St Albans IVs Continue Winning 8th October 2005

St. Albans IV's 10 - 7 Hendon 2 XV


Amidst selectoral confusion that saw the fourth team potentially down to 10 men, St Albans IVs  played Hendon IIs  in their first game for 4 years, coming away victors 10 points to 7.

Hendon had not fielded a second side for a number of years. Determined now to rebuild their club Hendon advertised for players and rewarded with more than enough. Keen to play their first game at home, St Albans IVs agreed the fixture not knowing what to expect. What happened was a first half that left lungs fit to burst in an almost frantic running game.

St Albans were without recognised forwards in a number of positions, particularly the front row. Backs filled the slots and coped admirably. The interplay of the St Albans players was a little questionable in the first half, but many were still introducing themselves. Some had not even seen a John Martin dummy before - they were treated to one! Playing at fly half John made as if to go open off the back of a scrum. Maybe it's the sign of a new-formed team, but pretty much all of Hendon bought the dummy.

The St Albans defence was remarkably solid but unfamiliarity of roles showed when strong direct Hendon running burst through to score.

The second half saw much more control from St Albans. Both sides were tiring but St Albans were always the stronger. Rucks and mauls were working more and more as the St Albans players started playing more as a co-ordinated team. Discussions afterwards had the agreement that if St Albans played with the energy and commitment of the first half and the team co-ordination of the second half the scores would have been very regular.

As it was there were two tries for St Albans, first from Matt Porter and then from Sean Flanagan. Both were backs tries based on clean possession delivered by the forwards at the breakdown. But with a lead of 10-7 St Albans had to defend against repeated Hendon driving attack. The defence held and the forwards sighed with relief as the monster boot of Fergus Bailey sent the ball deep, pinning Hendon back into the corners. The tactic of forcing Hendon to run the ball from deep worked as the St Albans tackles poured in, and the final whistle came to leave St Albans the victors.

Fergus Bailey, Sean Flanagan,  Vince, Phil Coats, John Martin, Graham Perrin, Grant Downes, James Gurney ©, Ian Wearmouth, Roger Kondrat, Matt Porter, Steve Fisher, Doug Percy.

T: Matt Porter, Sean Flanagan
Match Report, James Gurney

 

The IVs open the season with a win 24th September 2005

St. Albans IV's 32 - 22 Hatfield first XV

St Albans IVs won their first game of the season 32-22 against Hatfield first team.  After faltering attempts to get a fourth team out over the last few years the side took to the field facing on paper a mis-match. The squad was strengthened by some normally second team players whose game against Tabard was cancelled. The result was a well contested game.

The opening score went to Hatfield, with an unconverted try finishing off a forwards dominated drive down field.  This sparked St Albans into life and almost immediately they were down the other end of the field contesting a scrum, after a clever probing kick by fly half Simon Andrews had completely opened up the Hatfield defence. In the words of the old cliché, forwards win matches and the backs decide by how much. It seemed to be going that way with St Albans forwards, after initial shakiness undoubtedly caused by a lack of familiarity with each other, provided good clean ball from the set piece. Simon Andrews was able to force his way over twice for tries which he converted himself.

Hatfield responded late in the first half with a speculative high ball which they were able to collect and run in for a relatively soft if well taken try, again unconverted. The Hatfield kicker must have left his kicking boots at home, as a second bit of St Albans indiscipline was penalised, this time in normally easy kicking territory. A miss let St Albans off the hook and responding with a try by Dan Edwards St Albans had a lead at half time of 19-10.

The second half was a close fought forwards dominated battle, with St Albans looking to release their backs. A penalty was awarded to St Albans in almost exactly the same spot as Hatfield in the first half. Andrews slotted the points to pull St Albans away. Hatfield brought themselves back into contention with another try, and nerves were a little tense until St Albans sealed the game with a try in the right corner by Marcus and one in the right cornet by Tom Grover in his first game back after suffering a cut to the side of his head.

Hatfield did not lay down and die at all. The forwards fought their way up field and were camped on the St Albans line. Despite solid tackling the forced their way over. It was not enough though and St Albans IVs won the match 32-22.

Team
15 Pete Christian 14 Derry Shaw 13 Graham Perrin 12 Dan Edwards 11 Tom Grover 10 Simon Andrews 9 Andrew Still 1 Barrie Sands 2 Marcus 3 Patrick Tuin 4 Bobby Westwood 5 Gary 6 James Gurney (c) 7 Craig Huddleston 8 Neil Cater

Subs
Jez Ellis, Hayden Robbins, Ian Peel, Gus

Ref: Brian Green

Scorers
Tries: Simon Andrews (2), Dan Edwards, Marcus, Tom Grover
Convs: Simon Andrews (2)
Pens: Simon Andrews

Writen by James Gurney