AS Liverpool St Helens triumphantly travelled back under the Mersey Tunnel having beaten New Brighton (24-12) for the first time in a number of seasons, 18-year-old utility back John Pape returned with a prominent souvenir for his afternoon’s exertions.
A stray punch, for which the apparent miscreant was duly red-carded by the referee, left a sizeable lump on the Sale Shark’s youngster’s cheek. Pape is a local lad from Rainford and on a good day and with a following wind can kick a ball from his back garden onto the Moss Lane pitch.
A Sale Academy scholar, he was making his full debut for the Moss Laners and was none the worse for his baptism.
Director of rugby Martin Jones was relieved to get off the mark in North One West and was particularly pleased with the composure shown by his team. “This was a hard game” he said. “And, as well as dominating in all aspects of the game, we maintained our discipline throughout.”
Liverpool St Helens entertain Northwich on Saturday.
