Warriors Academy win Grand Final
- Match Report as Wigan Warriors beat St Helens in the Academy Grand Final at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
- Purtill and Hodkinson crossed for Wigan with Farrimond adding 7-points from the boot to see Wigan to Grand Final victory.
- FT | St Helens Academy 12-15 Wigan Warriors Academy.
Match Report as Wigan Warriors beat St Helens in the Academy Grand Final to be crowned 2024 Champions.
St Helens were looking to retain the title in a third consecutive Grand Final appearance but it was the Warriors who claimed the victory, winning their first Academy title since 2019.
Despite falling behind after 15 minutes, Wigan responded with a converted Jack Purtill try and a Jack Farrimond drop goal to lead 7-6 at the interval.
A converted try apiece after the restart saw the scores tensed at 12-13 but Jack Farrimond’s penalty goal edged Wigan to a 15-12 victory at The Totally Wicked Stadium.
Report
After an evenly contested first 10 minutes, the Warriors almost opened the scoring when Finlay Yeomans made strong ground through the middle before Noah Hodkinson was halted just short on the right edge.
The Warriors went close moments later when Nathan Lowe was wrapped up over the line after collecting Charlie Yeomans’ kick, however, the hosts opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Tom Humphreys broke through with George Whitby adding the extras.
F. Yeomans and Kalum Rathbone broke through the St Helens defence in back-to-back sets to take the attack deep into the opposition half, however, St Helens wrapped up the ball first before a forward pass denied any points the second time.
Wigan had the better of the final 10 of the opening half. First a Rathbone break finding Hodkinson – though the Warriors were denied the attacking opportunity due to a forward pass. A huge hit before a goal line drop out gave Wigan an opportunity however as they levelled the scoring on 37 minutes through Jack Purtill. Farrimond added the extras for 6-6.
Farrimond edged Wigan ahead on the stroke of half-time however with a drop goal nailed from 40m out to send the Warriors in at 7-6.
A good start to the second forty from John Duffy’s Warriors saw them extend their advantage on 47 minutes. Off the back of a penalty, the ball was shifted wide to Noah Hodkinson to force his way over. Farrimond converted again for 13-6.
Saints responded 10 minutes later as they were awarded a drop out. Collecting the ball they applied the pressure to see Garmston over from close range. Whitby added the two to get the hosts back within a point at 12-13.
Immediately afterwards, a penalty goal was missed by Whitby before Farrimond added a two-pointer of his own, another from long range as Wigan were 15-12 ahead.
Farrimond was the man involved once more as he looked to have finished off a fantastic intercept move, racing away before the referee called the effort back for a foot in touch. St Helens survived the scare as they remained within 3-points.
Both teams searched for an additional score in the dying minutes but the Cherry & Whites saw out the 15-12 victory despite a late surge from Owen Dagnall who was denied to be crowned Champions at The Totally Wicked Stadium!
St Helens Academy: Louie Roberts, Ellis Anderson, Matthew Penketh, Owen Dagnall, Elliot Jamieson, Harry Robertson, George Whitby, Daniel Frost, Tom Humphreys, Oliver Polec, Jake Davies, William Keeley, Cole Marsh.
Interchanges: Oliver Garmston, Alfie Tate, Matthew Evans, Oliver Stankevitch.
18th Player: Kian McGann.
Tries: Humphreys (15′), Garmston (57’)
Goals: Whitby 2/3
Wigan Warriors Academy: Noah Hodkinson, Austin Daniel, Finlay Yeomans, Nathan Lowe, Josh Cartwright, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Farrimond, Dylan Kelly-Duffy, Jack Purtill, Kian McDermott, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Lukas Mason, Taylor Kerr.
Interchanges: Harlen Smith (unused), Leo Wadsworth, Kalum Rathbone, Shea O’Connor (unused).
18th Player: Michael Porter.
Tries: Purtill (37′), Hodkinson (47’)
Goals: Farrimond 3/3
Drop Goal: Farrimond (38′)
Attendance: 1240
