Northampton BBOB 12-17 St Neots

On a gloomy morning, Saints were digging out the matchday attire ready for a new year match up with Northampton side BBOB. It had been a long wait for a game for both sides with the Christmas break jumping on the back of 2 weeks of postponements after the big freeze. Saints were enthusiastic about their chances, they had trained with strong numbers in the week and had a strong side. However, naturally some of this enthusiasm was washed away as saints travelled though heavy rain and parked up next to a boggy pitch. Tactical tweaks were put in place by coach Lewis Hall and the Saints took to the field for their first game of 2023.

BBOB received the kick and the game was underway. In the first 10 minutes both teams struggled to maintain consistency in possession. It appeared that the St Neots lads were not the only ones effected by the conditions. After the teams had battled it out for a significant amount of time BBOB were able to get a penalty and kicked to the corner to drive over from 5 meters. Saints were prepared and they lined up ready to counter the driving maul. A few twists and turns were not enough from BBOB and they were forced back. Saints spent most of the half defending inside their 22m line. They consistently battled their way out turning over scums, stealing lineouts and jackaling the ball out of tackles. With 5 minutes to go in the half blindside flanker Pete Sharp did everything he could to stop a defiant BBOB scrum driving over the line but was unfortunately deemed to have released his bind early and was sent to the bin. The referee awarded a penalty try and St Neots were left 7 points down. In the last play of the half a scrum midfield gave the number 8 an opportunity to pick and go. He took off down the blindside and drew the 13. Scrum Half Kieran Rook was there to receive the pass and the backs took over. It was not to be from the promising move however as the covering flanker managed to race across the pitch to make a fantastic tackle in to touch.

After half time Saints refreshed their game plan and were keen to get their own points on the board to relieve the pressure of being behind. BBOB kicked to the corner and although the ball was recovered by fullback Larman the conditions made it hard to control. The resulting scrum saw the saints going backwards again and were careful not to infringe but suffered just 5 point extension on the deficit. Pete Sharp returned to the field looking to make up for lost time and made several piercing runs down the centre of the BBOB defence. Saints won a line out in their opponents 22m and drove well coming close to the line. The ball moved to the midfield and pressure piled on the BBOBs. Fly half Josh Spearing saw the opportunity to release the wide players. He found Bradley McKenna who went slaloming through opposition before finding himself crossing the try line in a good central kicking position for Spearing to convert. The game was close for the next 20, but as cramp and niggles appeared for the Northampton boys the St Neots players grew more hungry for the win. When the opportunity arose and only 5 points behind Spearing took 3 from a penalty. Then it was simple. Any point scoring action wins the game. With the referee announcing 1 minute left on the clock time was not on the side of the visitors. They hadn't got the ball in their possession and BBOB were looking to see the game out with pick and goes. Dingemans to the rescue! The ball popped out from his turnover and Sharp flung it towards the backs. Outside centre Wood found fullback Larman with a 2 on 1 but with 70 meters to go. He gave the ball at the right time and the rest was down to prolific winger Josh Hudson-lett. He stepped inside the fullback and the covering winger was left in his trail as he put St Neots in front at the final play of the game. A try that will sit in the memories of players for seasons to come.