St Peters, with an impressive display of expansive Rugby League and relentless support play (and with 20 players, compared to their opponents’ 17), steamrollered their way to victory against a gallant Deanery side that, despite the efforts of such as hooker Zac and centre Cooper, struggled to contain their Wigan rivals.
The victors totalled seven tries with full-back Blake (the official player of the match) and centre Oliver, who was also a strong contender, bagging a brace apiece.
Stand-off Harry M, who was another thorn in Deanery’s side, contributed a try and five goals, including a couple of conversions from wide out.
In lifting the prestigious trophy - on the 40th anniversary of Steven Mullaney’s epic performance for Wakefield Schools in the 1986 curtain-raiser against St Helens Schools, the youngster sadly losing his life the following year in a motor accident - St Peter’s set the scene for a day of Wigan dominance.
Given that both schools are based in the borough it was inevitable that the Steven Mullaney Trophy would be taken to Wigan while the Women’s and Men’s teams duly followed suit, both emphatically.
Another feature of the game was that Jack Twigg - the son of Steven Mullaney’s sister Lauren - was the referee. Twigg, who is on Huddersfield Giants’ books, inevitably brought a player’s mentality to his officiating and allowed the game to flow.
He awarded only three penalties; two to Deanery and one to Peter’s, including in the first minute for ripping out.
That set the territory for Oliver to finish off approach work by Harry S and Harry M.
On nine minutes Oliver crossed again, this time courtesy of a 50-metre solo run.
Baggaley emulated Oliver long-range effort some four minutes later, down the right on this occasion. And a solo score by Harry M, notched after his audacious dummy and a 40-yard sprint, secured a 22-0 interval lead.
The second period started badly for Deanery, Peter’s loose forward Louis collecting the ball at the kick-off and Archie duly crashing in at the corner.
Cooper, after charging through in response, saw his subsequent pass intercepted by Cian, Blake completing that set with another long-range score. And, after Olly K had gone close with a blistering attack and Deanery winger Caleb had been bundled into touch by Oliver and Cian, Lenny and Harry M combined to send Alfie over out wide, Harry M closing the contest with a superb touchline conversion.
Half-time: St Peter’s 22 Deanery 0
Full-time: St Peter’s 38 Deanery 0
Referee: Jack Twigg
By Phil Hodgson and League Express
