Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 

It’s Round 4 of Super League XV and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are in town for Saints’ first Friday night ‘home’ fixture of the 2010 campaign. The Wildcats have had a great start to the year, having won all three of their Super League matches todate. 

They are currently lying in 2^nd position on the Super League XV ladder and are one of only two sides who have a 100% record. They trail, Wigan Warriors on points’ difference after great victories over Harlequins RL, Les Catalans and Leeds Rhinos. The Wildcats seem to have been working very hard during the close season particularly in defence. Todate, this term they have conceded only 48 points. 

Wakefield began their campaign a week before the main Super League kick off when they defeated Harlequins RL, at the Stoop, by 18 points to 10. This was a Round 3 match brought forward as the Quins entertained Melbourne Storm in a ‘warm up’ match ahead of their World Club Challenge encounter against the Leeds Rhinos. Both sides contributed to a tough physical clash that eventually saw Trinity emerge as deserved winners. Fijian centre Darryl Millard claimed the first try of the year on his debut, when he out jumped the Quins defence to catch a towering bomb and plunge over, with Danny Brough adding the extras and, although Jones-Bishop reduced the arrears with an unconverted try, Brough’s second conversion, following a magnificent Ben Jeffries try, after great work by Aaron Murphy saw the Wildcats lead at the break 12-4. In the second half, Jones-Bishop’s early try, goaled by Danny Orr reduced the arrears to just two points and gave the homesters some hope but full back, Murphy’s fine try on 56 minutes, goaled by Brough settled matters and gave the visitors a lead of 18 points to 10. There was no further scoring although a late fracas saw Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Richard Moore dismissed for fighting. 

The Wildcats came from behind to defeat Les Catalans. Dale Ferguson scored a 3^rd minute try that was converted by Danny Brough to give Trinity the perfect start but touchdowns by Dimitri Pelo and Olivier Elima, the latter goaled by Chris Walker, gave the visitors a lead that the held until the half hour mark. Luke George’s 4-ponter ensured the scores were level at the break but, before then, Wakefield lost two Johnson’s, as sub Paul, making his debut, suffered a ‘head injury’ whilst making his first hit up and Dallas was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for persistent infringements. Whilst the Wildcats were a man down, Sebastian Martins’ converted try by Chris Walker re established the visitors’ lead; but two tries in as many minutes by Dale Morton and Glenn Morrison and a Brough conversion effectively turned the game. A further Morton try, goaled by Brough and a later penalty by the same gave Wakefield a 28-16 lead, before Chris Walker crossed for a consolation try to reduce the arrears to eight points. 

With two from two, confidence was sky high for the visit of, Champions, Leeds Rhinos. Wakefield didn’t disappoint either, completely outplaying Leeds and thoroughly deserving their 28-18 victory. Danny Brough was outstanding, scoring 16 points from a try and six goals. Sean Gleeson opened the scoring with a magnificent try, following some outstanding approach work by Brough and Jeffries. Brough’s conversion and a penalty increased Trinity’s lead and Ben Jeffries 4-pointer gave Wakefield a 12 nil lead on the half hour. Danny McGuire’s try for Leeds was just reward for Jones-Buchanan’s outstanding work and Sinfield’s conversion and a further Brough penalty saw the Wildcats 14-6 to the good at the break. Danny Brough stunned everyone at the start of the 2^nd half by intercepting McGuire’s pass to outpace Ryan Hall in an 80 metre foot race to score a sensational try and his conversion stretched Trinity’s lead. Leeds skipper Sinfield was dispatched to the sin bin for persistent infringements and Darryl Millard’s 2^nd try of the season, goaled by Brough gave the homesters a twenty point lead. Scott Donald then added a brace of tries for the visitors and both were converted, the former by Burrow, as the Rhinos were still down to 12, and the latter by Sinfield. This lead to a jittery last 15 minutes as Leeds threw everything at Wakefield but the Wildcats held out and actually extended their eight point advantage by a further Brough penalty before the end. Wakefield thoroughly deserved their victory. They are brimming with confidence and with two weeks preparation for tonight’s match; they will have the belief that they can repeat last season’s result and defeat the Saints. 

There have however been some disruptions to their plans however with the news that their hooker, Terry Newton has, this week, been suspended by the club after failing a drugs test.  Terry was one of John Kear’s headline, ‘off season’; signings for Trinity from the Bulls and his absence will be significant. Terry’s loss is yet another wretched piece of luck that has befallen the Wakefield club, over the last 18 months. 

Terry was one of eight new players that joined the Wildcat’s squad during the close season. Thirteen players also departed. Most critics believe that those squads who have a high turnover of personnel tend to struggle early on, during a campaign, but the form and the results that Wakefield have shown tend to side with John Kear’s argument that such actions actually eliminate complacency and motivate players raise their performance levels. Todate they have gelled well and this augers good for the future. 

Since the advent of Super League, Saints have faced Wakefield on 25 occasions, winning nineteen matches to Wakefield’s six. At the GPW Recruitment Stadium, St. Helens have won eleven of the thirteen meetings including a 64-16 win and a 60 points to 4 victory (both in 2005), with Wakefield’s ‘away’ successes being a 16 points to 10 triumph in 2003 and a 22 points to 20 win, last year

Around and About

Unpredictable 

Super League XV is now well and truly underway and how refreshing it is to see such an unpredictable set of results. After just 3 Rounds, only Wigan and Wakefield can currently boast a 100% record, whilst Les Catalans and Salford are the only two teams who have yet to get off the mark. There have already been some cracking games and some quite magnificent football on display. 

