Saints lost 12-15 to Wigan Warriors in the Academy Grand Final at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Wednesday evening...
Both sides tried to grab early points. First off, Saints broke downfield through Louie Roberts who was eventually tackled. The following play, George Whitby’s kick was caught by Owen Dagnall, but he was wrapped up short of the line. Wigan then had their best chance. Jack Farrimond’s high kick was patted backward by Nathan Lowe, but Saints recovered the loose ball.
Saints did take a 14th minute lead though. Louie Roberts broke down the Wigan left edge after collecting a pass from Harry Robertson and found Tom Humphreys in support, he broke a tackle before stumbling over the try-line to score. Whitby added the extras, 6-0 Saints led.
Wigan looked to hit back. Finlay Yeomans broke through a gap, but a great tackle from Roberts allowed Saints to recover. The Cherry and Whites tried to shift the ball at the end of the set, but Ellis Anderson stopped Joshua Cartwright short of the line. Soon after Wigan broke again. Kallum Rathbrone broke directly through the middle of the Saints defence and found Noah Hodkinson in support, the pass was ruled forward though and Saints got the ball back.
20’ Not much in it after the first quarter, both sides dealing with the heavy rain very well.
😇 6-0 🍒⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/plA4C22fT3
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 25, 2024
The visitors did get their first points of the game just before the break. After spending a lot of time camped on Saints’ line, Jack Purtill tried to pinch one from dummy half and Saints were unable to stop him from close range. Farrimond levelled the scores with the conversion, 6-6.
With the following set, Wigan took the lead. Farrimond tried an ambitious drop-goal from long distance and nailed it to give the Warriors a 6-7 advantage at the break.
⏸ The Saints trail by one point at the break in the 2024 Academy Grand Final.#COYS pic.twitter.com/BSRfcW7BNu
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 25, 2024
Early in the second half, Wigan had another try. Off the back of a penalty, the visitors moved the ball down their right edge and Noah Hodkinson was able to escape a tackle and score in the corner. Farrimond converted from the touchline, 6-13 Saints trailed.
Another could have quickly followed. Again, Wigan tried to shift the ball to their right edge near our line, but this time some good scrambling defence from Saints pushed the visitors into touch.
It took sixteen second half minutes for Saints to create an opening. Robertson wondered across the Wigan line before spotting a gap and breaking through and kicking ahead, Wigan cleared it for a goal-line dropout as Saints forced the repeat set.
Saints made the most of the repeat set. Robertson again making things happen, as he put Oliver Garmston through a gap to score down the right edge. Whitby added the extras, 12-13.
Two minutes later, Saints had the chance to take the lead. The Red V were awarded a penalty for a high shot, Whitby opting to kick for goal from roughly 42 metres out. The kick went narrowly wide to the left though, Saints still trailed 12-13.
Wigan then had the chance to kick for two from a similar distance, and opted to do so. This time, Farrimond slotted it through the sticks, as Wigan increased their advantage to 12-15.
65’ Fifteen to go, one point in it.
Come on Saints. 👊
😇 12-13 🍒⚪️ pic.twitter.com/RVpyD0uJ6X
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 25, 2024
Wigan could’ve sealed the deal as we entered the final ten minutes. Farrimond intercepted Robertson’s pass and raced back the other way, Matthew Penketh did brilliantly to race back and force the Wigan half-back into touch though.
Saints threatened to take the lead late on. Roberts was first held up over the Wigan line, before Whitby’s kick on the last forced a goal-line dropout. The hosts were unable to make the most of their extra set though, as Wigan forced an error.
The hosts nearly won it with the last chance in the final minute. Whitby’s high kick was palmed back by Dagnall, Elliot Jamieson picked the loose ball up broke a tackle and headed for the line, but was held up courtesy of some last ditch defending from the Warriors.
⏹️ The Saints fall agonisingly short in the Academy Grand Final 2024. #COYS pic.twitter.com/NzFElovzmS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 25, 2024
Match Summary
Saints Academy Team: Louie Roberts, Ellis Anderson, Matthew Penketh, Owen Dagnall, Elliot Jamieson, Harry Robertson, George Whitby, Daniel Frost, Tom Humphreys, Oliver Polec, Jake Davies, Billy Keeley, Cole Marsh.
Interchanges: Oliver Garmston, Alfie Tate, Matthew Evans, Oliver Stankevitch.
18th Man: Kian McGann.
Tries: Tom Humphreys (14), Oliver Garmston (58)
Conversions: George Whitby (2 from 2)
Penalties: George Whitby (0 from 1)
Wigan Warriors Academy Team: Noah Hodkinson, Daniel Austin, Finlay Yeomans, Nathan Lowe, Joshua Cartwright, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Farrimond, Dylan Kelly-Duffy, Jack Purtill, Kian McDermott, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Lukas Mason, Taylor Kerr.
Interchanges: Harlen Smith, Leo Wadsworth, Kalum Rathbone, Shea O’Connor.
18th Man: Michael Porter.
Tries: Jack Purtill (36), Noah Hodkinson (45)
Conversions: Jack Farrimond (2 from 2)
Penalties: Jack Farrimond (1 from 1)
Drop-goal: Jack Farrimond (38)
HT: 6-7
FT: 12-15
Attendance: 1,240
