Castleford Tigers v Saints

Young Saints side beaten despite spirited effort

A young Saints side consisting of seven debutants, suffered only our second defeat of the Betfred Super League season on Friday evening after a 30-10 defeat to Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

🔴⚪ 𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎! 🔴⚪

Our young Saints to face @ctrlfc 🔒

Academy grads Jumah Sambou and Daniel Moss debut alongside new signing Danny Hill. Royle is named captain.

Lewis Baxter, Taylor Pemberton, George Delaney & McKenzie Buckley could all debut from the bench!#COYS

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 22, 2022

There were debuts for Jumah Sambou, Widnes signing, Danny Hill plus half back Daniel Moss whilst Lewis Baxter, Taylor Pemberton, George Delaney and McKenzie Buckley made their first Saints appearances from the bench.

But it was the worst possible start for Saints as Cas took a first minute lead. Jason Qareqare made a break down the left wing and hurdled some Saints challenges to score in the corner. The try was awarded following a video referee review. Gareth O’Brien missed the kick, 4-0 Saints trailed.

The hosts threatened again two minutes later, but Saints stood firm in defence and forced Derrell Olpherts into touch as he dove for the corner. Saints had a chance to hit-back as a high Ben Davies kick was dropped by James Clare in Castleford territory. Unfortunately for the young Red Vee side, Shay Martyn was pushed into touch as he dove for the corner so the score remained 4-0.

The Tigers then threatened again and had numbers down their left-hand side, but Saints’ great scrambling defence stopped Mahe Fonua before he could ground the ball on the last tackle. Another Cas chance came and went, as a massive hit from James Bell forced O’Brien to fumble the ball as the hosts camped on the Saints line.

Keep working, boys! 💪🏽 #COYS pic.twitter.com/iziFUvh22Y

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 22, 2022

It took until the 26th minute for Castleford to strengthen their lead. After being awarded a penalty on the Saints line they opted to run the ball, a couple of tackles in the ball was thrown from left to right and Olpherts finished in the corner. O’Brien missed the conversion, 8-0.

The Cas lead was increased shortly before the interval. A break down the right-hand side this time gave the hosts extra numbers and Jake Trueman was able to stroll over after collecting a pass from the wing. Paul McShane converted, 14-0.

Cas could have had one more try in the final minute of the first half as Qareqare tried a spectacular dive in the corner, but a massive (and we mean MASSIVE) hit from Ben Davies forced the winger into touch.

HT: 🐯 Tigers 14-0 Saints 🔴⚪

Our young Saints trail at the break after a spirited first half…#COYS

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 22, 2022

Castleford thought they had their fourth try at the start of the second half. More repeated pressure on the Saints line following a penalty saw Qareqare try to go over in the corner, however great scrambling defence from Sambou forced the winger into touch.

The fourth Castleford try did follow in the 49th minute. A move from left to right ended with Olpherts going over in the right corner again. McShane missed the kick, 18-0.

Saints did grab a hard-earned try in the 62nd minute. After continued pressure on the Cas line the ball was worked from left to right and on the last tackle Josh Simm got away a good offload to Jumah Sambou who finished Tommy Makinson esque in the corner! Shay Martyn missed the conversion, Saints trailed 18-4.

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐀𝐓 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐒! 💥

Jumah Sambou scores a try on his debut for St Helens. pic.twitter.com/DZYxpucwVd

— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) April 22, 2022

Saints continued their momentum by adding a second try two minutes later and the fans loved it. Saints forced an error off the back of a great Daniel Moss kick, a few tackles after the error the ball was worked to Bell who fought hard and swivelled to score to the left of the sticks. Martyn converted, 18-10.

𝐉𝐔𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒! 💥

Back-to-back tries for St Helens! Is a comeback on?! pic.twitter.com/0n1dIVP0vp

— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) April 22, 2022

But from the kick off, the hosts forced a Saints error and scrambling Saints defence was unable to stop a Liam Watts offload to Joe Westerman, who scored under the sticks. McShane converted, 24-10.

The hosts added a sixth try as we entered the final ten minutes. Fonua cut back inside from the left wing and was able to score to the left of the sticks. McShane converted, 30-10.

Saints could have had a third try in the final seconds as Bell threw a great cut-out pass to Martyn on the left wing, however the ball was knocked out of his hands as he dove for the line. That was to be the final play of the game, but it was a valiant effort and a night that will live long in the memory of our seven debutants.

FT: 🐯 Tigers 30-10 Saints 🔴⚪

A valiant second half effort, but it's defeat for our young Saints in Castleford.#COYS

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 22, 2022

Match Summary

Castleford Tigers Team: James Clare, Derrell Olpherts, Jake Mamo, Mahe Fonua, Jason Qareqare, Jake Trueman, Gareth O’Brien, Liam Watts, Paul McShane, George Griffin, Kenny Edwards, George Lawler, Joe Westerman.

Interchanges: Adam Milner, Nathan Massey, Daniel Smith, Brad Martin.

Tries: Jason Qareqare (1), Derrell Olpherts (26, 49), Jake Trueman (35), Liam Watts (66), Mahe Fonua (71)

Conversions: Gareth O’Brien (0 from 2), Paul McShane (3 from 4)

Saints Team: Jon Bennison, Jumah Sambou, Josh Simm, Daniel Hill, Shay Martyn, Ben Davies, Daniel Moss, Kyle Amor, Joey Lussick, Dan Norman, Sam Royle, James Bell, Jake Wingfield.

Interchanges: Lewis Baxter, Tyler Pemberton, George Delaney, McKenzie Buckley.

Tries: Jumah Sambou (61), James Bell (63)

Conversions: Shay Martyn (1 from 2)

HT: 14-0

FT: 30-10

Attendance: 7,649