It is so difficult to decide who has had the better of the starts as it is still difficult to judge the relative strengths and weaknesses of each team. Saints are a pressing example of this. Last time we were at Knowsley Road, three weeks ago, Hull defeated St. Helens by 32 points to 12. The weather was abysmal, Hull were very good and Saints were rather ordinary. Hence some of Saints’ speccies were booing their team off at the end and there were doom merchants predicting a long, hard campaign for St. Helens. The following week, Hull beat Huddersfield by 14 points to 6 to maintain their 100% but suffered a surprise 16-18 reversal at Crusaders last Sunday. 

A fortnight ago at Bradford, Saints were outstanding. They played some magnificent football and comprehensively defeated the Bulls 38-6. Leon Pryce was outstanding as was James Roby, yet Wello stole the show with 4 great tries. St. Helens, on the day, looked to be in a different league than Bradford. The Saints fans sang and applauded, whilst some of the Bulls’ supporters booed their team. Bradford (who had been beaten at Huddersfield in their opening Super League fixture) had lost both of their matches and there were calls on the radio for their Head Coach, Steve McNamara to be sacked. Last Friday, Bradford hammered Castleford by 41 points to 22 and left the field to cheers and chants. What a difference in a week! 

Last Saturday, St. Helens visited the South of France and defeated Les Catalans by 42 points to 12. The Saints again played very well whilst the Dragons were hindered by the 1^st half dismissal of Olivier Elima, and this defeat, following earlier losses at Wakefield and Harlequins sees the Catalans currently at the foot of the Super League XV ladder with three defeats. 

For the record, at present Saints are lying in 4th place, Hull are 6^th and Bradford 10^th. Looking round the rest of the teams, Champions, Leeds have suffered two defeats in their opening four matches at the hands of Castleford and Wakefield and they have an identical record to Crusaders who, having beaten Salford and Hull have lost against Leeds and Wigan. They lie in 7^th and 8^th position respectively and are both likely to fall this weekend as neither side has a match due to their Round 4 clash being brought forward due to the World Club Challenge. 

It looks like it will be a few more weeks before the competition settles down and until then, my advice is to expect the unexpected. I will however attempt to stick my neck out and predict how the Super League XV table will look at the end of the 27 Rounds. In my opinion, Leeds will again be Minor Premiers. Warrington, St. Helens, Hull, Wigan, Huddersfield, Bradford and Wakefield make up the remainder of the Top 8 in that order, whilst they will be followed by, Castleford, Hull KR, Les Catalans, Harlequins, Salford and Crusaders. 

Rules 

The game in Australia has once again been experimenting with its rules. At one time when the NRL approved a new rule it appeared that we in Britain simply followed suit. Then last season they brought in two referees. A good move? Well I’m a tad unsure; as I found it very distracting whilst following a passage of play to see two referees out of the corner of my eye. I am yet unconvinced that it has improved the game and I am glad we haven’t adopted this practice in our competition. 

Now this season, I see our Antipodean cousins have trialled another new rule in a pre season Exhibition game between the Indigenous All Stars versus the NRL All Stars at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast. During this match, veteran Indigenous All Star winger, Wendell Sailor, who was playing in his last match before his retirement, scored a try in the corner and his team elected to use the new experimental ‘double try’ rule. Instead of lining up the conversion, the Indigenous All Stars took one tackle from 15 metres out to attempt to score a further try, whilst the NRL All Stars full back was forced to sit the play out on the side line. Thankfully the gamble failed but I cannot believe that this rule has been trialled. I just don’t know what they’re thinking because, although I am not sure which pre planned set play, the Indigenous All Stars used, I am pretty certain that if it was universally accepted in all matches, we would finish all too regularly with a play the ball and one or two passes before a huge ‘up and under’ would ensure that it rapidly turned into a ‘percentage’ play. 

If the Aussies are to be taken seriously upon the introduction of rules which enhance our game, why don’t they look at increasing the gap between the respective attacking and defensive lines at scummages, award a handover at the point a ball is punted down the field should it eventually run ‘dead’ or reduce the reward for a try scored from a kick to three points? Surely issues such as these deserve visiting before we look at bringing in rules as daft as having two referees and the scoring of a ‘double try’.

Saints slay the Dragons

Catalans Dragons 12 St. Helens 42 – Saturday 20^th February 2010 

I was unable to travel to Perpignan for this match, on Saturday evening, so I have gathered a match report from a mixture of players and fan’s comments and reports in the Media. 

St. Helens secured their second successive Super League victory with an impressive 42 points to 12 defeat of Les Catalans. The home team started proceedings well and raced to an early 8 nil before Saints hit back to score 42 unanswered points to secure the win, with the home side collecting a late consolation try to make the final scoreline just a little more respectable. The Dragons, who have still to win this year and are now at the foot of the Super League table, were hampered by the 1^st half dismissal of Olivier Elima following a high tackle on Saints’ young right win, Jonny Lomax. 

