Scholars go back to back with win over Bulls!

First Half

The Saints would kick-off the game, and a dropped ball from the Bulls was bounced on by the captain Oliver Knox who dove on the bouncing ball to score, just 10 seconds into the game! The conversion from Finn James was a successful one, 0-6 the Saints after just one minute.

A kick return from Leo Gaskell was rewarded with a penalty with the fullback taken high. Some strong carries got the Saints 10 metres out from the Bulls line, a shift from left to right saw Joe Hart find James, who attacked the line, hitting Rhys Wood with a sharp, flat ball seeing him crash over the top of the Bradford number one to score right of the sticks. James converted, 0-12

With 13 minutes on the clock, the Saints were in again. A break from Knox from within his own half, he was supported by Hart who was brough down 3o metres out from the Bulls line. A shift to the right, James played out the back to Gaskell who delivered an outstanding over the top pass to winger Isaac Kelsey who scored in the corner. James just missed with his conversion out-wide, 0-16.

Our Scholars were in again, just as the 20 minute mark approached. A good kick was fielded well by Kyran Greenall. The next play the ball Gaskell scouted from dummy-half, he skipped past the markers and burst through the line, raced away past the fullback to finish off an outstanding individual 90 metre effort! James converted, 0-22.

The Saints defence held strong, and withheld multiple assaults by the Bulls towards their line, but just before the break Max Branigan would get over with a scout from dummy-half, despite the scrambling efforts from the Saints to hold up the ball. Elliot Dennison converted, 6-22 at the break.

Second Half

This time it would be the Bulls who strook just after the restart. A short kick-off was retrieved by the Bulls, and got them straight into an attacking position. A tip on close to the line allowed Max Flanagan to slip through a gap and score just right of the posts. Dennison converted, 12-22.

But, the Saints responded well, and quick Another great kick return from Greenall saw him break the line getting the Saints up to there own 30. Followed by a strong carries from Jayden Garrathy, Alfie Lyon & Conor Briggs, Saints found themselves right on the Bulls line. On the last, a pin-point grubber kick from James spun away from the Bradford defenders and was grounded in-goal by Dylan Barnes to score. James just missed with the conversion, 12-26.

15 minutes into the game and the Bulls would go in for their third. An interception got Bradford down into Saints territory. An attack to the left saw Ben Kavanagh step back inside to ground the ball in the corner. Converted again by Dennison, the Saints lead cut to eight, 18-26.

A brilliant kick-off from James wasn’t dealt with, and the Saints started 10 metres out from the Bradford line, after a retreating Bulls player collected the ball in an offside position. Playing left to right, Gaskell chimed in out the back, before stepping back inside offloading to Lyon who collected the ball, stepped past one Bulls defender, and taking another with him as he crashed over to score. James converted, 18-32.

It wouldn’t be until the 74th minute until the Saints crossed for their next. A deep kick from Bradford was collected by Kelsey, who returned the ball, stepping the first man in the Bradford kick chase and accelerated through the Bradford defence, standing up the Bulls fullback to score a sensational solo effort to grab his second. James once again stepped up, and converted 18-38.

The final try of the game came shortly after to put the cherry on the cake for the Saints. After a kick from Hart was charged down by Bradford, the Saints had a fresh set of six in Bradford territory. 10 metres out, Lucas Orgill jumped form dummy-half, releasing a ball to Lyon who attacked back behind the ruck to score his second of the game. James successful conversion was followed by the final whistle, 18-44 the final score.

FT | A win for the Saints!

A strong fightback from the Bulls to start the half, but our Saints weathered the storm, and took back control

A second from Kelsey, along with a double from Lyon and a try Barnes secure the win 👊#COYS pic.twitter.com/v2OUtunbGC

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 8, 2026

Back to back wins for our Scholars, who continue their unbeaten start to the year. Next up is the Warrington Wolves at The BrewDog Stadium on Wednesday 15th April, as our young Saints look to record three in a row before a break in their games ahead of the exam period.

Match Summary

Bradford Team: 1. Lucas Murray, 2. Scott Hewitt, 3. Harrison Hogg, 4. Olly Farrar, 5. Ben Kavanagh, 6. Elliot Dennison, 7. Charlie Turpin, 8. Hayden Olivieri, 9. Lennon Morris, 10. Euan Fletcher, 11. Alfie Foyle, 12. Elliot Magson, 13. Warren Cowan.

Bench: 14. Dylan O’Brien, 15. Dexter Hood, 16. Finn McCabe, 17. Max Branigan, 18. Max Flanagan, 19. Noah Callander, 20. Joshua Hunt.

Tries: Max Branigan,

Goals: Elliot Dennison (3 from 3).

Saints Team: 1. Leo Gaskell, 2. Kyran Greenall, 3. Jayden Garrathy, 4. Rhys Wood, 5. Isaac Kelsey, 6. Joe Hart, 7. Finn James, 8. Spencer Lowe, 9. Lucas Orgill, 10. Alfie Lyon, 11. Robbie Simpson, 12. Mac Finn, 13. Oliver Knox (c).

Bench: 14. Dylan Barnes, 15. Kian Redford, 16. Josh Lamb, 17. Conor Briggs, 18. Aidan Rawsthorne, 20. Harvey Woolfenden, 27. Oscar Kenny.

Tries: Alfie Lyon (2), Isaac Kelsey (2), Oliver Knox, Rhys Wood, Leo Gaskell, Dylan Barnes.

Goals: Finn James (6 from 8).

HT: 6-22

FT: 18-44