St Neots RUFC 1st XV Saints – Match Report – 09/10/2021

It was a physical start to the Saints first away day. Both teams were carrying hard and working hard on a sunny day in Northampton. Saints spent the first 15 minutes mostly in the BBOB 22 after lots of successful line breaks and some penalties from a frustrated opposition.

After the Saints pressure was absorbed BBOB managed to turnover the ball and kick deep into the Saints half where they earned a shot at goal and took a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.

Pressure from the resuming kick off put BBOB on the back foot and they spilled the ball forward. The Saints tried to continue the intensity in the resulting scrum but a big BBOB forward pack was successful in their shove and began to work the ball back down field through some hard carries. Saints players were keen in the contact and were offering plenty of defensive aggression. Fly Half Adam Porter was able to win a turnover and allow the boys in blue a chance to rest.

Both teams, perhaps looking to exploit the new rules, began to kick back and forth. Trying to force an error and take some precious meters up the field. BBOB were the first to make a mistake but a misjudgement in the ruck allowed them to recover. The penalty was taken quickly and suddenly the Saints where on the back foot. After a successful defence from the penalty it was another unfortunate mistake from Saints after a lineout that saw BBOB taking a second shot at the goal to make it 6 - 0 clearly for seeing this being a tight match ahead.

From the restart the pressure was on from Saints again. Porter again working hard won his second turnover of the game. Both teams went back and forth with attempts to break the line and gain some momentum but both teams made mistakes under fast and powerful defence.

The fly half, playing like a back row, made a 3rd turnover. This time Saints worked their structure well and the ball made it into the oppositions 22. After the defence of BBOB caved and discipline was lost a penalty was given. The shot at goal was missed and both teams went for a well earned rest.

Half time 6 - 0

The Saints players started the second half quickly in an effort to try and reduce the deficit. Going quick from penalties and working away at the opposition's tackles.

BBOB recovered the ball from the Saints grasp and the centre kicked deep into the corner which was carried out by blue hands. The resulting catch and drive was too difficult for Saints to defend and after some pick and go runs they found themselves over the white line. Conversion made. 13 – 0.

Not too long after the first try BBOB were looking for a second. They found it after a quick penalty and the ball sent wide to be scored in the corner. This time the kick was out of range and BBOB were up 18 - 0.

Saints not finished yet and carried hard up the field. Scrum half Jack Webb found Ross Hubbard in a gap. The scrambled BBOB defence was on him but a slick offload back to Jack Webb put him in. Kick converted by James Larman and the game was on! 18 -7.

Saints continued working hard but a mistake at ruck time gave BBOB a shot at the sticks straight in front and the BBOB kicker made no mistake. 21 – 7

From the kick-off Ross Hubbard claimed the ball. Saints pressed hard for a final try in the dying minutes which came from simple and accurate hands through the line resulting in the MOTM Josh Lofty crossing the line to claim the points. Kick not converted.

Game finished 21 - 12

Saints look forward to an away cup game next week vs Rugby Welsh with the 2nd XV Heathens at home to Newmarket 15:00 KO at the Common.