Our Academy were back in action, this time against the Bradford Bulls, as we looked to record another win, as the sun shined down at Blackbrook...
The Saints got off to a fast start, with their first set with the ball resulting in a try. The fourth tackle saw the Saints attack left with shape, Reilly Cosgrove found himself with the ball down the wing before kicking back inside. The ball bounced away in front of the Bradford Number 1, which Harry Robertson pounced on, leaning back collecting the ball before shrugging off three defenders before placing the ball down right of the posts. Whitby converted, 6-0 the Saints led with 4 minutes gone.
A second for the Saints came straight after. A strong carry from Daniel Frost got the Saints underway and up to the 30-metre mark, before a penalty got them further up the field. Frost then got the Saints in the middle of the field 10 metres from the Bulls line. Playing left out the back to Louie Roberts, he delivered a brilliant cut-out ball to Cosgrove who went over to score in the corner. Whitby nailed the sideline conversion, 12-0.
The Saints were in again, making it 3 tries in 10 minutes. A high tackle on Louie Roberts as he carried out of his own half presented the Saints with more good ball. Again, attacking left, Ellis Anderson ran a great line, running on to the ball breaking the line, then beating the fullback to score under the posts. Whitby converted from in front, 18-0.
Straight from kick-off, the Saints would go in again. Harry Robertson burst the line after catching the ball, before tying up the fullback and finding Tom Humphreys in support who ran away to score under the posts and get what would be a well-deserved try! Again converted from Whitby, 24-0 the Saints lead after just 12 minutes.
The Bulls would get themselves on the board as we hit the 20th minute. Riley Sunderland ran a strong line at the Saints defence, breaking through to ground the ball near the left corner. Samuel Ackroyd converted to get Bradford on the board, 24-6.
The Saints would reply soon after, regaining their 24-point lead. A penalty for a flop got the Saints up field again. After getting in the Bradford Bulls half, the Saints played right, hitting Robertson out the back, who accelerated through the line to score his second of the game. Whitby converted from the awkward angle, 30-6.
With 30 minutes gone on the clock, Saints again went down their right edge to attack the Bulls. With Roberts chiming in out the back, he fired a cut out ball to winger Joel Kilgannon who went over to score on his debut! Whitby hit the post with his attempt from the sideline, 34-6.
Just before the break, Robertson grabbed his hat-trick try. Attacking down the right side once more, Whitby found Robertson who attacked the left edge of Bradford, running with speed at the line he charged his way through to score in the corner, and get his third of the game. Whitby just missed with his kick, 38-6 the score at the break.
The start of the second half saw the Saints continue were they left off. 7 minutes into the second half, Whitby collected the loose ball in his own 20 metre area, and quickly found Anderson who raced away to score under the posts. Whitby converted, 44-6
A moment of brilliance brought up our next score, with Whitby turning from provider to scorer. On the 30 metre mark, Whitby ran at the line, and after noticing the Bradford Fullback was in the line, he chipped over the top before regaining the ball to score under the posts. He converted his own score to bring up the 50 mark, 50-6.
After a tough period for the Saints, as they defended their line with 12 men, following a sin-binning for Kian McGann, their efforts were repaid with Cosgrove crossing for his second. The Saints got themselves up the field, and played left with Roberts again playing out the back, he then found Cosgrove who sprinted from 10 metres out to score in the corner. Whitby missed with his final conversion attempt before coming off, 54-6.
As we approached the final 10 minutes, Owen Dagnall got himself on the score sheet. Dagnall found himself on the left wing for the final ten minutes, and attacked a kick to corner, claiming the ball in the air and diving in the corner to score a great try despite the efforts from Bradford to get him in touch. McGann took over the kicking duties, but just missed with his first kick attempt. 58-6
It would be Dagnall who would claim his second, and the final try of the game. The Saints were awarded a penalty, and after a good kick to touch tapped the ball 25 metres away from the line. Anderson tapped the ball, dummying right before playing back left to Dagnall who beat his opposite winger and full-back to score and finish off a smart move from the Saints. McGann convert with his second attempt, wrapping up another win for the Academy, 64-6 the final score in the sun at Blackbrook!
Next up for the Academy is a trip over to Hull KR on the 6th of July, in a curtain-raiser to the Robins clash with the Catalan Dragons!
Saints Team: 1. Louie Roberts, 24. Joel Kilgannon, 3. Owen Dagnall, 2. Ellis Anderson, 5, Reilly Cosgrove, 6. Harry Robertson, 7. George Whitby, 10. Alfie Tate, 23. Tom Humphreys, 20. Daniel Frost, 11. Billy Keeley, 12. Jake Davies, 21. Cole Marsh.
Bench: 14. Kian McGann, 15. Oliver Garmston, 16. Oliver Stankevitch, 25. Morgan Barraclough-Watson.
18th Player: 19. Oliver Polec.
Tries: Harry Robertson (3), Owen Dagnall (2), Reilly Cosgrove (2), Ellis Anderson (2), Joel Kilgannon, Tom Humphreys.
Goals: George Whitby (6 from 9), Kian McGann (1 from 2)
Bradford Bulls Team: 1. Connor Sayner, 2. Calum Burn, 3. Patrick O’Reilly-Milner, 4. Macall Baker, 5. Harvey Duckworth, 6. Samuel Ackroyd, 7. George Raynor, 8. Alfie Leak, 9. Henry Welsh, 10. Jacob Dibden, 11. Riley Sunderland, 12. Conlan Mawson, 13. Fredrick Butler.
Bench: 14. Lewis Owens, 16. Demir Acarer, 20. Joe Bullough, 25. Joshua Orimogunje
18th Player: 19. Isaac Oughton.
Tries: Riley Sunderland.
Goals: Samuel Ackroyd (1 from 1).
HT: 38-6
FT: 64-6
