St. Helens  22
Leigh Leopards  12
St. Helens  22
Leigh Leopards  12
DATE
COMPETITION
VENUEATTENDANCE(HT)
8th Sep 2023
Super League
HOME
13428
HT:6-6

4 - Ben Davies
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 23

5 - Jonathan Bennison
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 20

WINNING HONOURS
2022 SLGF

7 - Lewis Dodd
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 21

WINNING HONOURS
2021 SLGF 2023 WCC

11 - Sione Matautia
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 27

WINNING HONOURS
2021 SLGF 2022 SLGF 2023 WCC

12 - Joe Batchelor
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 28

TRIES
1
WINNING HONOURS
2021 RLCCF 2021 SLGF 2022 SLGF

13 - James Bell
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 29

WINNING HONOURS
2023 WCC

15 - Sam Royle
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 23

16 - George Delaney
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 19

17 - Moses Mbye
AGE AT TIME OF MATCH 30


Age in brackets is at time of match - Total average age for this team is 0 - ** non-playing sub


COACH : Paul Wellens


(2022-10-05 : 2023-12-31 )


MATCH VIDEO

MATCH REPORT


MATCH REPORT : Despite Saints dominating the early stages, it was the visitors who went ahead. The ball went through the hands quick from right to left and Gareth O’Brien put Oliver Gildart over in the far corner. Ben Reynolds converted, 0-6 the visitors led. Saints responded in style. Mark Percival’s pass set Tommy Makinson away down the wing, he found the supporting Jonny Lomax on his inside who found Joe Batchelor, he then found Makinson again alone on the wing, to stroll over for our first score of the game. Percival levelled the scores, 6-6. The hosts thought they had got the ball back in the Leigh ten after Matty Lees pushed O’Brien into touch after collecting a kick, but the referee awarded a penalty to Leigh as he ruled the tackle had already been completed.

Another chance soon followed. Lomax put a great kick in which bounced into the Leigh in-goal area, but the visitors won the race to the loose ball and got trapped in-goal. The following set resulted in another Lomax grubber into the Leigh in-goal, but O’Brien pushed the ball out before George Delaney could get to it. The Leopards were forced to dropout again. Despite the Red V dominating most of the opening 40 minutes, the sides went into half-time level at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Leigh started the second half much better. An attack down their right edge saw Zak Hardaker throw a dummy before heading towards the line, but he was pushed into touch by a scrambling Saints defence as he attempted to get the ball down. Saints thought they had re-taken the lead soon the following set. Lewis Dodd’s high kick was fumbled by O’Brien under pressure, James Roby got the ball and headed for the line before offloading right to Makinson on the wing, he then dove through a tackle to ground the ball. The video referee agreed with the on-field decision of try, Makinson had his second try of the evening. Percival converted, 12-6. Shortly after the try, it was announced Delaney had failed his HIA, and would not be returning to the game. It will also rule him out of next Friday’s trip to Warrington. Third third Red V try soon followed. A move from right to left ended with Dodd finding Lomax, who threw a dummy below diving over the line unopposed. Percival missed the conversion, 16-6 we led. The deficit was then reduced. Edwin Ipape broke through the middle before being grabbed back, he was able to offload to Rob Mulhern who went over under the posts. Reynolds converted from in front of the sticks, 16-12. Saints had a chance to increase the lead just after the restart. Leigh moved the ball right and Hardaker knocked on deep inside his own half. Saints switched right and Welsby tried to find Percival, but the ball was juggled forward and Leigh survived. With just under ten minutes to go, the video referee was called into action again. Ben Davies cut inside and kicked ahead for himself, but was taken out in the process. Despite that, they ruled 20 metre restart for the Leopards, as the ball went out following Davies’ kick.

With six minutes to go, the video referee was once again called into action. Saints went left but the ball went to ground and Tom Briscoe picked it up before racing the other way to score in the corner. However, the decision went in Saints’ favour, as the Leopards had dropped the ball earlier on in the move. Saints then went close again. Dodd’s high kick was claimed by Welsby, who span towards the line but was held up just short. With three minutes to go, another trip upstairs. James Bell drove from the line and was able to offload to ball to Batchelor who dove over from close range. The referee agreed with the on-field decision of try, Saints had a two-score lead as we entered the final two minutes. Percival added an extra two points, 22-12. That was the final score of the game, as Saints made it seven wins in a row with a victory over the Leopards at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

THGanks to the Saints Media Centre for their excellent report.







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