Castleford Tigers v Saints

Match Report
As it Happened
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Saints win Challenge Cup with win over Castleford at Wembley!

St Helens have won our first Challenge Cup trophy since 2008 with a 26-12 win over Castleford at Wembley on Saturday afternoon!

The Saints dominated the opening five minutes, spending most of it camped in the Castleford half but were unable to make the most of their good field position early on.

Theo Fages did open the scoring in the 10th minute though. A grubber kick from Jonny Lomax bounced off the post, and Fages was the quickest to pounce from close range, the video referee had a second look at it but the try was given. Lachlan Coote added the extras from in front of the sticks, 6-0 Saints led.

Castleford responded with their first real threat of the game in the 16th minute. A break from within their own half ended with Niall Evalds collecting a Peter Mata’utia kick and scoring to the right of the sticks. Gareth O’Brien levelled the scores, 6-6.

Cas extended their lead in the 25h minute. A high kick under the Saints sticks was not dealt with, Jake Trueman jumped highest to score and put the Tigers ahead for the first time. O’Brien added the extras from in front of the sticks, 12-6.

Those were the final points of the first half as Saints trailed 12-6 at the break at Wembley and knew they would need to be more clinical when in great field position for the second half if they were to turn the deficit around.

Saints thought they had scored two minutes into the second half as James Roby went over. A high kick was allowed to bounce, was patted back by Regan Grace and Roby was there to touch down. After a long video referee review the try was awarded. Coote added the extra two to once again level the scores at 12-12.

We then retook the lead in the 51st minute. A flowing move from left to right saw Jack Welsby, playing in the halves after Fages went off injured, found Kevin Naiqama. He then found Tommy Makinson who finished well in the right corner. Coote’s conversion from the right touchline went wide, 16-12 Saints led with just under 30 minutes left.

Cas got close to a response almost instantly, but a great tackle from Coote stopped Evalds from grabbing his second try as he made a big break downfield.

Saints had the chance to extend their lead to six points after Mark Percival was blocked off by Peter Mata’utia as he chased a kick, Coote’s penalty attempt was good, 18-12 Saints led.

Saints were awarded another penalty in the 70th minute as Castleford once again got caught offside by the referee. Coote converted the penalty to give us a 20-12 lead with 10 minutes left. A third consecutive attempt for two points followed as Makinson won a penalty after being tackled in the air. This time however, Coote’s penalty went wide so the score remained 20-12 to the Saints.

Kyle Amor topped off a wonderful afternoon for the Club as he added a fourth Saints try two minutes before the end – his first try of the season! A strong run from close range saw ‘Marra’ take four Castleford defenders with him and they couldn’t stop him as he went over – to mass Saints celebrations!

Another video referee check saw the try awarded and all but confirmed Saints would be Challenge Cup champions once again.

Coote once again added the extras from in front of the sticks, 16-12 and that is how it ended. St Helens had ended our 13 year wait for a Challenge Cup with a memorable victory at Wembley.

Saints Team: Lachlan Coote, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Joel Thompson, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles.

Interchanges: Matty Lees, Kyle Amor, Agnatius Paasi, Jack Welsby.

Tries: Theo Fages (10), James Roby (42), Tommy Makinson (51), Kyle Amor (78)

Conversions: Lachlan Coote (3 from 4)

Penalties: Lachlan Coote (2 from 3)

Castleford Tigers Team: Niall Evalds, Derrell Olpherts, Peter Mata’utia, Michael Shenton, Jordan Turner, Jake Trueman, Gareth O’Brien, Grant Millington, Paul McShane, George Griffin, Oliver Holmes, Jesse Sene-Lefao, Nathan Massey.

Interchanges: Liam Watts, Adam Milner, Alex Foster, Daniel Smith.

