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'Really strong mindset' - Saints youngsters secure fine victory in league opener Saints Under-18s opened their Defender Next Gen Academy League season with a convincing 50-39 victory over Gloucester at Moulton College last Friday. A first-half brace from Finn Westley, as well as tries from Fin Shields and Charlie King, saw Saints take a narrow 31-29 lead into the break. Three more tries in the second period, including another two from Westley and one from Shields, as well as one from Howie Barnett-Vincent, saw Saints take home the victory. Reflecting on the result, Saints Under-18s head coach Charlie Reed said: “I thought the boys worked tremendously hard in really tough conditions. “It took a really strong mindset from the boys to keep going, they wanted to play how we train week in week out, and so overall, really happy.” Saints Under-17s were in action after the Under-18s, and the black, green and gold youngsters made it double delight against Gloucester. The Under-17s were convincing 47-17 winners in the friendly fixture. Saints Under-18s: 15. Alfie Tedbury; 14. Malachy Renihan, 13. Charlie King, 12. Fin Shields, 11. Finn Westley; 10. Milo Innes, 9. George Grewcock; 1. Toby Seaman, 2. James Slater, 3. Ben Jones; 4. Archie McHarg, 5. Callum McBride; 6. Seb Dare (c), 7. George Simmonds, 8. Harry Nath. Replacements: 16. Charlie Utting, 17. Oliver Surley, 18. Rupert Kiy, 19. James Peasley, 20. Howie Barnett-Vincent, 21. Fred Oliver, 22. Kai Manson, 23. Ollie Jones. Saints Under-17s: 15. Henry Bailey; 14. Archie Doe, 13. George Thomas, 12. Felix Jacobs, 11. Desola Arimiyao; 10. Oscar Black, 9. Dominic Ateba; 1. Ugo Ibeanusi, 2. Harry White, 3. Tommy Tydeman-Gayle, 4. Archie Falkingham (C), 5. Toby Wileman, 6. Max Eyles, 7. Harry Batts, 8. Api Delai. Replacements: 16. Roberto Rinon, 17. Laurie Markham, 18. Joshua Swerling, 19. Berty Parry, 20. Alfie Butler, 21. Dan Tilston, 22. Marley Lodder, 23. Otto Castle, 24. Will Orchard, 25. Elliot Allen.