The Steven Mullaney Memorial Game proved a fitting curtain-raiser to the main event with a hard-fought contest between these two North West schools.
Wade Deacon won the battle but had to come back from a early deficit to claim victory.
Harry Robertson deservedly carried off the Chev Walker Man of the Match award with a superb hat-trick allied to some sterling defensive work for the Widnes side.
The strong running Robertson had been outstanding all season and indeed it was a fine solo effort in the semi-finals which secured a Wembley appearance for his team.
But victory seemed far from assured in the opening exchanges which saw St John Fisher race into a 10-0 lead. It took them just two minutes to open the scoring when, following a knock on, they were gifted a good attacking position. Malachi Leo-Price had already tested the Wade Deacon defence with a strong run but this time he proved unstoppable as he forced his way over the line.
Five minutes later they went further ahead when a kick on the sixth tackle bounced off a defender and was snapped up by Isaac Wheatley, who side-stepped the full-back and went over by the posts. Corey Roden made it 10-0 with the conversion and things weren’t looking good for their opponents.
He was always scoring that one 👊🉠pic.twitter.com/RoNUBWgUXe
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) August 25, 2018
However, Robertson had already shown his prowess with a strong run earlier in the game and when St John Fisher knocked on deep in their own half they were made to pay for the error.
Robertson drove the ball at the heart of the St John Fisher defence before prop Joey Owens showed tremendous strength and determination to force his way over from short range.
Just before half-time the Widnes outfit were on level terms when St John Fisher were penalised for a high tackle. Once again, they were made to pay dearly for their error as a well-rehearsed move from a play-the ball near the line saw Robertson race through to score. Reily O'Brien converted to make it 10-10 at the break.
HALF-TIME
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) August 25, 2018
All to play for in the second half here at Wembley! pic.twitter.com/gfPf0F3wFj
Robertston struck again two minutes into the second half after the Wigan side had given away a penalty. Receiving the ball near the right hand touchline he set off on a mazy run across the field, avoiding tacklers before crashing over by the corner flag.
St John Fisher worked hard to get back into the game but despite their opponents coughing up possession several times, they weren’t able to take advantage thanks to some solid defending. Robertson showed he could defend as well as attack by putting in some timely tackles and inevitably it was he who settled the contest with his third try following another powerful run from a scrum.
Job done ✅
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) August 25, 2018
🗣 Post-match reaction from two of this afternoon’s victorious Wade Deacon side 👇 pic.twitter.com/tAGLVEyOC7
- St John Fisher:
- John Tierney; Hayden Foubister, Oliver Wright, George O'Loughlin, Zoro Tshunza; Issac Wheatley, Mason Fillingham; Elton Paplekaj, Corey Roden, Malachi Leo Price; Luis Houghton, Taylor Kerr; Luis Rutter.
- Subs: Tom Hill, Malaki Cullen, Freddie Winnard, Jake Hare, Reece Lowe.
- Tries: Leo-Price, Wheatley.
- Goal: Roden
- Wade Deacon:
- Harry Robertson; Bobby Graham, Thomas Jack, Charlie Feeley, Matthew Mullarkey; Bobby Finch, Lewis George; Jake Berry, Joey Owens, Sam Gallagher; Jacob Harris, Joel Sumner; Sam Fitzsimmon.
- Subs: Riley O’Brien, Eamon Slavin, Jake Berry, Logan Gibson, Elliot Dale.
- Tries: Robertson (3), Owens.
- Goal: O'Brien
Player of the Match: Harry Robertson