Academy beat Bulls

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josie andrews
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Academy beat Bulls

Post by josie andrews »

Match Report as Wigan Warriors Academy came from behind to win against Bradford Bulls Academy.

Trailing at the break, Wigan scored four second half efforts to steal the win from the Bulls.

FT | Wigan Warriors 28-22 Bradford Bulls.

Wigan Warriors Academy sealed a place in the Academy Group 2 Grand Final with a 28-22 win over Bradford Bulls Academy at Wigan St Judes on Tuesday evening.

Report

The Warriors started brightest in attack with the best chances to open the scoring falling to Reagan Sumner and Harvey Wilson who were both denied with the try line in sight by superb Bulls’ defence. The visitor’s defence was finally breached on 24 minutes as Tom Ratchford’s kick through found Finley Beardsworth who touched down for a try which Ratchford improved for 6-0.

The Bulls battled back with a try from Jack Toulson as he connected to Ethan Newboult’s kick and touched down on 28 minutes with Flanagan converting for 6-6. Flanagan completed the turnaround with a superb solo try just three minutes later via Harry Walker’s offload and kicked for a 12-6 lead.

Bradford extended the lead to 16-6 with 34 minutes played as Sam Ackroyd’s high kick saw a fumble on the wing, this allowed Joe Kellett to collect the ball and supply George Hough for a try which Flanagan was unable to convert from the tight angle but that ensured a 10-point advantage into the interval.

Wigan cut the gap within two minutes of the restart as Wilson dashed through the Bulls’ defence before crossing for a try which Ratchford converted with ease for 16-12. An almost carbon copy effort from Max Wood followed as he raced through the Bulls line to cross, Ratchford converting from in front of the sticks to open up an 18-16 lead.

Bradford replied instantly, a handling error from the restart by Wigan resulted in a clever passing play and try for Flanagan after Ackroyd’s pass, the Bull’s full-back converted to restore their lead at 22-18. The lead could have widened on 53 minutes with Hough in space on the wing but he was forced into touch by strong Wigan defence.

The reward for the defence came on 56 minutes, Lewis Pinder and Reece Bushell combining to find Harry Smithers who crossed for a try on the far wing which Ratchford was unable to convert, levelling the scores at 22-22. Wigan did regain the lead on the hour mark with Bradford’s short goal-line drop out capitalised on by an effort under huge pressure by Maddox Jeffrey, Ratchford stepped up and curled the ball through the posts for a 28-22 advantage.

Tempers flared as the game entered the final ten minutes with a number of scuffles between the two sides, the referee reduced both teams to 12 with the sin-binnings of Hobson for Wigan and Flanagan for Bradford but the aggression continued across the final sets.

Bradford came achingly close to a final say on the scoreline as a rapid passing play saw Hough knock-on with the try line in clear sight but the referee blew the final whistle as the Warriors sealed an away trip to face Hull KR in a fortnight.


Wigan Warriors Academy: Nathan Lowe, Reagan Sumner, Maddox Jeffrey, Zach Eckersley, Harry Smithers, Tom Ratchford, Reece Bushell, Ryan Brown, Lewis Pinder, Ellis Hobson, Reece Stanton, Finley Beardsworth, Harvey Wilson.

Interchange: Niall Povall, Max Wood, Lukas Mason, Trent Kelly-Duffy.

Tries: Beardsworth (24′), Wilson (42′), Wood (45′), Smithers (57′), Jeffery (61′)

Goals: Ratchford 4/5

Sin Bin: Hobson (68′)

Bradford Bulls Academy: George Flanagan, George Hough, Harry Walker, Todd Horner, Charlie Barrett, Ethan Newboult, Samuel Ackroyd, Jack Toulson, Harry Milnes, Bailey Arnold, Harry Gray, Joseph Kellett, Lachlan Holmes.

Interchange: Kiernan Tierney, Jamie Gill, Xanda Rycroft, Jack Briggs.

Tries: Toulson (28′), Flanagan (31′, 48′), Hough (34′)

Goals: Flanagan 3/4

Sin Bin: Flanagan (68′)


https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2022/09/ ... eat-bulls/
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
moto748
Posts: 4583
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2014 5:30 pm

Re: Academy beat Bulls

Post by moto748 »

Just watched the highlights. That was some try from the 13 Wilson. And a fantastic effort from the centre to get that last one down. I thought the Bulls' full-back looked a class act. Well, apart from the yellow card...
widdenoldboy
Posts: 1781
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2010 10:25 pm

Re: Academy beat Bulls

Post by widdenoldboy »

We should defo look at the Bradford FB, he was excellent v Academy during the season.

I see we play Hull KR away on Thursday - is that the semi final?

Thursday 22/09/2022
19:30
Hull KR
v
Wigan Warriors
Craven Park

https://wiganwarriors.com/fixtures/under-19s
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