ST PETER’S RC 26 YSGOL GLANTAF 6
PHIL HODGSON
Wembley Stadium
THE Rugby League knowhow of St Peter’s halfbacks Leo McMullen and Harry Brown – sons, respectively, of former BARLA Great Britain captain John McMullen and former England and Super League star Kevin Brown – helped steer the Orrell-based school to an ultimately comfortable victory over a Cardiff team who grew into the contest after an uncertain start.
St Peter’s opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Joseph Dewsnip pouncing after Glantaf were unable to smother McMullen’s sweetly-flighted kick.
And, three minutes later, the lead was doubled when another precision kick by McMullen led to Max Dowthwaite dotting down, also wide out.
McMullen was unable to improve either score, but St Peter’s went 14-0 up in the twelfth minute, when prop Jake Porter registered a stunning try from his own half and McMullen adding the goal from in front of the posts.
Glantaf, who at that stage looked in danger of suffering a landslide defeat, rubbished that notion by, instead, forcing their way into the game.
After their first spell of pressure, Trystan Nichols was held up as half-time approached.
St Peter’s went 20 points clear shortly after the restart when Brown, showing subtle handling skills, thwarted the cover before racing 60 metres for a superb solo score.
McMullen’s conversion served to inspire something of a rally by Glantaf, for whom bespectacled scrum-half Rhys Howard impressed.
Nichols grabbed the try his efforts deserved as the game headed into the final quarter, Jack Witchell adding the extras.
But, after Nichols had again showed his attacking qualities with a 40-metre clearing run, St Peter’s finished in style, outstanding fullback
Jack Lancaster breaching the Welsh defence before firing a telling pass to Jake Roberts, who scamped over for McMullen to fire his third goal.
ST PETER’S: Jack Lancaster, Oliver Anderson, Max Amor, James Johnson, Max Dowthwaite, Leo McMullen, Harry Brown, Jake Porter, Theo Molyneux, Jacob Blakemore, Sam Hurst, Joseph Dewsnip, George Hindle. Subs: Tyler Cooper, George Ainsworth, Evan Marsh, Jake Roberts, Issac Shaw.
Tries: Dewsnip (6), Dowthwaite (9), Porter (12), Brown (21), Roberts (36); Goals: McMullen 3/5
GLANTAF: Dai Wicks, Wil Harrison, Sam Fordham, Harry Davies, Jack Witchell, Harri Rees, Rhys Howard, Rhys Meyers, Griff Roberts, Archie Shackle, Jacob Knox, William Evans, Trystan Nichols. Subs: Seth Robbins, Ralph Jones, Jacob Gill, Deiniol James, Khaleel Hassan.
Tries: Nichols (23); Goals: Witchell 1/1
REFEREE: Tyler Topping.
