St Helens have defied the pundits and won the World Club Challenge over the Penrith Panthers 13-12.
MATCHDAY RESULTS
SCOREBOARD
Penrith Panthers 12
Tries: Izack Tago (51), Brian To’o (78)
Goals: e.g., Nathan Cleary 3 (23, 32, 40)
St Helens RLFC 13
Tries: Jack Welsby (8), Konrad Hurrell (15)
Goals: Tommy Makinson (9), Mark Percival (43)
Field Goal: Lewis Dodd (82)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty ImagesSt Helens have become the second Super League side to win the World Club Challenge on Australian soil with a gritty golden point win over the Penrith Panthers.
Prior to the game, the NRL put back the clash because of concerns over player safety with conditions set to be in the mid-30’s at the original kick-off time. However, it was cooler temperatures and a severe Sydney storm which would make the first half challenging and resulted in a delay to the second half.
The Saints came hard out of the blocks to score twice within the first fifteen minutes and establish a ten-point lead. Jack Welsby’s try which started deep within their own half was the highlight of the night.
It took 51 minutes and Nathan Cleary’s kick behind the St Helens line for Penrith to post first points through Izack Tago. With 90 seconds to go, Welsby couldn’t diffuse a kick bomb by Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o scored to send the game into golden point.
Crichton, who had a mixed night at fullback had the ball jolted free in golden point which led to Lewis Dodd landing a field goal to hand St Helens their third World Club title.
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