Scholars start season with derby win

[josie andrews]

* Match Report as Wigan Warriors Scholars win against St Helens Scholars.

* Despite trailing at the interval, the Warriors scored five second half tries to take home the two points.

* FT | St.Helens Scholars 16-34 Wigan Warriors Scholars.

WIGAN WARRIORS SCHOLARS CAME FROM BEHIND TO DEFEAT ST.HELENS SCHOLARS 34-16 IN ROUND 1 OF THE SCHOLARSHIP LEAGUE AWAY FROM HOME.

Despite trailing 16-8 at the break, the Warriors scored five unanswered second half tries to claim the two points in the opening round of the Scholarship season at Blackbrook RLFC, with Jacob Davies the star of the show with four tries on the right wing.

Report

St.Helens had the best of the opening exchanges and two early sets resulted in Wigan turning the ball over deep in their own territory but it was Wigan who struck first after 7 minutes as a fired out pass to the right wing allowed Jacob Davies to open the scoring. Matty Halton was just off target from the touchline as Wigan led 4-0.

St.Helens responded in the 14th minute, a high tackle allowing them further into Wigan’s half before a string of passes found Kibula in space on the left edge to dive over. Stott added the touchline conversion to put Saints ahead at 6-4.

With St.Helens threatening with a teasing kick over the top, Wigan were awarded a scrum for a knock on and they took advantage, working their way upfield before a quick thinking dive over the line from Tom Farrimond to put Wigan back in front at 8-6.

St.Helens scored two further tries as a long-range break from Finley Haigh paired with an effort from Jake Critchley off a loose ball right on the hooter gave the hosts the 16-8 advantage at the interval.

Wigan snatched one back 4 minutes into the second half as Alfie Silcock danced through the defensive line for a great try, which was converted by Halton to make it 16-14 to St.Helens.

Wigan added a fourth try on 51 minutes as Jacob Davies went in again on the right wing, with the touchline conversion off target it was Wigan who had the narrow 18-16 lead going into the final half hour.

The Warriors went further in front on the hour as Jacob Davies, sealing his hat-trick, received the ball out wide after an array of good passes from Wigan. The touchline conversion was on target this time and Wigan had the 24-16 advantage.

Jacob Davies added his fourth of the evening going into the final five minutes of play before Finn Davies rounded off the evening with a fantastic step inside to evade the St.Helens defence, with a big dive close to the sticks. The final effort of the night was converted to confirm a huge turnaround and a 34-16 derby day victory to open the season for the Scholars.

G: Finley Haigh, Cavell Kibula, Mason Stott, Jack Hill, Jake Critchley, Riley Heath, Ethan Woodward, Oliver Corless, James Patterson, Toby Bottell, Tyler Mills, Charlie Jeffery-Stott, Matthew Sinclair.

Interchange: Liam Nixon, Leon Davies, Robbie Simpson, Zachary Dennett, Spencer Lowe, Kian Fahey, Lennon Robson.

Tries: Kibula (14′), Haigh (31′), Critchley (40′).

Goals: Stott (2/3).

Wigan Warriors: Jacob Woods, Jacob Davies, Jack Myers, Isaac Makhaza, Harrison Oakes, Tom Farrimond, Henry Briscoe, Lucas Fetherston, Clayton Mayberry, Victor Omodele, Cody Lyons-Ashworth, Will Dootson, Matty Halton.

Interchange: Ben Farrimond, Callum Holmes, Toby Calderbank-Mannix, Alfie Silcock, Finn Davies.

Tries: J.Davies (7′, 51′, 59′, 74′), T.Farrimond (20′), Silcock (44′), F.Davies (77′)

Goals: Halton (2/5), Woods (1/1), Mayberry (0/1)

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2025/03/ ... derby-win/

[Charriots Offiah]

Good lads, it is always nice to put one over the Saints.