The teams lined up as follows: 

Catalans Dragons: 

1. Clint Greenshields, 26. Cyril Stacul, 23. Chris Walker, 4. Setaimata Sa, 5. Dimitri Pelo, 6. Adam Mogg, 16. William Barthau, 8. David Ferriol, 9. Casey McGuire, 18. Dane Carlaw, 11. Olivier Elima, 17. Cyrille Gossard, 13. Dallas Johnson 

Subs, 3. Sebastien Raguin, 12. Gregory Mounis, 22. Jamal Fakir, 24. Remi Casty 

St. Helens: 

1. Paul Wellens, 24 Jonny Lomax, 3. Matt Gidley, 21. Gary Wheeler, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Kyle Eastmond, 8. Nick Fozzard, 16. Scott Moore, 10 James Graham, 11. Tony Puletua, 12. Jon Wilkin, 17. Paul Clough 

Subs, 14. James Roby, 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu, 18. Matty Ashurst 

Referee: Steve Ganson 

The game began at a furious pace and James Graham was injured early on, looking like he was struggling with yet another blow to the sternum. He was able to continue and Saints were penalised for lying on. The Dragons made the most of this early platform and moved the ball down the field into the St. Helens’ quarter, following a powerful break by Elima. On the last tackle, a high kick towards Saints’ left wing saw Setaimata Sa out jump Gary Wheeler to touch down and the Dragons were ahead in only the second minute. William Barthau failed with his conversion attempt. 

In Saints first meaningful attack, Kyle Eastmond’s chip kick was fielded by Clint Greenshields who immediately turned defence into attack. The full back showed his class by breaking the Saints’ defensive line through a poor Eastmond attempted tackle and taking the ball up as far as the half way line, he drew the remaining Saints’ cover before passing to Chris Walker who raced away to register Catalans’ second try in the left corner despite a late desperate attempted ankle tap by Jonny Lomax. The Dragons were 8 points up in just 9 minutes. 

That was as good as it got for the home team. Saints slowly clawed the way back into the game and tested the Dragons’ defence. On 11 minutes, James Graham and opposing prop Dane Carlaw suffered a sickening accidental head clash in a thundering tackle that resulted in both players leaving the field and being unable to return for the remainder of the match. David Ferriol was penalised for passing the ball after Ganson had called ‘held’ even though the defence still seemed to be driving him back and towards the back end of the resultant possession Paul Wellens’ perfectly weighted clever cross-field kick saw right wing, Jonny Lomax cross in the corner, in acres of space, to open Saints’ account.

With the game delicately poised at 8-4 to the Dragons the pivotal moment of the match occurred. Saints were on the attack and moved the ball out to their right. Jonny Lomax collected the ball and looked like he was going to score as he stepped inside the sliding defence. Elima’s elbow / shoulder clattered into Jonny’s head and young Lomax was sent sprawling to the floor. Ganson immediately dismissed Elima and play was held up to give a very dazed looking Lomax time to recover. Lomax remained on the field but only for a further minute or so. In the resultant set of six, Saints worked the overlap on the right and Lomax collected a pass to score his second try in the corner under a further heavy challenge. Kyle added a magnificent conversion and Saints were ahead, as Lomax was led from the field, also unable to return. 

Leon Pryce was now stamping his authority on the match as he was instrumental in moving the ball about at every opportunity bringing Matt Gidley and Gary Wheeler into play at every opportunity. On the half hour mark, it was Leon’s perfectly weighted chip kick to the left corner that saw Francis Meli collect and score Saints’ third try of the evening. Five minutes later, Matt Gidley effectively ended the match as a viable contest when he cut back inside to end a great Saints break with their fourth try; that was created by Tony Puletua and Paul Wellens, before Leon fed Gids. At the break, in front of a partisan crowd of 7,825, Saints led by 18 points to 8. 

St. Helens began the second period as they had ended the first and looked like they were going for the kill. They were clinical. Wello was unlucky not to collect a clever Eastmond bomb but, following a great defensive set, the Dragons turned the ball over deep in their own 20 metre zone and Maurie Fa’asavalu scored a try by the posts after barging over the whitewash with three home defenders hanging on to him, hoping to halt his progress. 

Matt Gidley was also immense on the night and it was his fine work, following an outrageous Pryce dummy and offload, that led to Kyle Eastmond outpacing Le Catalans’ defence from 30 metres out to score Saints’ sixth try; and only a minute later an outstanding handling move led to Meli scoring his second try. Eastmond’s three conversions saw St. Helens lead 36-8 after only 50 minutes and it looked like the flood gates were about to open. 

The Dragons did well to restrict Saints to just one further try. Matt Gidley was the scorer, after supporting a fine break by Matty Ashurst, before a classic show and go saw him comfortably cross the homesters’ try line. Kyle’s 5^th conversion of the night completed Saints’ scoring on the hour mark. 

Catalans then showed some welcome resilience for the remainder of the game and they had the consolation of scoring the game’s final try in the 75^th minute when Chris Walker collected his second try on the night, after a crisp handling move. 

Overall Saints can take a lot of positives from this match Leon Pryce and Matt Gidley were outstanding but on the back of a great platform created by Saints’ pack. Perpignan had been a tough place for St. Helens in the past, but on this occasion they were worthy winners. The Dragons were without Thomas Bosc but Saints didn’t have Ade Gardner, Sia Soliola, Keiron Cunningham or Chris Flannery. They also had Olivier Elima dismissed and lost Dane Carlaw, but again it should be noted that with the injuries to James Graham and Jonny Lomax, Saints’ only had two interchange players to rotate. 

