Our Saints Scholarship side got their season underway with a 18-18 draw at the Robin Park Arena, in a great clash between the two sides.
First Half
The Saints started the game on top, with their fast line speed and contact presenting the Saints with good field position to strike. Their pressure on the Wigan line finally paid off, with Oliver Knox crossing over with 25 minutes on the clock. A play the under the sticks saw Knox fly onto the pass from dummy-half, get low and crash through the Warriors line to score left of the posts. Finn James stepped up and converted, 0-6.
Six minutes later, the Saints were in again. Once again on the Wigan line the Saints spread the ball wide and went close through Leo Gaskell. The Saints played back to the middle, a ball to skipper Alfie Lyon saw him draw in the Wigan defenders before tipping the ball on to Joe Hart who flew onto the pass to score under the posts. James converted, 0-12.
The Saints continued to dominate the first half, with efforts from Kian Redford, Lyon & Knox continuing to drive the Saints forward, and dominate the middle of the field, but the Wigan line continued to defend their line, and hold out the Saints attacks on their line.
Second Half
It would be the Warriors who started the second half on top. An error gifted Wigan a set on the Saints line, and a strong line from Finley Davies saw him go through to score from 10 metres out left of the posts. Alex Carlile stepped up and converted to reduce the Saints lead to 6-12 after six minutes of the first half.
Wigan would cross over again just after the 50 minute mark, drawing the game level. A shift to the right saw Liam Cartwright released down the right edge, he stepped back inside and got around the on coming scrambling Saints defence to score under the posts. Carlile stepped up, converted to level the game 12-12.
Despite the Saints efforts to get back on top of the game, with Dylan Barnes and Kyran Greenall chewing up metres taking the Saints forward, it would again be Wigan who crossed over. A strong carry to the line from Finley Swann saw him go in under the pots, and with his third successful conversion, Carlile put the Warriors ahead 18-12.
The Saints come out flying from kick-off, and started to re-apply the pressure they had in the first half in the second. Jayden Garrathy & Barnes both came close to scoring but both came short of the line. Strong defence led by Knox & Lyon got the Saints multiple repeat sets, which finally turned into points. After attacking the left edge, the Saints come back in field, where Knox once again come crashing onto the ball getting low to score. The boot of James converted from the awkward angle, bringing the game level 18-18.
😇 Our Under 16s start the 2026 season with a battling draw away at Wigan!
Tries from Oliver Knox, Joe Hart and Alfie Lyon, with Finn James converting all three scores for the Saints 🦵
A brilliant game of rugby league between two clubs who pride themselves on developing young… pic.twitter.com/esmlXhEcGL
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 25, 2026
A brilliant performance from the lads, and a great game between two teams who continue to bring through the next generation of players. Next up for our Scholars is the Leigh Leopards at The BrewDog Stadium, as they look to get their first win of the year, next Wednesday 1st April.
Match Summary
Saints Team: 1. Dylan Barnes, 2. Kyran Greenall, 3. Leo Gaskell, 4. Jayden Garrathy, 5. Isaac Kelsey, 6. Finn James, 7. Joe Hart, 8. Kian Redford, 9. Reuben Hirst, 10. Alfie Lyon (c), 11. Robbie Simpson, 12. Aidan Rawsthorne, 13. Oliver Knox.
Bench: 14. Mac Finn, 15. Rhys Wood, 16. Lucas Orgill, 17. Conor Briggs, 19. Tyler Kenyon, 20. Ethan Bass, 21. Tyler Preston.
Saints Tries: Oliver Knox (2), Joe Hart
Goals: Finn James (3 from 3)
Wigan Team: 1. Bobby Hughes, 2. Alfie Allender, 3. Liam Cartwright, 4. Kian Norman, 5. Owen Santus, 6. Reece Hill, 7. Alex Carlile, 8. Jude Rowe, 9. Tommy O’Connor, 10. Finley Swann, 11. Ashton Hetherington, 12. Finlay Davies, 13. Kingston Leuluai.
Bench: 14. Alex Higham, 15. Paddy Burrows, 16. Ollie Wright, 17. Lucas Read, 18. Aiden Wright, 19. Asher Keta, 24. Cyrus Owen-Green.
Tries: Finlay Davies, Liam Cartwright, Finley Swann
Goals: Alex Carlile (3/3)
HT: 0-12
FT: 18-18
