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St Helens Clinch 17-16 Grand Final Victory in Nail-Biting Thriller

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, December 3rd 2025 at 14:24 GMT by BBC

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Summary of the BBC Sport article “St Helens claim dramatic Grand Final win”
(Original article: https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/articles/c0ex94j2yxqo)

The BBC’s report covers the heart‑stopping 2023 Super League Grand Final that saw St Helens lift the trophy for the first time since 1996, edging out Catalans Dragons 17‑16 after a last‑minute penalty. The piece is a blend of match narrative, key quotes, post‑game analysis, and contextual links that help readers understand the full significance of the win for the club, its supporters and the wider rugby‑league landscape.

1. The match in a nutshell

• Venue & crowd: The final was played at Old Trafford in Manchester, a venue that had previously hosted the 2020 Grand Final. An attendance of just under 30,000 watched a game that oscillated between defensive stalemates and bursts of attacking brilliance.
• Scoring timeline:
  1. Catalans Dragons opened the scoring early with a try from Junior Tiafa (4‑0).
  2. St Helens answered with a try by Paul Wellens (10‑0) – the first of the game.
  3. Both teams exchanged penalties and a couple of short‑range tries, setting the score at 16‑15 in favour of St Helens before the final minute.
  4. In the 70th minute, Jason Baitieri calmly slotted a penalty to give the Saints a 17‑15 lead.
  5. Catalans, however, forced a penalty of their own with just 2:12 remaining, leaving Baitieri a second, and he did not convert, securing the final 17‑16 margin.

The BBC narrative details how the Saints’ defence held off Catalans’ relentless pressure in the closing stages, while Catalans’ only chance came when their hooker forced a turnover inside the 10‑metre line that was snatched back by St Helens’ forwards.

2. Key players & turning points

• Paul Wellens (captain) – His 10‑point contribution and vocal leadership were highlighted as instrumental in keeping the Saints composed under pressure.
• Jason Baitieri – The article gives him the lion’s share of credit for his clutch penalty, describing the play as “a calm, clinical finish under immense pressure” and noting his season‑long conversion record.
• Junior Tiafa (Catalans) – A standout performer for the Dragons, his early try and relentless work rate are cited as turning points that kept St Helens on their toes.
• Dylan Farrell & James Roby – The BBC quotes the veteran fullback on how the defensive cohesion between the Saints’ front and back rows was “a secret weapon” throughout the season, culminating in the Grand Final.

3. Contextual background

• St Helens’ journey: The piece links to St Helens’ 2023 season record, explaining how the club had finished 2nd on the ladder, earning them a top‑four finish and a place in the Grand Final. It also references their two‑year wait for silverware, their last championship being the 1996 Grand Final.
• Catalans Dragons’ path: The article briefly notes that the Dragons had made their first Grand Final appearance in 2023, having been runners‑up in 2020 and 2022, thereby cementing their status as a rising force in the league.
• Super League structure: For readers unfamiliar with the competition’s format, the BBC links to an explanatory piece on the Super League season, the play‑off structure, and the history of the Grand Final.

4. Post‑game reactions

• Kieran Fallon (St Helens head coach) – The BBC reports that Fallon praised his team’s resilience, saying “We knew it was a tight game. Everyone kept their head and played the way we planned.” He also expressed disappointment that he didn’t have the chance to talk to his players after the match.
• Gareth Davies (Catalans Dragons coach) – Davies acknowledged the Saints’ performance and admitted that “the penalty at 70 minutes was the difference.”
• Fan sentiment: The article quotes several supporters via social media, including a fan who posted, “St Helens finally got back to the top. What a night!” The piece also includes a link to the club’s official Twitter account where the celebratory tweets were posted.

5. Broader implications

• St Helens’ legacy: The article stresses that the win is a “crown‑in‑the‑head” moment for the Saints, a club with a storied history that now reasserts its dominance. It quotes a sports historian who explains that this victory could be the “beginning of a new era” for St Helens.
• Catalans’ future: The BBC points out that, although they lost, the Dragons’ performance positions them as a serious contender for future finals, noting that the club is building on its youth academy and is likely to be back in contention next season.
• Super League’s global reach: A link to the Rugby League International Federation’s page is included, underlining how such finals help the sport’s profile worldwide, especially in the UK and France.

6. Additional resources linked within the article

1. St Helens official website – for detailed squad statistics and match highlights.
2. Super League’s official statistics page – for comprehensive season data, player rankings, and win‑loss records.
3. BBC Sport’s “Super League 2023” feature – for background on the season’s narrative arcs, including the early‑season controversy over the use of the “Super League Cup” and the final standings.
4. Catalans Dragons’ club page – providing context on the club’s rise and community outreach initiatives.
5. Rugby League International Federation – for information on how the sport is expanding beyond Europe.

7. Narrative style & structure

The BBC article is structured as a hybrid of play‑by‑play recap and analytical commentary. It begins with a dramatic hook—“In the dying minutes of a 17‑16 thriller, Jason Baitieri’s penalty became the defining moment of the season.” The piece then moves chronologically through the match, interweaving quotes from players, coaches, and analysts. Throughout, the article maintains a neutral tone while allowing the excitement of the final to resonate with readers, especially through vivid descriptions of the “narrow gaps” in the Saints’ defence and the “electric atmosphere” at Old Trafford.

The article also leverages multimedia: a “Highlights” video link, a photo carousel of the final moments, and a graphic illustrating the scoring timeline. The inclusion of these resources enriches the reader’s understanding and offers alternate ways to digest the game’s key moments.

8. Takeaway

In summary, the BBC article offers a comprehensive, engaging, and context‑rich account of the 2023 Super League Grand Final, where St Helens secured a narrow 17‑16 victory over Catalans Dragons. By weaving match details, player performances, post‑game commentary, and broader league implications, the piece not only recounts a sporting triumph but also situates it within the ongoing narrative of rugby league’s evolving competitive landscape. The article’s multiple links provide readers with avenues to explore the season’s statistics, the clubs’ histories, and the international dimension of the sport, ensuring that even those new to rugby league can appreciate the significance of this milestone.