chase met the Wigan winger, forcing him to spill the ball. The Saints regathered possession, and straight away struck with five minutes played. A strong carry from Brett Bailey saw him charge over the line, and ground the ball, and half-back Will Roberts converted. 6-0 the Saints led.

15 minutes through, the Warriors responded. A penalty for a high shot presented Wigan with their first chance in the Saints half, with the opportunity taken. A carry 25 metres out from the try line from Harvey Hill saw his break through and slide over to score. Jack Farrimond converted from just left of the posts, to tie the game up, 6-6 with fifteen minutes played.

Saints responded to the visitors’ first points strongly, going back ahead through a George Whitby and Roberts link up to shift the ball from left to right on the halfway line. Whitby fed the ball out to Jonny Vaughan, who drew in the Warriors winger before finding Ben Will, who raced down the touchline to score and finish brilliantly in the corner. Roberts could not add the conversion from out wide, leaving the Saints ahead by four, 10-6, 23 minutes gone.

Shortly after the Saints’ second were going to be in again, as Whitby looked to poke a kick in behind 10 meters out from the Wigan line, his kick was blocked by the Warriors’ defence, and saw Finley Yeomans collect the ball and run from his own 20 metre area to score in the corner for Wigan, despite the efforts of Ben Davies who chased valiantly to get him. Farrimond did not convert the score, 1o-10.

With three minutes remaining in the first half, the Saints looked the threaten again as they attacked down the short side to the right, but a late hit on Ben Lane presented the Saints with the chance to nudge themselves ahead again with a penalty goal. Roberts stepped up, and converted 12-10.

Another penalty came quickly after and just on the stroke of half-time. Two six-agains, followed by a penalty for a high tackle gave the Saints another chance to take the two, which Roberts did, sending the Saints into the break ahead by four, 14-10.

⏸ A brilliant first half of rugby league in the Reserves Grand Final by both sides.

The Saints have the edge at half time.#COYS pic.twitter.com/2iI2uzWGcs

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 8, 2024

It was a great start to the second half, crossing over in the first minute! An error from kick-off saw Saints collect the ball 2 metres out from the Wigan line. With his first touch off the ball, Cole Marsh scooted from nine and dived over to score right next to the left post and extend the Saints lead straight away. Roberts stepped up and converted, 20-10.

Wigan however responded just five minutes later. A 40/20 from Tom Ratchford saw Wigan get out of their own half, and quickly shifted the ball left to the hands of Jacob Douglas who got low and crossed over in the corner. Farrimond couldn’t convert, 20-14.

Wigan would strike again in the 55th minute. After being penalised for lying on in the tackle, Wigan entered Saints territory again. They broke down the right of the field, but scrambling defence brought Yeomans down. However Ratchford collected the ball from nine and scooted to score in the corner. Farrimond missed with the conversion attempt, 20-18.

A minute later, Wigan were reduced to 12. Ben Lane took a high bomb but copped a nasty tackle for his efforts, which saw him leave the field for a HIA. Sumner was subsequently sent to the sin-bin for the tackle, leaving Wigan down to 12.

The Saints took advantage of the overlap on the edge, playing to the left when they entered the Wigan half. A 20 metre tap was quickly executed by Ben Davies who raced away to get the Saints up the field. 15 metres out from the line, the Saints attacked left with Ellis Anderson getting the ball and diving over in the corner after some lovely hands from Sam Royle and McKenzie Buckley put the winger away. Roberts couldn’t convert, leaving the Saints ahead by 6 as we entered the final 15 minutes of the game, 24-18.

The Saints defended their line, and kept turning up for the person both inside and out of them, as Wigan kept threating to tie the game. With 16 seconds remaining the Warriors send a high bomb up, but up stepped Ben Davies, who stepped in at fullback, to claim the ball and secure the win for the Saints!

🏆 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗘𝗦 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

The Saints beat Wigan to win the Reserves Grand Final 2024! #COYS pic.twitter.com/56LGvsMQx0

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 8, 2024

Saints Team: 1. Ben Lane, 2. Ben Will, 3. Jonathon Vaughan, 4. Ben Davies, 5. Ellis Anderson, 6. George Whitby, 7. Will Roberts, 8. Alfie Sinclair, 9. Ciaran Nolan, 10. Brett Bailey, 11. McKenzie Buckley, 12. Sam Royle, 13. Leon Cowen.

Bench: 14. Cole Marsh, 15. Sam Oakes, 17. Jerry Carty, 18. Noah Stephens.

18th Player: 19. Max McGucken.

Tries: Brett Bailey, Ben Will, Cole Marsh, Ellis Anderson.

Goals: Will Roberts (4 from 6).

Wigan Team: 1. Noah Hodkinson, 2. Reagan Sumner, 3. Finlay Yeomans, 4. Nathan Lowe, 5. Jacob Douglas, 6. Charlie Yeomans, 7. Jack Farrimond, 8. Kian McDermott, 9. Kalum Rathbone, 10. Harvey Makin, 11. Finley Beardsworth, 12. Lukas Mason, 13. Harvie Hill.

Bench: 14. Tom Ratchford, 15. Josh Cartwright, 16. Trent Kelly-Duffy, 17. Ryan Brown.

18^th Player: 18. Dylan Kelly-Duffy

Tries: Harvie Hill, Finley Yeomans, Jacob Douglas, Tom Ratchford

Goals: Jack Farrimond (1 from 4).

Sin-Bin: Reagan Sumner (56 mins)