Academy defeated in Derby

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Academy fall to defeat against St Helens Academy on Friday night.
• The Warriors scored three tries in the defeat.
• FT | Wigan Warriors 18-32 St Helens.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors Academy fall to defeat against St Helens Academy on Friday evening.

The Warriors found themselves 20-0 down after a clinical first half from St Helens but a converted try from Leo Wadsworth on the stroke of half-time gave Wigan a way back in as the sides went in at 6-20 at the break. Both sides crossed for two tries apiece in the second half as the Warriors fell to defeat in the Derby.

Report

A physical battle saw both Academy sides go set-for-set in the opening ten minutes at Wigan Rugby Union, but it was St Helens who broke the deadlock on 12 minutes as Owen Dagnall sent Elliot Jamieson away down the left edge, the wingers inside pass though was stray as Wigan scrambled to defend but the ball went right for Matthew Penketh to score. George Whitby converted for the early 6-0 lead for St Helens.

Wigan went close in response as Charlie Yeomans was held up just short of the goal line but St Helens doubled their lead in the 19th minute as Louie Roberts burst through the centre of the defence before getting a pass outside to William Keeley to complete the move next to the uprights. Whitby converted again and it was 12-0 to Saints.

Again looking for a response, Harlen Smith went close on the half hour but the St Helens defence saw him into touch to deny Wigan. Matthew Penketh extended St Helens’ advantage in the 31st minute after a flowing attacking move from the visitors saw him muscle over after some good passing in the build-up. The conversion attempt from Whitby was off target this time as it stood 16-0.

St Helens added a fourth just minutes later as a penalty allowed the visitors to attack into Wigan’s half once more. Again a flowing move orchestrated by Louie Roberts saw the ball out to Matthew Penketh who scored his second try of the opening forty. The conversion from out wide was off target again as the away side held the 20-0 advantage.

The Warriors reduced the deficit on the stroke of half time as after many bites at the cherry, Leo Wadsworth crashed over to get Wigan on the scoreboard. Nathan Lowe slotted the extras from close range to see the teams in at the interval at 6-20.

Leo Wadsworth struck again at the start of the second half as Wigan got back within 8-points. Good pressure on the St Helens defensive line allowed Wigan to find a gap as Taylor Kerr sent Wadsworth crashing over. Nathan Lowe added the two and it was 12-20.

St Helens responded again on the hour as a kick to the corner was spilled by Wigan to allow a full set at the line and they took advantage as Alfie Tate shrugged off the defence to power over for Saints’ fifth try of the evening. The effort was converted by George Whitby to make it 12-26.

Wigan hit back once more in the 75th minute to set up a tense finish to the derby. This time Wigan ran the ball well upfield before a great fired out pass found Josh Cartwright on the left wing to dive over. Nathan Lowe was on target with the conversion from the touchline as it stood 18-26 going into the final five minutes.

St Helens had the last say of the game on the hooter as a short goal line drop out was spilled by Wigan to give St Helens a scrum 30m away. From the resulting set George Whitby burrowed over before converting his own try to confirm a 18-32 victory for St Helens.

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors: Noah Hodkinson, Harlen Smith, Austin Daniel, Nathan Lowe, Josh Cartwright, Finlay Yeomans, Charlie Yeomans, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Dylan Kelly-Duffy, Kian McDermott, George O’Loughlin, Lukas Mason, Taylor Kerr.

Interchange: Jack Purtill, Leo Wadsworth, Kalum Rathbone, Michael Porter.

18th Player: Jack Bibey.

Tries: Wadsworth (40′, 43′), Cartwright (75′)

Goals: Lowe 3/3

St Helens: Louie Roberts, Ellis Anderson, Matthew Penketh, Owen Dagnall, Elliot Jamieson, Kian McGann, George Whitby, Oliver Polec, Thomas Humphreys, Cole Marsh, William Keeley, Oliver Garmston, Jake Davies.

Interchange: Reece Robinson, Oliver Stankevitch, Alfie Tate, Joel Kilgannon.

18th Player: Alfie Shearer.

Tries: Penketh (12′, 31′), Keeley (19′), Anderson (35′), Tate (61′), Whitby (80′)

Goals: Whitby 4/6

Referee: James Vella