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| MATCH NOTES : Paul Wellens Testimonial Match |
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1999 SLGF
2001 WCC
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COACH : Mick Potter (2009-01-01 : 2010-12-31 ) |
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MATCH REPORT |
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MATCH REPORT : A NEAT chip through from man in the spotlight Paul Wellens for Chris Dean to cross sealed a 26-22 win over Wakefield Wildcats. Played in honour of the full back who was celebrating 10 years of loyal service at the club, both sides provided plenty of endeavour in cold conditions at the GPW Recruitment Stadium. Wakefield led 6-0 at the break thanks to an opportunistic try from Sam Obst. But tries from Tony Puletua, Tom Armstrong and Matty Ashurst put the Saints right back in it before Ryan Atkins edged the Wildcats back ahead. Wellens’ chip for Chris Dean flipped the lead once again and Ade Gardner sealed it at the death. Saints’ second run out of the season featured more players with first team experience and new signing Tony Puletua. Ade Gardner, Sean Long and Kieron Cunningham started whilst Matt Gidley was named on the bench. Of course, Mr St Helens himself, Paul Wellens, began at full back. Wakefield named a full strength 21-man squad with Will Colleran coming into the side for Jamie Rooney. Led out by Paul Wellens, Saints made an impressive start to the game with Tony Puletua driving forward and taking his teammates into Trinity’s half. Moments later, Long made a last ditch try-saving tackle on Damien Blanch. On six minutes Chris Flannery made a strong run into the Wakefield twenty but his pass to Jamie Foster just went to ground with the try line inches away. Minutes later an inside run by Wellens made space for Long’s high kick, Foster just held up short. It was all Saints making the early running; with Puletua and Hargreaves punching holes in the Wildcats’ defence. Wellens then linked up with Dean and Armstrong to send the latter away, before the full back plunged over the line, Smith ruling a knock on. But on 20 minutes, on only their third foray into the Saints half, Obst took a neat inside ball to beat Saints’ cover tackling and go over. Martin making the extras a formality. On the half an hour mark, a scampering run by Bostock, then Long, gave Maurie Fa’asavalu his first run at the Wildcats’ defence. Flannery took it on, then it came back inside to Clough who was just ankle tapped inches before the line. Half Time: Saints 0 Wakefield 6 On their first set, Wakefield’s Scott Grix kicked a superb 40:20 which put his side in prime attacking territory. Saints got on the board five minutes in when Tony Puletua drove over from short range. Ellis tying it up. But their joy was short-lived as Blaymire took a nice inside pass from Aaron Murphy to cruise over. Martin with the extras once more. Jamie Ellis provided a nice long pass for Tom Armstrong to cross moments later and although Ellis was just short with the extras, it was game on. Tony Puletua’s running once again created space for the Saints backs as, on 57 minutes, Matty Ashurst went under the sticks. Ellis with the extras. Wakefield edged back into the game with an opportunistic try from Atkins. Martin then slotted over a superb touchline conversion to put the Wildcats ahead once more. But moments later, Maurie Fa’asavalu fed it to Ellis, then to Wellens who put a cute chip through for Chris Dean to put Saints back in the lead. Foster with the extras. Ade Gardner then went over in the corner as timed ticked down to seal the win and Blanch scored a consolation for the Cats. |
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