St. Helens are now in 4^th position in the League and are playing some great football. Next up is a visit by the unbeaten Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and they should arrive full of confidence and test Saints’ ability to its limit.

Newton admits his guilt

 

 

Terry Newton today has admitted his guilt. It has now come to light that he was found to have tested positive for a human growth hormone (HGH). Terry is the first sports star to be have tested positive for this substance and his positive test is seen as a major step forward in the detection of drugs in the system.  

By acting on the liver and other tissues, HGH increases bone growth and plays a key role in muscle and organ growth. That makes it a prohibited substance under WADA’s list of prohibited substances.

He has apologised and will face a mandatory 2 year ban. As he will be 33 years old when his ban ends, he may have played his last top flight game of Rugby League.

Saints’ to face the heat as they come up against the Dragons

 

Saints’ are in France this coming weekend as they face the Catalans Dragons. This is a traditionally difficult fixture. The Dragons have yet to win this season as they have been beaten in their opening two Super League matches as Wakefield and Harlequins and they will therefore fired up as they attempt to acquire their first points.

Saints’ have won one of their two matches and that was at Bradford, last weekend. Keiron Cunningham will once again be absent following the loss of his mother and both Ade Gardner and Sia Soloiola are still injured.

I am not attending this match but will scribe a report of the game from snippets of information from the players, the fans and the Press.

The drugs don’t work!……………………..The sad demise of Terry Newton

 

The breaking Rugby League news story today is that Wakefield Trinity Wildcats hooker Terry Newton has been suspended by his club after his A sample tested positive at a Drugs Test conducted during the off season. The details are sketchy at the moment, as whilst everyone awaits the results of his B sample. 

Terry had only signed for Wakefield at the end of last season from Bradford Bulls and he had been their ‘marquee’ signing for 2010. This is a very sad story, particularly for the Wildcats who had planned their recruitment campaign around his signature. Terry is 31 years of age and had previously played for Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors. 

I have known Terry for many years. I first met him when I was an Amateur Rugby League Referee and I officiated at a match involving Terry’s Orrell St. James’ team back in 1993. He was a stand out player then alongside his team mates’ Chris Causey and Martin Carney. That Orrell St. James team were very good and I officiated at about half a dozen of their matches. Terry was always very polite and friendly and we often reflected on these times later on when we met.

I was made up for him, on a personal level, when he signed for Leeds and again when he joined Wigan but it was whilst he was with the Warriors that I found a side to his game that I did not approve of. 

It appeared that when Terry played in the Wigan v Saints derby matches he would go ‘over the top’ and he was involved in several unsavoury tackles, particularly at the JJB Stadium, that left Saints’ players, dazed, injured or unconscious. He began to have an unwanted reputation as a ‘dirty ‘b’stard’ and the Saints’ fans hated him. Matters sadly came to a head in a Super League encounter at Wigan towards the end of the 2005 season when Terry hit two St. Helens’ players, Sean Long and Darren Albert with late tackles with the elbow / fore arm, during the 1^st half; that led to both suffering fractured cheekbones. Not only did both players miss the remainder of the season but Saints’ quest for the 2005 Super League crown was effectively ended that night. They did win the game and were crowned as Minor Premiers but after that match, Bradford defeated Saints in their final Super League regular match at Knowsley Road and both Leeds and Bradford visited Saints in the Play Offs and left as winners. Saints thus became the only team to have finished a season as ‘top of the league’ to fail to reach the Grand Final, and the Bulls became the only side to win the Super League Grand Final from 3^rd position. Newton remarkably wasn’t sent off in that game but was banned for a record number of weeks at a later Disciplinary Meeting. 

After that he was treated like a ‘pantomime villain’ by the St. Helens’ Supporters whenever he turned out to play against Saints. He was also part of one of the strangest transfers during Super League as Mickey Higham left Saints to join the Bulls who subsequently swapped him with Wigan for Terry Newton. One would assume this was simply to avoid Mickey simply signing for Wigan from Saints. 

It is a very sad affair all round. Terry at 31 has possibly now played his last top flight Super League match, as he faces a mandatory 2 year ban, should his B sample confirm the results of his A sample and then his reputation will be in tatters. Terry was a very good player. It is unfortunate that he played in an era where Keiron Cunningham, James Lowes, Matt Diskin and James Roby where also in competition with him for Representative Honours and he probably didn’t gain the plaudits he deserved. My abiding memory of Terry Newton is seeing him in tears at Old Trafford after he was a beaten finalist in a Grand Final. He will probably be shedding more tears tonight! 

There is no place for drugs in sport. I deplore those who do take drugs as I believe that it is cheating. I also feel we should throw the book at anyone caught taking drugs, whether recreational or, worse still, performance enhancing. This is a sad story and should he be found guilty after his B sample is tested then it is only right he is kicked out of the game and he lose both his reputation and his livelihood.

Steve Prescott and Super League take on Chizzy!

