Warriors Reserves defeat St Helens

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Reserves fightback to defeat St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
• Warriors recovered from being 24-12 behind to claim the two points and remain unbeaten.
• FT | St Helens Reserves 24-26 Wigan Warriors Reserves.

Wigan Warriors Reserves fightback to claim a 26-24 derby victory over St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Report

Warriors started strongly in the sunshine, and after defending an early Saints attack, Wigan broke to the opposite end where Junior Nsemba was able to offload to Tom Mitchell for the opening try. Ryan Hampshire added the extras to make the score 6-0 after five minutes.

The Cherry and Whites continued their impressive start, as Saints struggled to find a way through the firm defensive line despite the best efforts of Daniel Moss from stand-off.

Wigan almost doubled their advantage mid-way through the half when Trent Kelly-Duffy picked up a bobbling ball to touch down. However, the officials ruled that the ball had been grounded out of play.

The hosts responded through Will Roberts who was in the right place at the right time to collect an offload and go in between the sticks, before he levelled the match from the tee after 22 minutes.

From the restart Warriors regained possession, and after a strong carry from Nsemba, Hampshire played the ball out wide to Mitchell who was able to squeeze the ball down for his second of the afternoon. Hampshire kicked Wigan into a 12-6 lead with a fantastic strike from the touchline.

Despite having to play the remainder of the first half with 12 due to Nsemba being shown a yellow card for a tackle without the ball, Warriors defended strongly to maintain their 12-6 lead at the break.

Warriors looked to have started the second half perfectly when Nathan Lowe acrobatically went over in the corner off the back a strong carry from Nsemba. However, no try was awarded after an incorrect grounding.

Two quick fire St Helens tries saw the game turn in the hosts’ favour. First Jon Bennison touched down after being set up by Daniel Hill, and minutes later Nathan Bannerman went over after an overlap on the left wing. Saints led 18-12 after 50 minutes following Roberts’ successful goals.

Despite Harvey Makin and Kavan Rothwell combining to keep Leunbou Bardyel Wells out, Saints added a fourth try after 55 minutes when George Delaney crashed over from close range. The hosts extended their advantage to 24-12 with an additional two points from the conversion.

A quick response was met from Warriors who went over though Nsemba before the hour, after St Helens were unable to deal with the power of the second rower. Warriors were unable to add the extras from the touchline.

Warriors reduced the points difference further when Ethan Fitzgerald dived over in the corner off the back of some swift passing along the line. The goal attempt was struck wide, as Saints led 24-20 after 64 minutes.

After a lengthy stoppage to play due to a St Helens injury, Warriors went over beneath the sticks courtesy of Rothwell who powered his way through from close range. Hampshire was successful in adding the extras as Wigan took a two point lead with less than 10 minutes to play.

St Helens almost found a winner in the final stages, however, Reagan Sumner was perfectly positioned to produce a fantastic, last-ditch tackle which forced the Saints attacker into touch.

Warriors stood firm in the closing minutes to claim a hard-fought derby victory which takes them level on points with St Helens in the table while maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.

Gallery:

St Helens: Jon Bennison, Alfie Whittle, Daniel Hill, Ben Davies, Keane Gilford, Daniel Moss, Will Roberts, Brett Bailey, Jake Burns, George Delaney, Matty Foster, Nathan Bannerman, Eliot Peposhi.

Interchange: Harvey Braddish, Sam Oakes, Alfie Sinclair, Leunbou Bardyel Wells.

18^th Man: Leon Cowen.

Tries: Roberts (22′), Bennison (45′), Bannerman (48′), Delaney (55′).

Goals: Roberts (4/4).

Sin Bin: (N/A)

Wigan Warriors: Reagan Sumner, Ethan Fitzgerald, Adam Jones, Nathan Lowe, Tom Mitchell, Ryan Hampshire, Charlie Yeomans, Harvey Makin, Tom Forber, Kavan Rothwell, Finley Beardsworth, Junior Nsemba, Harvey Wilson.

Interchange: Ellis Hobson, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Taylor Kerr, Max Wood.

18^th Man: Dylan Kelly-Duffy.

Tries: Mitchell (5′, 24′), Nsemba (58′), Fitzgerald (64′), Rothwell (70′)

Goals: Hampshire (3/5).

Sin Bin: Nsemba (31′).

Referee: Matty Lynn.

Photo Credit: Jess Hornby.