Saints 9 v 6 Bedford Queens RFC

Saints earn hard fought first win away at Queens.

St Neots Saints finally got their first win of the campaign on Saturday after a dogged performance in deteriorating conditions away from home. Saints started the game brightly, dominating territory and possession with slick handling and intelligent running lines. Failing to capitalise on the increasing pressure in the opening 15 minutes, a lapse in concentration at the breakdown allowed Queens to kick a penalty from 40 metres out, to put the first points on the scoreboard. Queens 3-0 Saints

Normal play resumed with Saints firing on all cylinders, looking for wide lines outside stand in fly-half Stuart Whitelaw and getting the ball into the wider channels to feed George Osborne and Rory Dingemans. An intelligent kick from Lewis Hall set Osborne free, unfortunately the young flyer pulled up with a hamstring injury, with only grass between the try-line. More loose discipline cost Saints 60 metres and ultimately another kick at goal for Queens to double the score. Queens 6-0 Saints.

That lead lasted for all of a minute when more great work at the breakdown and excellent ball retention skills from the likes of Adam Hayward and Jordan Rook saw Queens let slip. Lewis Hall added the penalty to make it 6-3 at the break.

Conditions worsened across the half time break and the rain set in. Greasy conditions made for a less attractive brand of rugby, but Saints still persevered with running at the wider channels. Ross Hubbard, Aiden Jordan and Stuart Miller all made important yards and worked up the field and caused problems for Queens and their lack of discipline saw a high tackle penalised and the Queens no.5 take a forced 10 minute breather at the request of the referee. Lewis Hall kicked his second successful penalty of the day. Queens 6-6 Saints.

Capitalising on the numerical advantage, with Tom Beech coming into the attacking line, Saints got to work again. Callum Austen started to exert some serious pressure on his opposite number and made countless half-breaks to gather momentum for the Saints. Another high tackle from Queens allowed Hall to make it 6-9 and 3/4 for the day.

Strong defence followed for the final 10 minutes with Queens back to their full complement. Jack Hayward and Rhod Howcroft were introduced to bring some much needed brightness back to the Saints side. Finishing on the front foot, Saints failed to capitalise on further territory largely due to the conditions. As the final whistle rattled around the park, we caught up with skipper Ross Hubbard...

“It's great to finally be off the mark with the first win, which has been building since our cup success away at Stoke Old Boys a few weeks back. The conditions didn't allow us to play the same rugby we played last week against the (Northampton) Casuals, however we stuck to the task and come away with a much need boost that the work being put in is having an impact”

The Saints are back in action this weekend at home to Rushden & Higham who sit 1 place above them in the standings.

Man of the match: Jordan Rook