St Neots RUFC 1st XV - Saints Match Report

Still hunting for their first league victory, St Neots travelled to Rushden & Higham on Saturday. The adverse weather conditions had put paid to any ideas of attacking rugby, and the tight match was a product of the torrential rain, freezing temperatures.

The first encounters were cagey as both sides became acclimatised to the conditions, however it was Rushden who picked up the first score after uncharacteristically poor defending in the wider channels. The Saints struck back immediately through a Lewis Hall penalty after some time in the opponents 22.

With several knock-ons, the scrums were an ever-present feature, which St Neots generally dominated, giving them a strong platform from which Jake Bailey and Nick Robinson were sent to reek havoc. As Saints approached the opponents line, a dropped ball was seized upon by Rushden and a long kick and chase brought them a penalty, which gave them a line-out just 5m out. The ball was knocked back on the St Neots side, but Rushden stormed through to dive on the loose ball to claim their second.

Again the response from St Neots was immediate. A long kick-off was poorly gathered, and as a hurried box kick was attempted, Lewis Hall charged the ball down into the path of Jake Bailey who strolled in unopposed. Hall added the extras and Saints were just 2 behind as half-time neared.

The second-half turned into a slug fest, with neither team able to create much beyond the short runners. With the wind to their backs, Rushden applied the use of the kick to keep St Neots pinned in their half, so that when an opportunity arose advantage could be taken. This made the difference, as although St Neots had good periods of possession they were unable to make significant in-roads.

Two second half tries from Rushden proved the difference as the game finished 22-10 to the home side.

With no games next week the Saints will be back on the road playing Stockwood Park on the 9th looking for that first win.