Our Saints Academy came away with a disappointing result, as they fell to a 18-30 loss to Wigan at Ruskin Drive.
First Half
It was a great start for the Saints, going over in the first set of the game. On the third tackle, Tyler McGann spotted an attack down the short side, the ball came left, he found Jack Campbell who tipped on brilliantly to Tyerman, he had Cavell Kibula outside him, along with McGann back on the inside, who received the ball and raced away and score under the posts. Campbell converted, 6-0.
Seven minutes later, the game was all level. An error from the Saints allowed Wigan a full set attacking the Saints line. A scoot from dummy-half from Joe McGann saw him get under the Saints defence to score. Alfie Maden converted, 6-6.
Wigan would go in for the next score to take the lead. As the 15-minute mark approached, a shift to the Warriors right saw Conner Oxbury go over to score in the corner. Maden converted once more, 6-12.
A piece of magic from Campbell however just six minutes later would again tie the game. On the last, Campbell evaded the on-coming Wigan kick pressure, before chipping the ball over the top, and regathering ahead of his opposition number 1 to score under the posts to score an outstanding individual try. Converting his own score, the game was again level, 12-12.
It would be the Warriors who entered the break ahead. Despite an obstruction the play before, Wigan played the ball on the Saints line, and a step back inside from Tom Farrimond allowed him to score under the posts. Maden converted, 12-18.
Second Half
It would be another Wigan try to start the second half. A short ball at the line sent Shea O’Connor through the line, and after the referee took out Campbell at the back, the prop had a clear line to the try line to score. Maden converted, Wigan lead 12-24.
Wigan would go over again with 50 gone on the clock. Camped on the Saints line, a ball back to the middle to Lucas Fethertson saw him crash under the sticks. Maden converted, 12-30.
The Saints would fight back, low on troops after losing Dan Kent and Ollie Roby to HIA in the second half, the fight in the team didn’t go away. After a good break from Campbell, McGann scooped up the next player the ball, attacked behind the markers to score his second. Campbell converted, which would be the final score of the game, 18-30.
⏹️ Full time at Ruskin Drive in the Academy Derby#COYS pic.twitter.com/7lBfYne1fd
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) May 2, 2026
A good fight from our Saints, who on another day would have left with a result, but attention must turn to next week away at Wakefield, where our Saints will look to get back to winning ways.
Match Summary:
Saints Team: 1. Jack Campbell, 2. Cavell Kibula, 3. Bobby Tyerman, 26. Luke Brighouse, 5, Noah Carter, 13. Dan Kent, 7. Tyler McGann, 8. Toby Bottell, 9. James Patterson, 10. Dec Lyon, 11. James Moss, 12. Oscar Knox, 18. Chris Matagi.
Bench: 14. Ollie Roby, 15. Tyler Mills, 16. Callum Holmes, 17. Leon Davies.
18th Man: 20 Riley Heath.
Tries: Tyler McGann (2), Jack Campbell.
Goals: Jack Campbell (3 from 3).
Wigan Team: 1. Sam Dickenson, 2. Conner Oxbury, 3. Bailey Jones, 4. Jovi Bentley-Elliot, Zak Bielecki, 6. Tom Farrimond, 7. Alfie Maden, 8. Shea O’Connor, 9. Joe McGann, Lucas Fetherston, 11. Charlie Jeffery-Stott, 12. Lewis Daniels, 13. Noah Forster.
Bench: 14. Clayton Mayberry, 15. Joe Hollins, 16. Harry Mikhail, 17. Cody Lyons-Ashworth.
18th Man: 18. Henry Briscoe.
Tries: Joe McGann, Conner Oxbury, Tom Farrimond, Shea O’Connor, Lucas Fetherston.
Goals: Alfie Maden (5 from 5).
HT: 12-18
FT: 18-30
