St Albans First Team
Match Reports
SAINTS SHELFORD-SHOCKED!Saturday 8th October 2005
Shelford 44 - St. Albans 3
Saints first XV travelled to play Shelford first XV for the first time ever knowing that the Cambridgeshire side had history,form,home advantage and considerable local logistics in their favour.Founded in 1933,Shelford have impressive premises and facilities ,are multiple County Cup winners and finalists over the years and have the experience of several recent up and down seasons in Powergen London North 2.In prospect then a tough journey into the unknown for the young St.Albans club founded only in 1970.
cheats for disney toontownBefore the kick-off ,two minutes silence was observed in memory of a past President of Shelford RFC,Morgan Watts,who died recently at the age of 91.
Conditions were good with firm going ,a moderate SE wind blowing down the diagonal of the pitch and a touchline temperature of 16C.
The match was witnessed by a good-natured crowd of around 200 people many in the packed grandstand,150 of whom had enjoyed a VP's lunch beforehand .
Saints kicked off into the wind and were soon penalised for offside.Shelford kicked play down to Saints 22 but then knocked on.Shelford took the ensuing scrum against the head,spun the ball down their backline for a converted try after only 3 minutes.
The next 10 minutes saw both sides sounding each other out with both making plenty of mistakes.By 13 minutes ,Saint's forwards had clawed their way to Shelford's 22 and were awarded a penalty converted by Ed Coy. Shelford 7 Saints 3.
Shelford's indiscipline and mistakes kept Saints in the game but eventually Saints were driven back to their 5 metre line where on 26 minutes they conceded a penalty .From a quick tap Shelford scored an unconverted try. Shelford 12 Saints 3.
Not to be outdone ,the visitors drove upfield and pressurised Shelford's line for 5 minutes before giving away a penalty thus coming away empty-handed.
On 34 minutes Saints centre Gareth Lane damaged knee ligaments in an enterprising attack and was replaced by scrum half Gareth Day.
Saints re-organised ,continued to compete and defend well but were beginning to struggle, more in the backs than the forwards, as ferocious tackles went in all round. A physical match was indeed developing.
Half time Shelford 12 Saints 3.
On 42 minutes ,Shelford broke out in midfield and used all their backline for their fullback to score an unconverted try in the corner.Shelford 17 Saints 3.
On 49 minutes ,Shelford's No 8 blasted through weak Saints midfield defence to set up a converted try near the posts.Shelford 24 Saints 3.
The Hertfordshire side refused to lie down and now had their best period of the game.They drove downfield and camped on Shelford's line for the next 10 minutes forcing a series of 5 metre scrums.For pulling down a maul ,Shelford's No 3 prop was yellow carded for 10 minutes.The war of attrition continued up front with Saints unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try for repeated Shelford infringements.Finally, Saints were harshly penalised for apparently collapsing the scrum and went back with nothing to show!
On 71 minutes ,Saints flanker David Callan received a gash to the head, was taken off and subsequently went to hospital.He was replaced by flanker Richard Louw.
On 72 minutes Saints conceded a penalty on their 22 converted by Shelford. Shelford 27 Saints 3.
Magnificent Saints defence now saved two certain tries before the floodgates opened.Shelford ran in a converted try on 77 minutes and 2 more unconverted tries on 81 and 83 minutes.
Final score Shelford 44 St.Albans 3.
Saints had been beaten fair and square by a powerful,well organised and highly resourced Shelford outfit.In the backs ,Shelford had more than enough power and pace in attack and defence with their southern hemisphere players and fullback being the big difference especially as the game wore on.
In the tight ,both sides at times had the upper hand but overall Shelford had the edge both in attack and defence.In the lineouts honours were even .
One new positive for Saints was the performance on his debut of young South African hooker Lemere Brenton whose series of powerful bullocking runs,especially in the second half showed courage and character in the face of adversity.He will go far!
Saints coach Tim Andrews was determined and unbowed as he rallied his troops after the match. Characteristically he praised them for sticking together in the face of adversity and urged them to learn from the experience. There were positives like no yellow cards and a new building pack ,yet to gel, and it will get better!
Saints Man of the Week was Coach Tim Andrews (picture) who delivered the best result of the week, a second son Alexander James Andrews by his wife Phillipa nee Dickinson - now there's a match!.
With universal acclaim by the St.Albans Club,their future assured, the newborn will attend training next week both Tuesdays and Thursdays with his proud father.
Selling dummies?
St.Alban's only score was a penalty by Ed Coy.
St.Albans Team. D.Batchelor, L.Brenton, T.Giddins, D.Hillier(captain), D.Onyuma, D.Callan, J.Sayers, O.Cooper-Millar, C.Gunnell, M.Alderton, E.Coy, G.Lane, M.Shaw, P.James, J.Dickinson, R.Louw, B.Green, G.Day.
Referee. Mr Robin Oliver of the Hertfordshire Referees Society.
Next Saturday Saints travel to Essex to play Campion in the second round of the Intermediate Cup.
Match reporter.David Gilroy