Our Academy Saints returned to action with a trip to Hull KR, leaving with honours even between the sides, battling out a 22-22 draw.
First Half
It was a frustrating start to the game for the Saints, two great sets with and without the ball looked to have Saints in early control, but against the run of play Hull KR broke down the Saints right, with an outstanding recovery tackle from skipper Oscar Knox preventing a certain try. The Robins quickly shifted the ball from left to right, with the ball ending up in the arms of Riley Dunne who touched down in the corner. Conversion missed by Alex Gorman, 4-0 after five minutes.
Rovers would cross over again in the next set. After the kick-off was sent out on the full, the Rovers started a full set in Saints territory. A shift to the the left of KR saw them break down the wing, Henry Hope skipped down the touchline to score to the left. Gorman sent the conversion wide, 8-0.
But, an awesome response from the Saints followed. Some strong contacts from Toby Bottell & Callum Holmes forced the Rovers to spill the ball. After an offload from Chris Matagi to Holmes almost sent him over, the prop forward would attack the Hull line once more two tackles later, and crash over to score his first try for the Saints! Campbell stepped up, and converted, 8-6 after just 10 minutes.
Five minutes later, the Saints took the lead. A penalty got Saints up the field, some strong carries got them up to the 20 metre line. Tyler McGann looked to play to the middle of the field, stepped back to the left, delivering a pass to Tyler Mills who found Cavell Kibula who scored in the corner. Campbell couldn’t convert, but the Saints led, 8-10.
It wouldn’t be until the 25th minute until the next score. A strong carry from Matagi got the Saints on the front foot, a quick play the ball 25 out was sent to James Moss, who used his footwork to beat the Hull KR defence, before delivering an offload to Kibula who dove in at the corner for his second of the game. Campbell’s conversion blew wide of the post, 8-14.
The Robins would get over shortly after to tie the game up. A break through the middle of the field from Alfie Woods, he found Charlie Forrester in support who scored just left of the uprights. Gorman converted this time, 14-14 at the break.
Second Half
It was another good start to a half from the Saints, which this time they made count. A break from Campbell got the Saints 30 metres out, an attack down the left, Moss found Campbell, he then found the man outside in Kibula who dove over with a great finish to grab his third of the game. Campbell couldn’t convert, 14-18.
The 57th minute saw the Robins take the lead again. A barrage of six-agains’ allowed the Rovers to attack multiple times at the Saints line. After holding out multiple attempts down the middle, a shift to the left saw Harry Moore get passed to score to the left. Gorman converted, 20-18.
A quick response came, the Saints took the lead once more. As the game approached the 65th minute mark, the Saints found themselves in good field territory. A shift right saw Matagi find Dan Kent in shape, he found Campbell out the back to send him straight through a gap in the defence of Hull KR, to race away and score to the right of the field. His conversion just went wide once more, 20-22 the Saints led.
It would be an attack of the Saints defence that followed, defending multiple sets on their own line. Multiple adjudged penalties and six-agains’ against the Saints, but they continued to defend their line and keep the Robins out. A penalty in front of the sticks for an alleged high tackle was converted by Gorman to tie the game, 22-22.
The Saints once again stood strong, and charged down a drop-goal attempt from Hull KR, before the final whistle went, the final score 22-22.
FT | It ends all square here at Hull KR
Despite a third for Kibula, and a score from Jack Campbell the game ends level.
Regroup and go again 👊#COYS pic.twitter.com/caMnU1FNRp
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 22, 2026
A frustrating result for the Saints, but plenty of lessons learnt, along with effort, commitment and team ship to be proud of heading into next week. Next up for the Saints is the derby, facing the Wigan Warriors next Saturday 2pm, at Ruskin Drive!
Match Summary:
Saints Team: 1. Jack Campbell, 2. Cavell Kibula, 3. James Moss, 4. Luke Brighouse, 5. Noah Carter, 6. Dan Kent, 7. Tyler McGann, 8. Callum Holmes, 9. James Patterson, 10. Toby Bottell, 11. Tyler Mills, 12. Oscar Knox, 18. Chris Matagi.
Bench: 13. Ollie Roby, 14. Dec Lyon, 16. Liam Nixon, 17. Bobby Tyerman.
18th Man: 15. Leon Davies.
Tries: Cavell Kibula (3), Callum Holmes, Jack Campbell.
Goals: Jack Campbell (1 from 5).
Hull KR Team: 1. Rhys Williams, 2. Riley Dunn, 3. James Wilson, 4. Harry Moore, 5. Henry Hope, 6. Alex Gorman, 7. Harrison Horne, 8. Alfie Petty, 9. Josh Guynan, 10. Adam Todd, 11. Luca Irwin, 12. Evan Williams, 13. Alfie Woods.
Bench: 14. Charlie Forrester, 15. Theo Middlesmas, 16. Teo Ema, 17. Henry Tully.
18th Man: 18. Locklyn Hartley.
Tries: Riley Dunn, Henry Hope, Charlie Forrester, Harry Moore.
Goals: Alex Gorman (3 from 5).
HT: 14-14
FT: 22-22
