Academy Grand Final Preview & RESULT

[josie andrews]

HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AHEAD OF WIGAN WARRIORS ACADEMY GRAND FINAL CLASH AGAINST ST HELENS AT THE TOTALLY WICKED STADIUM ON WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER (7:30PM K.O.)

Wigan Warriors Academy travel to face League Leaders’ St Helens in the Academy League Grand Final at The Totally Wicked Stadium this Wednesday 25 September (7:30pm K.O.) with the winners crowned Champions for 2024.

Squad News

Thomas Bridge
Josh Cartwright
Austin Daniel
Jaden Drachenberg
Jack Farrimond
Noah Hodgkinson
Dylan Kelly-Duffy
Trent Kelly-Duffy
Taylor Kerr
Nathan Lowe
Lukas Mason
Kian McDermott
Shea O’Connor
Michael Porter
JackPurtill
Kallum Rathbone
Reece Rowcroft
Harden Smith
Leo Wadsworth
Charlie Yeomans
Finlay Yeomans

Coach Quotes

Ahead of the Academy Grand Final, Head of Youth Shane Eccles said: “We are all looking forward to Wednesday’s final, this should be a great occasion between two strong Academy teams. The teams have met on two occasions this season with each team winning one game each.

“Our players have been working hard towards this final and you can see the excitement in them. We know St Helens have a strong Academy team and this should be a great spectacle of Academy Rugby League.”

He added: “I know it would mean a lot to the players if we had a big following of Wigan Supporters in the stands cheering them on. The coaching staff have done a great job alongside the hard work the players have put in through the season to reach the final, it is a great experience for the players to prepare for big games as their careers develop.”

Academy Head Coach, John Duffy, said: “We are really excited for the game tomorrow night. Both Clubs have exceptionally talented squads which has shown throughout the 2024 season – it makes for a great final.”

Match info

Wednesday’s Academy Grand Final will take place at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium, after Saints finished top of the pile.

Tickets

Tickets for Wednesday’s Final at The Totally Wicked Stadium can be purchased in advance right up until kick-off directly from St Helens online HERE. Tickets can also be purchased at the turnstiles of The Totally Wicked Stadium South Stand on the day, with Contactless payments ONLY.

Turnstile 1-9 in the South West section and Turnstiles 10-14 in the South East will be open for supporters from 6:30pm before the 7:30pm kick-off.

Pricing

Adults – £5
Concessions £3
U16s £2

How to Follow

Listen Live

Listen to free audio commentary of St Helens v Wigan Warriors from 7:20pm via our Mixlr page HERE. Alternatively, you can simply use the pop out player below:

Social Media

Wigan fans can follow every piece of the action via our social media channels and website.

X (Formerly Twitter) (@WiganWarriorsRL) – full match updates.
Instagram (@wiganwarriorsrl) – half time and full time updates.
Facebook (Wigan Warriors) – half time and full time updates.
Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) – post-match reaction including a match report.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/09/ ... l-preview/

[moto748]

Listening to Joe and Bilko, sounded quite a nerve-shredder in that last quarter!

[josie andrews]

Wigan Warriors Academy Grand Final Champions

St Helens 12 Wigan Warriors 15

Well done Young Guns

[josie andrews]

Cracking game but I’m bloody freezing even with a padded jacket & long pants on

[Charriots Offiah]

Cracking game but I’m bloody freezing even with a padded jacket & long pants on

Cold and wet, thank god for an Indian summer. It was a very good game and, in my view, the best team won. Was going to have a pint but going home for a cup of tea.

[josie andrews]

Cracking game but I’m bloody freezing even with a padded jacket & long pants on

Cold and wet, thank god for an Indian summer. It was a very good game and, in my view, the best team won. Was going to have a pint but going home for a cup of tea.

Aye me too we were up on the wheelchair platform can’t wait get home for a hot drink
Took a flask & hot chocolate & shared it with my friend again! Full of a cold since being at Saints on Sunday for the Women’s game

[Charriots Offiah]

Cracking game but I’m bloody freezing even with a padded jacket & long pants on

Cold and wet, thank god for an Indian summer. It was a very good game and, in my view, the best team won. Was going to have a pint but going home for a cup of tea.

Aye me too we were up on the wheelchair platform can’t wait get home for a hot drink
Took a flask & hot chocolate & shared it with my friend again! Full of a cold since being at Saints on Sunday for the Women’s game

Get well soon.

[josie andrews]

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 Converter 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, Leo Wadsworth, Kalum Rathbone, Shea O’Connor.

18th Player: Michael Porter.

Tries: Purtill (37′), Hodkinson (47’)

Goals: Farrimond 3/3

Drop Goal: Farrimond (38′)

Attendance: 1240

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/09/ ... and-final/

[josie andrews]

Cold and wet, thank god for an Indian summer. It was a very good game and, in my view, the best team won. Was going to have a pint but going home for a cup of tea.

Aye me too we were up on the wheelchair platform can’t wait get home for a hot drink
Took a flask & hot chocolate & shared it with my friend again! Full of a cold since being at Saints on Sunday for the Women’s game

Get well soon.

Thank you x

[moto748]

Well done to the brave attendees! 40 m drop-goal; that sounds quite a strike!