The Community View: Matty Lees’ Testimonial
On Saturday 24th January 2026 we hosted Castleford Tigers in Matty Lees’ Testimonial at the BrewDog Stadium. See what the SCDF got up to during gameday…
SCDF Point of View
@communitysaints 📺 The Community View: Matty Lees’ Testimonial 👀 Have a look at what we got up to during @saints1890’s clash with Castleford Tigers on Saturday at the @brewdogstadium ♬ original sound – Saints Community
Outside the Stadium
It was a quieter afternoon outside the ground on Saturday. Some of our A Star Angels headed around for a Q&A with fans before heading into the ground.
@sthelensangels Matty Lees’ Testimonial Match Day Quiz ❤️ @St.Helens R.F.C @Saints Community @Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC @Betfred Super League #mattyleestestimonial #mattylees #rugbyleague #saintsrlfc#CapCut ♬ original sound – sthelensangels
Boots also headed outside to meet some of the fans before kick off. He was wearing his brand new 2026 home kit for the game. It was the first time that our mascot has worn the new kit.
Inside the Stadium
Our Fanzone was located inside the ground for this game, inside the South Stand. The Passing Wall was setup for fans to get involved with trying to get the ball through the hole to win prizes, with the money made going towards Matty Lees’ Testimonial.
Our brand new programme ‘Behind the RedVee’ also took place for the first time at the weekend. The programme allows fans the chance to witness a behind the scenes experience on a gameday.
@communitysaintsBehind the Red Vee!🔻 Take a look at our first ‘Behind the Red Vee’ experience at Matty Lees’ Testimonial Game vs Castlesford The experience contains: – Saints Rugby Ball & Bottle included for players and manager to sign – Meet the players as they arrive at the BrewDog Stadium – Meet Paul Rowley – Do the Coin Toss for the captains – Free food voucher from our kiosks – Pitchside experience as the players warm up – Tunnel Experience as the player run out for kick off To get involved contact: [email protected] #saintsandproud♬ original sound – Saints Community
Our A Star Saints Angels then performed in the middle of the pitch at the BrewDog Stadium prior to the game kicking off.
Children from local Community Clubs then brought out the club crest onto the pitch to wave it. With the A Star Angels also involved with the Guard of Honour for Lees as he made his way out onto the pitch.
During Half-time
At Half-Time, we had clubs from within our Community and also some from Rochdale join us for games across the pitch at the BrewDog Stadium.
Lots of our Cheer teams then also assembled to perform a group dance in the middle of the pitch, facing the West Stand.
Match Report
Saints raced into a 16-0 lead at the BrewDog Stadium. Tries from Nene Macdonald, Harry Robertson and Deon Cross, with two converted by Jackson Hastings. Mikaele Ravalawa replied for Castleford with a try before the break, Tom Weaver converting to make it 16-6 at half-time.
A Shane Wright brace increased Saints’ lead, before Ravalawa added a second for the Tigers. Late four-pointers from Lewis Murphy and Tristan Sailor sealed the Red V win, with Hastings, Sailor and George Whitby all adding a conversion to seal a 40-10 victory for the Red V in Matty Lees’ Testimonial.
You can read the report in full online here.
Up Next
The second game of the 2026 Betfred Super League season is next up at home for Paul Rowley’s Saints. The Red V host Leigh Leopards at the BrewDog Stadium on Friday 20th February, with kick off set for 8pm. You can purchase tickets for that fixture online here.
Prior to that game, Saints travel to face Workington Town in the Challenge Cup on Friday 6th February. The following week, Saints kick off their Betfred Super League campaign with a trip to face Warrington Wolves. You can purchase tickets for either of those games online here.