Steve Prescott MBE, Nick Fozzard, Micky Higham, Dave ‘Chizzy’ Chisnall, Paul Wellens, Lee Briers, Stephen Wild, Ade Gardner, Paul Sculthorpe and Wakefield Wildcat Dolls

Steve Prescott and Super League take on Chizzy – Moss Bank Labour Club – Monday 15^th February 2010

Tonight I attended an event organised by the Steve Prescott Foundation that saw BDO World Championship Runner Up Dave ‘Chizzy’ Chisnall take a selection of Super League players at Darts. 

I attended this event with Jay and Ant and we had a great time. I’ve always had a great deal of time for Steve Prescott. He is a personal friend of mine and one of my favourite Saints’ players. I had the privilage of being the Kitman and Statsman when Steve broke into Saints’ A Team in 1994 and from then on throughout his St. Helens’ career we remained close. We also kept in touch when he moved to Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and I was deeply saddened when he was forced to retire due to a serious knee injury whilst playing for Lancashire when he was arguably playing the best footie of his career. 

He was then tragically diagnosed with cancer and I have followed his subsequent treatment and the amazing work he has since done for Charity. 

This was a most enjoyable occasion and it is events such as this that allows supporters to really get up close and personal with their heroes and sets the game of Rugby League apart from just about any other pro sport in this modern era. 

Tonight, Steve had been joined by Nick Fozzard, Micky Higham, Paul Wellens, Lee Briers, Stephen Wild, Ade Gardner, Paul Sculthorpe, the Wakefield Wildcat Dolls and Sky Sports’ Presenter, Angela Powers. Former Super League Referee Karl Kirkpatrick had been Master of Ceremonies and of course the star draw of the night was Dave ‘Chizzy’ Chisnall. 

Over 250 fans were present and £2,700 was raised. I got chance to catch up with some old friends both in the audience and amongst the Super League stars. The duration of the event was 4 hours as each celebrity took on Chizzy and the was also opportunities for member of the audience to go head to head with Dave also. The night ended with an auction and a raffle from which I was lucky enough to win a bottle of Southern Comfort and a box of Budweisser Beers. 

In addition I was also able to speak to Mike Denning and the tireless Martin Blondell. What a guy! 

Jay and Ant also enjoyed themselves mingling with the stars and having their photos taken. Jay even managed to acquire Micky Higham’s darts at the end of the evening. The half mile walk home was sobering at the end of the night particularly as I was laden with the beer!

Wakefield Wildcat Dolls

The Pryce is right as Saints bulldoze Bradford

Bradford Bulls 6 Saints 38 – Sunday 14^th February 2010 

There’s always a spring in one’s step when on route to the first ‘away’ match of the season and I was really looking forward to this one. I had been a little disappointed in Saints’ opening performance, in the defeat at home to Hull, and having lost their opener, I was really apprehensive about Saints’ next two matches at Bradford and Les Catalans. Let’s face we’ve been to both venues when we’ve been on top of our game in recent years and been turned over! 

There had been some rather unfair criticism aimed at the team and Head Coach, Mick Potter during the week and I sincerely hope we can win today to silence the doubters. Let’s face it and to put things into perspective. Good teams don’t become bad ones over night and the team that faced Hull was only missing Francis Meli, Sean Long and Lee Gilmour from the side that were only 8 minutes, and a wretched Video Ref  call, away from being crowned as ‘Champions in 2009. 

The weather was fair (and that’s always a good shout prior to a match at Odsal) and Odsal Stadium is actually my favourite ‘away’ venue. I don’t know why this is the case but one thing that isn’t in doubt is the fact that there is no other ground in any sport, anywhere in the world, that is anything like Odsal Stadium. It is most certainly unique. I have just wished at times that it had a ‘bloody’ roof! 

Odsal Stadium

I was travelling to this match on my own. I don’t have a problem with this as I know that I will always bump into some friends at the match to stand with. I am Bill Bates, after all, alias the ‘Legendary Supporter’ and by even my vast experience, this afternoon I was destined to be spoiled for choice of company. I travelled on the one Supporters’ Coach that travelled from the club. I was a tad disappointed that they couldn’t even fill this. 

A 12.30pm departure from Knowsley Road was good and the journey was almost perfect. I chatted to a few familiar faces on the Coach (although I must admit all of their names either have escaped me or were never known to me in the first place). No one was over confident but it’s fair to say we were all hopeful of a win. I for one was really excited at seeing young Kyle Eastmond up against Bradford’s ‘marquee’ signing Matt Orford. 

Upon our arrival there was confusion as where to catch the Coach back home as a Bradford Steward first told the Supporters’ Steward that they could park the Coach in one of Odsal’s Car Parks only to retract the statement and direct the Coach driver to the usual pick up point on the Halifax road over the large roundabout, but only after over 75% of the passenger has disembarked and entered the Stadium. 

The first mate of mine I bumped into was Brian Middlehurst. He, like me, is a Haydock lad and someone I’ve known since I was at school as we both collected Programmes. Brian is a sound guy who knows his rugby and very pleasant to talk to. Whilst I was reading my programme I then met Chris Highcock, alias ‘Mutley’, and his family. Chris and I are good mates and it was great to see him and ‘talk’ rugby. He had driven over. The next guy I spoke to was Stu McGuire, alias ‘Reacher’. Stu and I are also friends and he too lived near me in Haydock. We have always kept in touch and he, like me, is also a ‘Red Vee’ Moderator. Stood behind Stu were Paul Devanney, alias ‘Div’, and his wife Julie. ‘Div’ was one of my longest standing Saints’ supporting friends. He, like Stu and me is also a ‘Red Vee’ Mod and we had a good old fashioned chin wag. I moved back to stand with Chris and as the match began we were joined by, retired Estate Agent, and quiz king, Mark Kerr. Could thing get any better? 

