Today saw the first game of our tour with a fixture against Canterbury Bulldogs. The opening exchanges saw both teams start really strong, with the Bulldogs capitalising on an early Saints error with a smarty executed kick from the lively standoff, kicking cross field for his winger to collect and score first.

Shortly after the restart and following a penalty, the Bulldogs scored again after some good hands once again the left winger finishing well for his brace.

This time the conversion was successful and the Saints were under pressure trailing 10-0.

Saints fought their way back into the game by completing some good sets with Captain Evan Bullen and Sam Royle leading the charge. Great play by Jack Welsby sent Ben Sims through a gap and he drew the fullback to put hard working prop forward Christian Kellet charging under the sticks.

Josh Simm adding the extras.

Saints soon found themselves in front as following a Josh Simm break, Sam Royle hit a good line to score under the posts, again Simm converts to make the score 12-10.

Both team’s defence remained strong and unbroken for the remainder of the half with Saints taking a slender lead into the sheds.

Saints totally dominated the second half scoring 26 unanswered points against a much changed Bulldogs outfit.

Jamie Little was first over the whitewash following good interplay between Welsby, Horne and Foster; Welsby converting for 18-10. From the restart following big carries from Hutchings and Taylor, Welsby cross the line and then converted his own try.

Next to score, after a piece of individual brilliance, was pivot Ryan Horne. This time the conversion was unsuccessful and left Saints 28-10 to the good.

Saints continued to play with flair in attack and tenacity in defence and next to score, with a Tommy Makinson like one handed finish in the corner, was John Hutchings.

The scoring was completed with another fine Welsby pass sending Matty Foster to score a well deserved try.

Final score Saints 36 Canterbury Bulldogs 10.

Saints:
Jamie Little; John Hutchings, Sean Croston, Josh Simm, Tom Nisbet; Jack Welsby, Jake Wingfield, Evan Bullen, Paul Nash, Christian Kellet, Ben Sims, Joe Sherratt, Sam Royle.
Subs: Brandon ONeill, Luke Maloney-Ward, Ryan Horne, Kian Horridge, Kye Siyani, Reece Jackson, Matthew Foster, Kelvin Taylor, Brandon Scully.

Warren McDonnell, Bulldogs recruitment Manager presented some awards after the match.

He selected: 

  • Jack Welsby as Best Back
  • Evan Bullen as Best Forward
  • Jack Welsby as Best and Fairest

Keep an eye on @saints1890 on Twitter for live coverage from the games – and in match pics too!