Reserves fall short against Saints

• Match Report as Wigan Warriors Reserves fall short in a thrilling tie against St.Helens Reserves.
• Warriors crossed for tries through Jacob Douglas (2), Austin Daniel and Lukas Mason.
• FT | Wigan Warriors Reserves 24-25 St.Helens Reserves.

Match Report as Wigan Warriors Reserves fell to a drop-goal defeat against St.Helens Reserves at Robin park Arena on Saturday afternoon.

St.Helens had the earliest opportunity as a hoisted ball from Mbye troubled the Wigan backline and found Ben Davies, though he was stopped short on the last for the turnover.

After a period of set for set plays the Warriors defended well once again as they stopped James Bell on the goal line for another turnover of possession but the visitors did make the most of their next attacking set as Moses Mbye crossed for the opening score on the left side after charging down a kick. From the tee, George Whitby made it 6-0 to St.Helens.

Wigan looked for a response a few minutes later and went close as a great ball from Yeomans saw Nathan Lowe bursting onto the ball, but the Saints defence were equal to it and denied the centre.

Jacob Douglas opened Wigan’s account in the 24th minute with a diving finish on the right wing. Good defence from the Warriors saw them drive St.Helens into touch on half way to get the ball back and good attacking play allowed Yeomans and Lowe to link up to send Douglas racing onto a ball to produce the acrobatic finish. From the touchline, Lowe converted to level the scores.

St.Helens hit back through Jake Davies shortly afterwards, after some good offloads allowed the visitors some space to crash over. Whitby added the two to give Saints the six-point advantage once more.

The Warriors hit back immediately from the restart as they were awarded a penalty before the play shifted well from left to right to see Austin Daniel in at the corner. An eight point try was awarded for a late hit from Sambou, who was sent to the sin bin, as with the conversion from out wide off target, but the subsequent penalty kick going between the posts to level the scores.

The Warriors flew in for a third shortly afterwards as Taylor Kerr broke the line on half way and with Lukas Mason in support he sent the second rower running through to score under the sticks. Lowe added the extras and Wigan had the lead for the first time in the match at 18-12.

St.Helens hit back again just minutes later as a penalty for a high shot allowed them into Wigan territory, good hands left allowed Ben Davies to crash onto a ball and evade the defence to add the four points, before Whitby converted to level the tie once again. A tackle shortly after the restart saw George Hirst sent to the sin bin as Sambou was reintroduced for the visitors.

St.Helens got themselves back in front with 10 minutes to go as George Whitby went in close to the sticks after the visitors were awarded a fresh set from close range. He converted his own score to make it 24-18 going into the closing stages. Whitby then saw himself in good field position and slotted a drop goal to extended the advantage to 7-points with just minutes remaining.

Jacob Douglas got Wigan a late lifeline, following up great footwork from Noah Hodkinson to race through the middle of the pitch and score under the sticks, with Lowe converting to make it 24-25. With seconds left on the clock Wigan had an opportunity to snatch the game but a kick through towards the uprights was batted dead by St.Helens before Ratchford could collect to see out the game.

Gallery:

Wigan Warriors: Noah Hodkinson, Jacob Douglas, Nathan Lowe, Austin Daniel, Josh Cartwright, Tom Ratchford, Finlay Yeomans, Harvey Makin, Kalum Rathbone, Kian McDermott, George O’Loughlin, Lukas Mason, Taylor Kerr.

Interchange: Jack Purtill, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Dylan Kelly-Duffy, George Hirst.

18th Player: Leo Wadsworth.

Tries: Douglas (24′, 77′), Daniel (42′), Mason (45′),

Goals: Lowe 4/5

Sin Bin: Hirst (52′)

St.Helens: Reilly Cosgrove, Elliot Jamieson, Jonny Vaughan, Ben Davies, Dayon Sambou, Moses Mbye, George Whitby, Alfie Sinclair, Jake Burns, Noah Stephens, Harvey Braddish, Jake Davies, James Bell.

Interchange: Matthew Penketh, Sam Oakes, Cole Marsh, Matthew Evans.

18th Player: Oliver Garmston.

Tries: Mbye (15′), J.Davies (28′), B.Davies (52′), Whitby (70′)

Goals: Whitby 4/4

Drop Goal: Whitby (74′)

Sin Bin: Sambou (42′)

Referee: Carl Hughes.