As the teams were announced there was a huge shock in the Saints’ line up. Scott Moore was starting at hooker and Keiron Cunningham, due to make his 500^th career appearance today, wasn’t even named on the bench. Later, on the way home, I was informed that Keiron’s absence was due to the fact that his mother had sadly passed away the previous evening. This news was terrible, and my heart goes out to Keiron and his family at this time and he is currently foremost in my thoughts and prayers! 

Anyway, the teams lined up as follows: 

Bradford Bulls: 

1. David Halley, 2. Rikki Sheriffe, 3. Paul Sykes, 4. Chris Nero, 5. Stuart Rearden, 6. Brett Kearney, 7. Matt Orford, 8. Nick Scruton, 9. Heath L’Estrange, 10. Andy Lynch, 13. Jamie Langley, 20. Elliot Whitehead, 11. Steve Menzies 

Subs, 12. Glenn Hall, 14. Wayne Godwin, 16. Michael Worrincy, 18. Craig Kopczak 

St. Helens: 

1. Paul Wellens, 24. Jonny Lomax, 3. Matt Gidley, 21. Gary Wheeler, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Kyle Eastmond, 8. Nick Fozzard, 16. Scott Moore, 10. James Graham, 13. Chris Flannery, 12. Jon Wilkin, 11. Tony Puletua 

Subs, 14. James Roby, 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu, 17. Paul Clough 

Referee: Phil Bentham 

Saints began the game well. In their first set of six there was a noticeable emphasis on keeping the ball alive. This is the Saints’ traditional rugby style that we have all grown to love. A slight over lap saw Jon Wilkin fling the ball out wide and unfortunately his pass was a little too high for Jonny Lomax, on the right wing, to gather and the ball ended in touch. Just a few minutes later Chris Nero was held up just short of the Saints’ line and a loose ball saw Francis Meli gather and link with Gary Wheeler on a speedy counter attack. The Bulls’ scrambling defence covered well though and Wheeler was tackled on the half way line.   

Jamie Langley threatened the St. Helens line. He was magnificently tackled by Wello. Leon Pryce was having a cracker. His distribution and link play with Kyle Eastmond was a key part of Saints’ early dominance. Fine work by Tony Puletua kept the ball alive and he superbly fed the supporting Pryce as Saints’ attacked straight down the middle. Prycey offloaded to Wello who handed it on the Jon Wilkin and Saints were in by the sticks to open their account with a lovely try. Eastmond converted and Saints were six points to the good. 

St. Helens’ offence was crisp and fresh and Bradford were penned back. The visitors, very much in the ascendancy, attacked at will. Eastmond added a penalty goal before Saints’ scored a try of breath taking quality. Jonny Lomax started the proceedings with a magnificent diffusion of a towering Bulls’ bomb. The ball was worked out to the left wing where Meli made a 50 metre break. He had his ankles tapped and from a very fast resultant play the ball, Pryce continued Saints’ fine work by taking the ball through the Bradford defensive line and offloading to the supporting Wellens who scored the try behind the posts. 

Pryce soon combined with Wello again and he collected his second try as Saints continued to dominate. At 20 points to nil, St. Helens had broken the 16 point barrier for the first time since last July and all within the first half hour of the match! Eastmond and Clough came close to extending Saints’ advantage before the interval. Lomax forced evasive action from Halley that led to a Bull’s drop out and Roby’s grubber kick had just a little too much on it for Puletua to dive on, in the Bulls in goal area. At the break Saints remained 20 points to the good. They had been brilliant and their supporters cheered heartily as the sides left the arena. 

Prycey was having a magnificent match. James Roby had the Bulls’ defence chasing shadows, Wello’s support play had been awesome, Jon Wilkin was back to his best and forwards, Fozz, Jammer and Bryn had completely dominated. During the interval I had left Chris Highcock and Mark Kerr, had another chat to Stu and made my way to stand with Alex Service with whom I watched the second half. 

Bradford began the 2^nd period well. Two last ditch Saints’ tackles preserved their line and just 8 minutes into the half a Bulls overlap spelled danger. Matt Orford launched a speculative long pass and in a flash Kyle Eastmond intercepted and raced 80 metres score Saints’ fourth try. His conversion maintained his 100% record. Bradford again put Saints under pressure. They were a much improved outfit in the second period and they had a good quarter of an hour’s pressure. Saints’ scrambling defence held out with Wello simply outstanding. 

On sixty five minutes Saints’ counter attacked. From deep in their own 20 metre area the ball was kept alive. It was worked up field before Robes and Scott Moore linked well. The focus of this mesmerising move worked right and involved Lomax who turned the ball back inside to Wello to complete his hat trick of tries. This was already a contender for ‘try of the season’. The speed of the counter attack had been simply awesome. Wello added a fourth try a few moments later to equal his best total ever in a match and Eastmond’s sixth and seventh goals put Saints 38 nil up. 