Tries: Niall Evalds (16), Jake Trueman (25)

Conversions: Gareth O’Brien (2 from 2)

HT: 6-12

FT: 26-12

Club Wed 21 Jul 21

Saints to face Castleford at Wembley

Saints Line up

1	Lachlan Coote
2	Tommy Makinson
3	Kevin Naiqama
4	Mark Percival
5	Regan Grace
6	Jonny Lomax
7	Theo Fages
8	Alex Walmsley
	James Roby
15	Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
11	Joel Thompson
12	Joe Batchelor
13	Morgan Knowles
10	Matty Lees
18	Kyle Amor
17	Agnatius Paasi
1	Jack Welsby

Castleford Tigers Line up

1	Niall Evalds
2	Derrell Olpherts
3	Peter Mata'utia
4	Michael Shenton
5	Jordan Turner
6	Jake Trueman
7	Gareth O’Brien
8	George Griffin
9	Paul McShane
10	Grant Millington
11	Oliver Holmes
12	Jesse Sene-Lefao
13	Nathan Massey
14	Liam Watts
15	Adam Milner
16	Alex Foster
17	Daniel Smith

Last updated 17 Jul 21 18:37:36

The 13 year wait is over. It’s lucky 13 for Saints…. 🥁

We are finally The Challenge Cup WINNERS again! 🏆

#COYS

The 13 year wait is over. It’s lucky 13 for Saints…. 🥁

We are finally The Challenge Cup WINNERS again! 🏆

#COYS

80'

FT: 🐯 Tigers 12-26 Saints 😇

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS WE’VE DONE IT!!!!!! 🏆

#COYS

79'

Goal

Lachlan Coote for Saints

COOOOOTE ADDS THE TWO!

🐯 Tigers 12-26 Saints 😇

78'

Try

Kyle Amor for Saints

MARRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!! Kyle Amor powers over to surely win the Challenge Cup for Saints!!!!!

🐯 Tigers 12-24 Saints 😇

75'

Makinson is tackled in the air and we have another penalty, but this time Cooote’s kick drifts wide.

🐯 Tigers 12-20 Saints 😇

71'

Goal

Lachlan Coote for Saints

Lomax steals the ball! We have it back before we then win a penalty for offside and again Coooote goes for the two….and kicks the two!

🐯 Tigers 12-20 Saints 😇

69'

We are so close to going in again on the far side as LMS is held up just short before the referee calls it back for a forward pass….Amor is back on for Lees.

🐯 Tigers 12-18 Saints 😇

65'

Goal

Lachlan Coote for Saints

Saints win a penalty to the left of the sticks and Cooooote kicks us further ahead!

🐯 Tigers 12-18 Saints 😇

63'

Walmsley is back on as Thompson goes off for a head assessment…17 to go!

🐯 Tigers 12-16 Saints 😇

62'

Roby’s 40-20 attempt goes out on the full and Cas will come again…

🐯 Tigers 12-16 Saints 😇

60'

WHAT defence from Saints as we force Cas into touch on the far side! The Saints fans to our left are in fine voice!

🐯 Tigers 12-16 Saints 😇

58'

LMS is back on for Iggy as Roby knocks on when trying to pick up a loose ball. Time to defend, boys!

🐯 Tigers 12-16 Saints 😇

54'

Cooote’s kick narrowly misses as Batchelor returns as Amor makes way…

🐯 Tigers 12-16 Saints 😇

51'

Try

Tommy Makinson for Saints

T MAKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!! Welsby picks up the loose ball, runs across the line, feeds Naiqama and he slips in Makinson who flies over to put us ahead!!

🐯 Tigers 12-16 Saints 😇

50'

Saints win the penalty as Cas are caught offside. A set in the Tigers half! Come on, boys!!

🐯 Tigers 12-12 Saints 😇

43'

Goal

Lachlan Coote for Saints

Coooote adds the two and we are all square! Get in!

🐯 Tigers 12-12 Saints 😇

43'

Try

James Roby for Saints

CAPTAINNNNN FANTASTIC!! The kick goes up, Cas let it bounce, it’s patted back by Grace and Robes is there to pick it up and touch down! It goes upstairs, but it’s given!!

