Men's Own 7 - 29 St Neots

After a positive week in training, the Saints were excited to travel away to play Northampton Men's Own. They have finally seen players returning from injury and were ready to start showing the league what they are capable of.

Men's Own kicked off and the St Neots XV began their structured play with precision. Moving the ball quickly, they stretched and tired the Men's Own defenders, making a break through blindside Lewis Medlow. Saints continued to apply the pressure and worked their way down the field through penalties. They found themselves on the 5m line and a quick tap from scrum half Jack Webb came up just short.

Saints stole the ball back from a miscommunication by MO and the backs looked to make the most of the quick turn of possession. Progressing back into the opposition half. A handling error led to a scrum but Medlow managed to somehow peel from the back row and intercept the ball. Further forward carries put St Neots just meters out and Saints dependable Ross Hubbard forced his way over for the first score.

From the restart, Men's Own found touch directly and the Saints captain opted for the scrum. They began to play their phases and an opportunity for a chip arose. Fly half Dingermans tried to place it into the wingers' hands but it led to a MO lineout. The 10 was put under pressure and got caught in the Saints forwards. Trying to buy time for his teammates, he took one too many rolls and gave a penalty away. Dingermans put the ball in the corner and the Saints looked to catch and drive. Just short, Men's Own regained possession and kicked to safety.

After a battle between the two teams led to a St Neots scrum around half way, the backs looked to play out wide. A break made on the wing put Northampton MO on the back foot and a powerful carry from Aiden Jordan drew in enough players for the space to open on the other wing. Dean Terreblanche received the ball and sped in for the second try.

From the kick off, Saints looked to try and sink back into their structure but handling errors meant they were put deep into their 22. Solid maul defense stopped MO from getting their lineout catch and drive. They looked to play into their backs but were turned over at the break down. No release from the opposition and a quick tap put St Neots back in charge. Hooker Luke Nolan crashed up in the wide channel, Dingermans knocked down his opposite man and put fullback James Larman in for try number 3.

From the restart, the ball left the field again, but this time with a bounce. From the line out, the Saints went crashing up the middle but switched the play back to Ross Hubbard galloping down the wing. Men's Own gave away a penalty and St Neots got a second attempt at their catch and drive. This time upping the pace and offering Chris Routley a short line. Nobody was capable of stopping him from 5 meters out and the bonus point try was achieved in just half an hour.

From the kick off, Keiran Arber caught and charged up the pitch. He looked to be too quick for his support as he was blown up for holding on. MO kicked to touch and a trick play from the lineout popped the ball to the hooker. The temptation was too much for Captain Aiden Jordan who was sent for a 10 minute rest after a late hit.

Inspired in the latter stages of the half, Men's Own carried hard and their eventual Man of the Match crashed over for their first try of the game.

Half Time Northampton Men's Own 7 - 22 Saint Neots

Saints started the half this time and Men's Own were keen to keep their hard carries going with a man advantage for another 5 minutes. They broke the line but winger Terreblanche chopped the forward with textbook technique. MO went again but this time the opposite winger, Aedan Pearsall, threw himself into the spokes bravely and the ball was turned over.

Back to a full 15 Saints kicked for territory but and inspired Northampton found themselves quickly back in the St Neots half. They made little ground in their forward carries but drew in enough players to pass their way around the backs and score on the outside.

Saints were keen to switch the momentum and brought in fresh legs. They carried well but it was a battle of possession and territory for a long period. Dingermans helped provide a front foot by finding a 50-22 and after Northampton tried to clear their lines, he crashed up and allowed center Peppler-Jones to draw the last man. Putting in winger Pearsall in for St Neots' fifth try.

Men's Own try to put in one last push for a third with minutes to go but we're met by a wall of blue who saw out the game and earned a key 5 points.

Saints play at home to Beford Queens next week where they will look to build on a positive performance.