Time was nearly up and with less than 30 seconds remaining Bradford scored a consolation try. Matt Orford spotted a slight gap in the Saints’ defence and he scored. Orford’s conversion meant the final score was Bradford 6 Saints 38. What a difference a week makes! Saints were very good, Bradford were slightly off colour. The St. Helens’ supporters were jubilant, some of those Bulls’ fans who were still around at the end booed their team from the field. The attendance was 10,165. 

Leon Pryce had been simply magnificent. On any other day his performance would have earned him the man of the match, but today Wello was even better. His display of support play had been ‘World Class’. The interchanging of Scott Moore and James Roby had also gone well and Saints outside backs also looked dangerous every time they had the ball. Saints’ forwards this week had been every bit as good as Hull’s had done last Saturday and this bodes well for the remainder of the season. St. Helens were off the mark and in a very pleasing way. The confidence that a performance and result such as this generates can also only be for the good. Well done Saints! 

The rest of the day, and the journey home was uneventful except to say that Wakefield Trinity Wildcat’s defeat of Leeds Rhinos was also a welcome result amongst the Saints’ supporters. This game had kicked off half an hour after Bulls v Saints’ game so it was even more pleasing to be able to listen to the closing stages of this match over the radio on the Supporters’ Coach. The final score had been Wakefield 28 Leeds 18. Trinity had now won three from three and were top of the league. They are having a week off next weekend as their game at Harlequins had been brought forward so the London based outfit could be Melbourne Storms opponents in a warm up match ahead of their World Club Challenge clash with Leeds in 3 weeks, and their next game is at Knowsley Road v St. Helens in a fortnight. The Rhinos’ defeat had been their second successive reversal, having lost at home to Castleford last weekend.

Saints Reserves triumph at Salford

Salford City Reds Reserves 30 Saints Reserves 46 – Saturday 13^th February 2010 

There was drama at The Willows in this Reserve Team Friendly match. Those present, witnessed no fewer than 14 tries, 10 goals and 5 sin binnings. Saints’ Reserve Team Head Coach took the opportunity to field no fewer than 22 players in this encounter as they attempted to put their defeat against Keighley Cougars 1^st Team behind them. 

The teams lines up as follows: 

Salford Reserves: 

1. Lewis Palfrey, 2. Adam Clay, 3. Imad Nasir, 4. Toby Adamson, 5. Eddie Vaughan, 6. Tom Whitehead, 7. Marc Sneyd, 8. Lee Jewitt, 9. Marlon Alker, 10. Adam Sidlow, 11. Ben Wood, 12. Stuart Littler, 13. Jack Spence 

Subs, 14. Gareth Owen, 15. Paul Steele, 16. Ben Burrows, 17. Mathew Haggerty, 18. Andy Morris, 19. Richard Lepori, 20. Will Hope 

St. Helens Reserves: 

1. Jamie Foster, 2. Tom Makinson, 3. Paul Johnson, 4. Jack Bradbury, 5. Tom Armstrong, 6. Lee Gaskell, 7. Jamie Ellis, 8. Andy Yates, 9. Karl Ashall, 10. Ste Lucas, 11. Andrew Dixon, 12. Warren Thompson, 13. Matty Ashurst 

Subs, 14. Josh Cullen, 15. Scott Hale, 16. Shaun Magennis, 17. Liam Gilchrist, 18. Carl Forster, 19. Tommy Johnson, 20. Dave Sutton, 21. Ste Neild, 22. Billy Sheen

 An 11.30am kick off ensured it was a very early start for me. I was opening up at Knowsley Road at 8.00am in order to put up the kit and was joined by fellow Kitman Alan Knowles alias ‘Knoller’. Early season matches are always a tad more nerve wracking as we make doubly sure we have packed everything and the inclusion of 22 players makes the job that little more complicated as we are usually only geared up for 17. 

Saturday was a good day and we loaded up the bus just in time for the 9.15am leave. At Salford, the dressing rooms were laid out and the players changed for the game. 

The match itself was dramatic to say the least. The City Reds started off on fire and raced to a 24-0 lead in as many minutes. They were playing well whilst Saints were a little off colour. After a half hour they seemed to be tiring and St. Helens, rejuvenated by the introduction of debutant and former Warrington Wizards hooker, Billy Sheen hit back. With a much faster and more effective distribution, the Saints’ offence clicked into gear and they were rewarded by three fine tries in a great 5 minute period. 

Lee Gaskell broke the Salford line to score the first and impressive work by Shaun Magennis and Carl Forster created the field position for Gaskell to step off his right foot, straighten up, breeze through the City Reds’ defensive line and round the Lewis Palfrey to score both his and Saints second try. With ‘Fozz’ (Jamie Foster converting both Saints were on the front foot and a huge Liam Gilchrist drive created Saints’ 3^rd try when he fed Andrew Dixon who broke a tackle to score a thoroughly deserved try. Fozz’s 3^rd goal brought Saints back within six and the gap could have been reduced yet more, before the break, if Tom Makinson’s try, right on the whistle, had not been ruled out for him being adjudged to have been slightly offside. At the interval, Salford led 24-18. 

Some harsh truths were discussed during the break as the Saints’ Coaching Staff discussed the match with the players. I will seldom talk about the contents of the half time pep talks as I believe that the Dressing Room is where they are best kept. I will add that on this occasion the lads did receive a proverbial kick up the backside. 

