St Albans First Team
Match Reports
SAINTS GO DOWN FIGHTING! Saturday 3rd of September 2005
Twickenham RFC 27 St Albans RFC 18.
Saints made Club history as their first XV travelled to Twickenham RFC to play their first match ever in Powergen London North 2 ,the highest league in their 35 year history. Twickenham with a history back to 1867, home advantage & being regular incumbents in this League , hosted the Hertfordshire newcomers whose Club was only founded in 1970.
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With a touchline temperature of 26C,a light easterly wind blowing down the length of a rock hard pitch,Saints kicked off with the wind behind them.In less than 2 minutes Saints were awarded a penalty for an infringement by T,the first of many in the match by both sides.This was converted by new signing John Andrews for Saints to take a 3-0 lead.
On 12 minutes T's snapped up a spilled ball in midfield,spun it down their backline for a converted try. Saints retaliated on 16 minutes with an excellent breakout by James Dickinson (picture) who ran half the field to draw T's last two defenders & feed John Andrews for an unconverted try in the corner.
On 19 minutes T's kicked a penalty in front of Saint's posts after another Saints infringement. T 10 Saints 8.On 26 minutes ,another breakout by Saints ,an enterprising kick & chase by another new signing Gareth Lane resulted in his touch down wide out.T 10 Saints 13.On 30 minutes it was all square at 13 all when T's dropped a goal.
The turning point in the game came on 33 minutes after a general warning to both sides by the referee about infringements.Second row John Sayers was adjudged offside at a ruck & was yellow carded for ten minutes.
T's capitalised on the stroke of half time finding a gap behind a Saints ruck as the ball squirted out ,to land a converted try under the posts.
Half time score T 20 Saints 13.
3 minutes into the second half with Saints still down to 14 men ,T's struck again as their backs found another hole in the Saints defence for another converted try. T 27 Saints 13.
Restored to 15 men ,Saints started to press but new flanker Richard Louw then received a yellow card for punching at a ruck.Saints could easily have capitulated but dug in to survive the next 10 minutes with 14 men with no further scoring.
On 74 minutes,Saints showed immense character as they broke into midfield with a long storming run by winger Ed Coy who eventually slipped the ball to John Sayers,today playing at second row instead of No 8,who carried 3 opponents with him over the line to score an unconverted try.
There was no further scoring & the clock ticked down to no side in a flurry of water & injury breaks on a very hot afternoon.
Final score Twickenham 27 Saints 18.
Overall, Saints will be encouraged by some aspects of their performance against a fit,well drilled & coached Twickenham outfit with years of experience at this level.Saints makeshift pack had done well in the set pieces & the backs again showed innovation & flair in attack.They will however rue their lack of discipline,performance at rucktime & in defence but know they can & will improve.The standard has now been set & the fixtures for the rest of season will be as hard,if not harder.There are no soft touches here in Powergen London North 2!
Saints coach Tim Andrews was pragmatic in defeat drawing positives from the scrum & lineout of a somewhat under-strength ,rejigged pack on the day.Ball in hand was generally good & there were no areas that could not be corrected with the new look squad he is still actively developing.All will be looked at & dealt with on the training paddock every Tuesday & Thursday .
Saints Man of the Match was new young Welsh signing Gareth Lane playing at centre,for his all round performance & attacking flair that brought his first League try for his new Club-the first of many this season we foresee.
St. Albans try scorers were John Andrews,Gareth Lane & John Sayers.
John Andrews also kicked one penalty.
St.Albans Team. D.Batchelor,A.Harris,T.Giddins,J.Sayers,M.Davies,R.Louw,D.Callum, D.Stanford,C.Russell,M.Alderton(captain),J.Dickinson,G.Lane,J.Shaw,E.Coy, J.Andrews,N.Homan,O Cooper-Millar,P.Henderson.
Referee.Mr Paul Saunders of the London Referees Society.