Academy defeat St Helens

[josie andrews]

Match Report as Wigan Warriors Academy defeat St Helens Academy at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

The Warriors scored five tries to extend the winning run to eight matches while handing Saints a first defeat this season.

FT | St Helens Academy 16-28 Wigan Warriors Academy.

Wigan Warriors Academy’s continued their winning run with a fantastic 28-16 derby win over St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

After Nathan Lowe’s first half try, the Warriors scored through Noah Hodkinson, Jack Farrimond (x2) and Maddox Jeffery to extend the winning run to eight matches.

An excellent performance from the Warriors handed the hosts their first defeat of the season, as the Cherry and Whites moved level on points with Saints at the top of the table.

Report

Both sides started energetically at the Totally Wicked Stadium, and after an alert piece of defending from Hodkinson to collect a Saints grubber kick, the Warriors almost went ahead but were denied on the final tackle by the hosts.

St Helens took the lead after 14 minutes when Louie Roberts dived over with George Whitby adding the extras from the tee, and the Warriors were twice forced into holding Saints up in quick succession to keep the score at 6-0.

Following a reckless tackle from Harvey Braddish, which saw the Saints second rower sent to the bin, the Warriors were also reduced to 12 after Dylan Kelly-Duffy was shown a yellow card for his reaction.

Off the back of the penalty, a kick out wide was collected excellently by George O’Loughlin who neatly offloaded to Lowe to score. Farrimond made no mistake in adding the extras to level the score six minutes before the interval.

The Warriors continued to assert pressure on the Saints defence in the final minutes of the first half, as the hosts scrambled to keep the score at 6-6 at the break.

Wigan were reduced to 12 players once more when Lowe was shown a yellow card immediately after the restart, and Saints capitalised on the extra man when Ben Will went over in the corner. The hosts were unable to add the extra points as their lead stood at 10-6 after 45 minutes.

After forcing a six-again in dangerous territory, the Warriors struck back instantly when Farrimond went over before he successfully kicked Wigan into a 12-10 lead.

The Warriors increased their lead once more before the hour when, after keeping Saints pinned inside their own 20, Hodkinson finished off a fine attack to go over in the corner. Farrimond continued his perfect record from the tee to widen the score to 18-10.

Despite the hosts momentarily reducing the points difference to two when Noah Stephens powered over from close range, the Warriors crossed for a fourth try when Farrimond crashed over for his second of the afternoon. The extras were added once more, to give Wigan a 24-16 lead after 71 minutes.

From the restart the Warriors regained possession after Saints were penalised for offside, and on the final tackle a kick towards the corner was collected by Jeffery who went over to score. Despite the kick being missed, Wigan held on in the final five minutes to record a 28-16 victory.

St Helens Academy: Louie Roberts, Ben Will, Jonathon Vaughan, Dayon Sambou, Ellis Anderson, Harry Robertson, George Whitby, Noah Stephens, Ciaran Nolan, Alfie Sinclair, Harvey Braddish, Jake Davies, Leon Cowen.

Interchange: Deacon Swarbrick, Daniel Frost, Bailey Pemberton, Cole Marsh.

18th Player: Morgan Barraclough-Watson.

Tries: Roberts (14′), Will (45′), Stephens (66′).

Goals: Whitby (1/1), Vaughan (1/2).

Sin Bin: Braddish (31′).

Wigan Warriors Academy: Noah Hodkinson, Maddox Jeffery, Josh Cartwright, Nathan Lowe, George O’Loughlin, Charlie Yeomans, Jack Farrimond, Trent Kelly-Duffy, Tom Ratchford, Kian McDermott, Finlay Irwin, Lukas Mason, Taylor Kerr.

Interchange: Reece Rowcroft, Ryan Brown, Joe Baldwin, Dylan Kelly-Duffy.

18th Player: Harry Higham.

Tries: Lowe (34′), Farrimond (50′, 71′), Hodkinson (57′), Jeffery (75′).

Goals: Farrimond (4/5).

Sin Bin: D. Kelly-Duffy (31′), Lowe (42′).

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2023/08/ ... st-helens/

[josie andrews]

What a cracking game from our Young Guns today away at Saints.

Excellent display from all the players.

Well Done glad I went, just hope the first team play with the same passion tonight

[No straw damn us]

Jack Farrimond is some player, if he keeps progressing at this rate he could get a couple of games next season.

[josie andrews]

Jack Farrimond is some player, if he keeps progressing at this rate he could get a couple of games next season.

Definitely is Brian, did you go? I hope he does get a chance next season, has all the qualities of a halfback, can kick goals & is belting lad too

[Charriots Offiah]

Happy days

[doc]

Now uploaded to Wigan TV.

[Charriots Offiah]

Now uploaded to Wigan TV.