Salford began the 2^nd half as they had started the 1^st with a converted try in their first set of six pouncing on a dropped ball from the kick off. Saints’ already reduced to 12 men due to the sin binning of Matty Ashurst for persistent foul play late in the 1^st half, found their numbers further depleted by Billy Sheen also being sent to the cooler after a miss timed tackle became a trip. For four long minutes Saints played with 11 men yet amazingly, not only did they hold their own, the actually started to exert some pressure on the Salford defence. 

Fozz became an emergency hooker and it was he who clever set up Andrew Dixon to cross for his 2^nd try after a fine break down the left. A fourth conversion reduced the arrears back to six some sterling work by Liam Gilchrist and Carl Forster put Saints back in the ascendancy. A Jamie Foster 40-20 gave St. Helens a great field position and from the resultant scrum, Matty Ashurst, having returned from the ‘bin’ created a fine try on the right for Tom Armstrong. Fozz’s fifth conversion tied the scores at 30 all. Saints were very much on top and with parity restored in terms of numbers, they began to dominate. On a rare Salford attack a long speculative pass was plucked from the air by Lee Gaskell and he raced 90 metres to complete his hat trick of tries. Tommy Johnson then finished off a fine move to score Saints 7^th try and Jamie Foster maintained his 100% record with the boot. 

Salford were very tired at this point and their discipline suffered. In the last eight minutes they were to have three players dispatched to the sin bin ensuring they were down to 12 men for 5 minutes and reduced to 10 for the last three. It was during these last few moments that Saints saved their best try of the day as Paul Johnson’s unconverted try in the corner finished off an outstanding team try that had passed trough several pairs of hands during its 90 metre passage. The final score was Salford Reserves 30 St. Helens Reserves 46. 

Saints’ star performers were Andrew Dixon and Matty Ashurst with Liam Gilchrist also great with the ball in hand. Scott Hale, Liam Gilchrist, Carl Forster and Billy Sheen also stood out after coming from the bench after a shaky opening half hour. All in all this was good hard work out and one Ian Talbot would have found useful just a fortnight ahead of the start of their Under 20s Championship. The only real worries for Saints were the knee injuries that befell Jamie Ellis and Shaun Magennis that led to both of their withdrawals during the 2^nd half.

Away Days

As my excitement levels rise before the weekend, when I shall be working as Saints’ Kit man for the Under 20s pre season Friendly at Salford City Reds on Saturday and visiting Bradford Bulls’ Odsal Stadium for Saints’ Super League encounter on Sunday, I thought I would like to share with you a list of the Away Grounds that I have visited whilst watching Saints: 

I have seen Saints 1st Team play at:

Craven Park, Barrow
Mount Pleasant
Odsal
Valley Parade
McLaren Field, Bramley
Wheldon Road
Stade Aime Giral, Perpignan (France)
Crown Flatt
Deepdale, Preston
Tattersfield, Doncaster
Post Office Road
Craven Cottage
The Stoop
The Valley, Charlton
Brentford
Gateshead International Stadium
Thrum Hall
The Shay
Fartown
Leeds Road, Huddersfield
McAlpine Stadium
The Boulevard
KC Stadium
Craven Park, Hull
New Craven Park, Hull
Elland Road, Leeds
South Leeds Stadium
Lawkholme Lane, Keighley
Maidstone, Kent
Headingley
Hilton Park
Watersheadings
Boundary Park, Oldham
Staleybridge Celtic
Spotland
Knowsley Road
Anfield, Liverpool
The Willows
Owlerton, Sheffield
Hillsborough, Sheffield
Don Valley Stadium
Cardiff Arms Park
Station Road, Swinton
Burnden Park, Bolton
Maine Road, Manchester
Gigg Lane, Bury
Belle Vue, Wakefield
Oakwell, Barnsley
Wilderspool, Warrington
HJ Stadium, Warrington
Recreation Ground, Whitehaven
Naughton Park
Central Park
JJB Stadium
Vetch Field, Swansea
Derwent Park, Workington
Wiggington Road, York
Reebok Stadium, Bolton
Old Trafford
Wembley
Twickenham
Murrayfield
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff 

Some of the other grounds I’ve visited whilst watching Sts Academy & A Team are:

New Crown Flatt
St. Albans ARLFC
Barnet Coptal
Gillingham Baracks
Henly RUFC
London Polytechnic
Blackheath RUFC
Twickenham RUFC (Not the famous Stadium)
Brewery Park, Bridgend
Cambridge University
St. Mary’s College, Roehampton
Bloomfield Road, Blackpool
Halifax RUFC
Huddersfield RUFC
Moldgreen ARLFC
Hull RUFC
Hull Ionians RUFC
A High School overlooking Hull KR’s New Craven Park
Ashton United FC
Hyde FC
Liverpool St. Helens RUFC
Edge Hill College
Woodbourn Stadium, Sheffield
Emley FC
Widnes RUFC
Orrell RUFC
Worcester RUFC
Huntingham Stadium, York
Bangor RUFC (Northern Ireland)
Dublin RUFC
Donnybrook, Leinster RUFC, Dublin (Eire)

There are certainly more of these which I’ll add as I remember