Scholars fight back to defeat St Helens

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Scholars came from behind to defeat St Helens at Robin Park Arena.

• Tries from James Parr, Shea O’Connor and Joe Hollins sealed a hard-fought victory.

• FT | Wigan Warriors 16-10 St Helens.

Wigan Warriors came from behind to defeat St Helens 16-10 at Robin Park Arena in the opening game of the Scholars League.

Despite conceding twice inside half an hour, James Parr’s score just before the break saw the sides separated by six at the interval.

A dominant second half showing from the Warriors resulted in unanswered tries from Shea O’Connor and Joe Hollins sealing a hard-fought victory.

Report

Wigan started strongly off the back of consecutive penalties in the opening minutes, however, the visitors defended firmly to keep Hollins up after the hooker’s scoot towards the line.

The hosts continued to assert pressure to St Helens’ defensive line as O’Connor and Zak Bielecki each went close to finding a way over, however, the visitors survived the sets to keep the contest level.

Despite an alert piece of defensive work from Connor Oxbury to clear a threatening grubber, St Helens opened the scoring on 16 minutes when Ryan Davidson scooted over from close range before Alfie Maden added the extras.

St Helens increased their lead when Maden’s accurate kick over the top was collected on the wing by Noah Carter who dived over in the corner, however, the score remained 10-0 after an unsuccessful kick.

A firm Warriors hit on halfway forced St Helens into an error, and after initially playing the ball at speed out the scrum, Wigan worked possession wide to Parr who went over in the corner two minutes before the break. The touchline kick was unsuccessful which saw the sides separated by six points at the interval.

Wigan asserted their dominance from the restart and their efforts paid off when O’Connor reacted first to ground an inch-perfect kick in behind. Zak Bielecki added the extras to level the score on 53 minutes.

The Warriors almost went ahead on the hour when a fine move sent Parr over in the corner, however, the winger was denied his second of the night following a forward pass in the build up.

The hosts’ momentum forced an error out the scrum before a powerful carry from Hollins resulted in the hooker crashing over beneath the sticks. Bielecki slotted the kick to widen the score to 16-10 with 26 minutes remaining.

Stand-off George Marsden almost sealed the victory in the closing stages after a dart out the line, before the Warriors remained firm in defence to see out the win after St Helens went close twice off back-to-back penalties.

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors: Connor Oxbury, James Parr, Josh Tyrer, Zak Bielecki, James Gleeson, George Marsden, Evan Buckley, Shea O’Connor, Joe Hollins, Zak Brand, Bailey Jones, George Wood, Noah Forster.

Interchanges: Joe McGann, Jacob Logan, Seth Joyce, Lucas Fetherston, Matthew Halton, Will Dootson, Jack Myers.

Tries: Parr (38′), O’Connor (53′), Hollins (62′).

Goals: Bielecki (2/3).

St Helens: Jack Campbell, Ollie Roby, Jacob Taylor, Luke Brighouse, Noah Carter, tyler McGann, Alfie Maden, Leon Johnson, Ryan Davidson, Finley Beale, Oscar Knox, Christian Matagi.

Interchanges: Cooper Jones, Toby Bottell, Ewan Gilford, Charlie Jeffrey-Stott, Liam Nixon, Finley Haigh.

Tries: Davidson (16′), Carter (26′).

Goals: Maden (1/2).