THATTO Heath Crusaders have added to a glorious period of sport for St Helens by winning amateur rugby league's National Conference Grand Final.

Heath defeated Cumbrians Wath Brow Hornets 18-10 after a commanding display at Featherstone.

It is the third time in the club's history they have been crowned national champions of the amateur game.

Congratulations have been pouring in for the squad from people in St Helens and across the wider rugby league community.

Thatto led 12-0 at the break thanks to tries from the outstanding Jamie Tracey, who crashed over from close range, and Ryan Houghton who pounced on an attempted drop goal by Lewis Fairhurst.

Fairhurst had added both conversions.

Wath Brow brought the score back to 12-4 following the interval thanks to aΒ Peter Caddy try.

But an outstanding break by Fairhurst laid the platform for Tracey to power through the defence wide out for his second to take the lead to 16-4.

A Fairhurst penalty widened the gap to 18-4 and although the Cumbrians countered with a sweeping move that culminated in Danny Burns crossing beneath the posts, Heath never looked in danger.

Their victory sparked huge celebrations for the St Helens team, who like the rest of the amateur game, have encountered a demanding 18 months in the face of the pandemic.

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