🐯 Tigers 12-10 Saints 😇

41'

An early blow for Saints as Batchelor takes a knock to the head and is off for an assessment so Knowles is on in his place…

🐯 Tigers 12-6 Saints 😇

41'

We are back off in the second half and Matty Lees is out there. Fages is off so it looks like Welsby is in the halves alongside Lomax.

🐯 Tigers 12-6 Saints 😇

40'

HT: 🐯 Tigers 12-6 Saints 😇

We took an early lead through Fages, but tries from Evalds and Trueman means we trail at the break.

39'

Cas line up for the one pointer, but great Saints defence forces the knock on!

🐯 Tigers 12-6 Saints 😇

39'

McShane kicks through and Grace is there to boot the ball dead before Evalds can touch it down.

🐯 Tigers 12-6 Saints 😇

37'

Saints penalised for offside. Trueman finds touch and we must defend as we head towards the break.

🐯 Tigers 12-6 Saints 😇

34'

Iggy Paasi and Jack Welsby are on for Knowles and LMS and it’s Jack who is straight into the action breaking through the Cas line! The ball finds it’s way to Lomax, but his kick runs dead.

🐯 Tigers 12-6 Saints 😇

32'

Cas throw the ball around and nearly break through, but Olpherts knocks on and we have it back as we head into the final 10 minutes of this Final…

🐯 Tigers 12-6 Saints 😇

29'

Kyle Amor is on for Big Al who takes a breather in what is a roasting hot afternoon…

🐯 Tigers 12-6 Saints 😇

📸 Fages celebrates the opening try of the game…

26'

Goal

Gareth O’Brien for Castleford Tigers

O’Brien adds the two.

🐯 Tigers 12-6 Saints 😇

26'

Try

Jake Trueman for Castleford Tigers

Cas take the lead as Evalds kick is met by Trueman who scores.

🐯 Tigers 10-6 Saints 😇

24'

Cas on the attack down our right side, but Shenton is held up short when going for the line on the last.

🐯 Tigers 6-6 Saints 😇

21'

Knowles forces a Cas knock on and we have a set in their half to bounce straight back, but Lomax loses the ball and now the Tigers have it again.

🐯 Tigers 6-6 Saints 😇

18'

Goal

Gareth O’Brien for Castleford Tigers

O’Brien adds the two and it’s all square.

🐯 Tigers 6-6 Saints 😇

17'

Try

Niall Evalds for Castleford Tigers

Cas score with their first real sight at the Saints line as Mata’utia breaks through and kicks on for Evalds who picks up to score.

🐯 Tigers 4-6 Saints 😇

16'

But this time Fages’ pass to Lomax is a poor one and one our no.6 can’t retrieve. Cas have it back before we are penalised for a ball steal…

🐯 Tigers 0-6 Saints 😇

14'

Naiqama with a big hit forces a knock on and we have a set of six in the Tigers half! Come on, lads!

🐯 Tigers 0-6 Saints 😇

11'

Goal

Lachlan Coote for Saints

Coooooote adds the two from right in front and we lead early in this Challenge Cup Final!

🐯 Tigers 0-6 Saints 😇

11'

Try

Theo Fages for Saints

THEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Lomax’s grubber on the last rebounds off the left post and our little Frenchman is there to scoop up and get the ball down!!! GET IN!

🐯 Tigers 0-4 Saints 😇

Cas defend it well before their kick is too long. We come forward again and trap the Tigers in their own goal. Good early pressure from the Saints!

🐯 Tigers 0-0 Saints 😇

The ball comes back off a Castleford player and we have another set of six on the Cas line! COYS!

🐯 Tigers 0-0 Saints 😇

Cas are penalised for offside, Coooote kicks for touch and it’s the first real opportunity of this Challenge Cup Final!

🐯 Tigers 0-0 Saints 😇

Both sides have been solid in the opening few minutes, exchanging sets, to the roar of the Wembley crowd!

🐯 Tigers 0-0 Saints 😇