Our young Saints got their first win of the year, with a commanding 46-10 result over the Leigh Leopards!
First Half
It was a fast start for the Saints, kicking-off deep into the Leigh half, there line speed caused an error from the Leopards 20 metres out from their own line. Kyran Greenall picked up the loose ball and skipped inside, brough down seven metres out, Lucas Orgill delivered a pass from dummy-half to Oliver Knox who flew onto the ball and went straight through the Leigh defence to score left of the sticks. Finn James converted, 6-0.
The 11 minute mark saw the Saints get their second. A repeat set forced by the Saints with their strong defence was made to pay. A shift to the right saw Isaac Kelsey break down the wing, before coming back inside and brough down on the 10 metre mark. Alfie Lyon took the next carry, and with dummy and late footwork, he went through the line and dragged the Leigh Fullback with him to score to the right. James converted, 12-0.
Five minutes later and the Saints were in again. A strong carry from Aidan Rawsthorne was rewarded with a penalty as he tried to play the ball. On the 30 metre line, the Saints played left to right, with Joe Hart, James and skipper Dylan Barnes linking up, before Barnes fired a brilliant ball to wingman Kelsey who flew down the sideline, avoided the touchline and rounded the fullback to finish a great play in the corner. James stepped up and converted with a brilliant kick from the sideline, 18-0.
24th minute saw the Saints go in for their next score. A smart pass from James saw Robbie Simpson break the Leigh line, he was brought down 1o out from the Leigh line. The next player James jumped in at dummy half, dummied the pass right, attacked back behind the ruck and fended off the fullback to score to the right. He stepped up and converted his own score, 24-0 the Saints led.
But, the Leopards weren’t going down without a fight, with a quick double from David Asataini getting Leigh in the game. The first game from a nice shift right, with Jake Hancock coming round the back at fullback and finding his winger to score in the corner. Oliver Sumner couldn’t convert this time. The second game in the next set, with a penalty give Leigh a full set in the Saints 20 metre area. The Leopards attacked right again, with Hancock once again finding Asataini in the corner to score. Sumner converted this time, 24-10 with 5 left to play.
Right before the break the Saints would extend their lead and head in to the break in control. A penalty for dragging Jayden Garrathy in to touch let the Saints in for a full set in Leigh territory. Strong carries from Lyon, Tyler Kenyon and Kian Redford got the Saints on the roll, Redford offloaded to Josh Lamb, who charged at the line to score, after only being on the field for a matter of minutes! James converted, 30-10 at the break.
Second Half
Five minutes is all it took for the Saints to resume their scoring dominance, with James going in for his second. The number 7 was tackled, he played the ball and chased a high kick from Barnes to the right corner, the ball was allowed to bounce and James collected it in the air, rounded the fullback to score under the posts. He once again converted his own score, 36-10 the Saints.
It would be the 63rd minute when the Saints would go in again. A break from Leo Gaskell down the left got Saints in good field territory, followed by two strong carries from Redford and Lyon, the Saints played towards the middle, Rhys Wood collected a low pass, before stepping back inside to slip through the Leigh defence to score under the posts. James would convert, taking the Saints past the 40 point mark, 42-10.
The final points of the game came within the last five minutes, with the Saints dominating the game limiting Leigh to only two sets in their 20 metre all half in what was difficult conditions. A penalty won by Hart who fought for a quick play the ball got Saints in great field position. A strong carry from Conor Briggs looked like he had scored, but he was seen to be held up. Lamb went himself the next play, coming close again, but on the next play, Briggs passed the ball to Wood, he played out the back to Simpson who found wingman Greenall to dive in at the corner to finish off a smart short side play! Wood just missed with the conversion, 46-10.
FT | A brilliant second half from the Saints, in tough conditions, see’s them seal the win!
Second half tries from James, Wood & Greenall for the Saints, with two conversions from James
Congrats fellas 😇#COYS pic.twitter.com/X0ZjEjSFJc
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 1, 2026
Our Scholars take on the Bradford Bulls next up, with a trip to Odsal next Wednesday 8th April, as they look to continue their great start to the year!
Match Summary
Saints Team: 1. Dylan Barnes (c), 2. Kyran Greenall, 3. Jayden Garrathy, 4. Mac Finn, 5. Isaac Kelsey, 6. Joe Hart, 7. Finn James, 8. Conor Briggs, 9. Lucas Orgill, 10. Alfie Lyon, 11. Aidan Rawsthorne, 12. Robbie Simspson, 13. Oliver Knox.
Bench: 14. Rhys Wood, 15. Tyler Kenyon, 16. Leo Gaskell, 17. Kian Redford, 18. Ethan Bass, 19. Josh Lamb, 20. Tyler Preston.
Tries: Finn James (2), Oliver Knox, Isaac Kelsey, Alfie Lyon, Josh Lamb, Rhys Wood, Kyran Greenall.
Goals: Finn James (7 from 7), Rhys Wood, (0 from 1).
Leigh Team: 1. Jake Hancock, 2 David Asataini, 3. Lucas O’Connor, 4. Harrison Forsythe, 5. Isaac O’Brien, 6. Sonny Astley, 7. Oliver Sumner, 8. Austin Townsend, 9. Finley Twiss, 10. Charlie Leech, 11. Olly Cartwright, 12, Kadan Barker, 13. Louie Cunliffe.
Bench: 14. Jake Mullen, 15. Charlie Kelly, 16. Haddison Etchou, 17. George McDermott, 18. Lennon Sargeant, 19. Jamie Graham, 20. Ben Sykes.
Tries: David Asataini (2).
Goals: Oliver Sumner (1 from 2).
HT: 30-10
FT: 46-10
