Derby defeat for Academy

  • Match report as Wigan Warriors Academy lose to St Helens Academy
  • Wigan raced to an 18-0 lead before falling behind at Robin Park Arena.
  • FT | Wigan Warriors 22-36 St Helens.

A dominant Wigan opening saw them pay the penalty as they lost 36-22 to fierce rivals St Helens on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Robin Park Arena. 

Report

The Warriors made a superb start with Tom Ratchford dancing through the Saints defence to touch down for the opening score inside five minutes with Zach Eckersley converting for 6-0.

The lead became 12-0 within a few minutes as Ellis Hobson collected a short pass to cross for a try which Eckersley converted. Wigan looked to be in complete control as Finley Beardsworth broke through the Saints line and raced clear to score and with Eckersley converting from under the sticks; the lead was a comfortable 18-0.

Saints responded with a powerful attack on the left wing that saw Keane Gilford forced into a knock-on near the line by strong Wigan defence on the half hour. The next attack saw Saints finally cross as Will Roberts combined with Ben Lane to pick out Sam Haynes on the right wing for a try, Roberts was unable to convert from the touchline at 18-4. 

Wigan barely had time to reflect as Saints cut the gap further with two tries in three minutes, McKenzie Buckley slicing through the defence to cross before Dayon Sambou’s last-gasp kick saw Gilford touch down and with Roberts converting only the latter for 18-14, the lead had narrowed to a single score into the interval. 

The momentum was with Saints after the restart as they took ust two minutes to draw level, Ciaran Nolan finishing off a set by diving over from close range and Roberts’ conversion gave them the lead for the first time at 20-18.

Wigan went further behind as the Saints spree saw Alfie Pyke dash over before Johnathon Vaughan picked out Haynes for his second score of the afternoon on the wing, Roberts was unable to improve either effort with the lead now 28-20 after 51 minutes.

Saints’ streak finally came to an end on the hour mark as Reagan Sumner looked to be finishing off a pacy attacking set but instead offloaded to Reece Stanton who eased through the Saints line to score for 28-22. 

The try proved to be the only joy in the second half for Wigan as St Helens wrapped up the win with a Roberts penalty goal on 70 minutes before a stellar dash from Noah Stephens saw him cross in the final minute, Roberts converted the try to confirm the 36-22 victory. 

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors: Reagan Sumner, Harry Smithers, Harvey Wilson, Zach Eckersley, Jacob Douglas, Tom Ratchford, Billy Myers, Harvie Hill, Reece Bushell, Ellis Hobson, Junior Nsemba, Finley Beardsworth, Joe Baldwin.

Interchange: Lewis Pinder, Max Wood, Ryan Brown, Reece Stanton.

Tries: Ratchford (5′), Hobson (10′), Beardsworth (15′), Stanton (60′)

Goals: Eckersley 3/4

St Helens: Ben Lane, Sam Haynes, Jonathon Vaughan, Dayon Sambou, Keane Gilford, Ellis Archer, Will Roberts, Goerge Delaney, Eliot Peposhi, Kalan Devine, McKenzie Buckley, Alfie Pyke, Niall Dean.

Interchange: Alfie Sinclair, Ciaran Nolan, Noah Stephens, Nathan Bannerman. 

Tries: Haynes (32′, 51′), Buckley (37′), Gilford (40′), Nolan (42′), Pyke (47′), Stephens (80′).

Goals: Roberts 4/8

By Simon Driscoll.

Sunday 17 July 2022