23rd
January - Midlands 3 East (South)
Saints senior sides returned to action after the weather had forced
cancellations at the start of 2010. All three senior sides recorded victories.
Saints 1st XV hit the ground running in their home league game against
Northampton Casuals with the forwards again dominating proceedings. Two tries
in the opening 10 minutes helped Saints build a solid platform and they went on
to cross the the try line 7 times to record a
comprehensive 42-3 victory.
Saints 2nd XV stay top of Warwickshire Two after an excellent 43-0 victory at
home to Old Leamingtonians. Saints made a slow start and made hard work of
overpowering a strong visiting side but eventaully
ran away with the victory.
Saints 3rd XV made it three wins from three Senior
matches on Saturday with a narrow win over Old Leamingtonians 3rd. Two evenly
matched sides were separated by a single score as Saints recorded a 3-0 victory
2nd
January - Midlands 3 East (South)
Daventry
15 Rugby St Andrews 17
Saints started 2010 with a dramatic last gasp victory at local rivals
Daventry in one of the few league matches to go ahead over the weekend. With all the other club matches cancelled
a large crowd gathered to watch the first ever game on Daventry's new pitch.
Saints started playing into the wind and soon found themselves reduced to 14
men due to a sin binning for a dangerous tackle in the opening two minutes.
Despite this they defended well and their seven man pack disrupted the Daventry
scrum. The opening score came midway through the half when Daventry took clean
line out ball and their pack drove Saints over their own line to register a try
through James Heath. Saints came
more into the game after falling behind but found it difficult to break down
the Daventry defence. Daventry used the wind well to keep Saints pinned back
and with half time approaching they doubled their lead. Saints lost possession
inside their own 22 and Daventry moved the ball wide from Jamie Haynes to cross
in the corner to give the hosts a 10-0 half time lead.
Saints knew they needed an early score and pinned Daventry inside their
own half and the pressure told when Saints were awarded a penalty. The kick
drifted wide but Daventry knocked on in their in-goal area giving Saints a 5
metre scrum. Saints went for the
push over try but were halted when the scrum collapsed, a second attempt was
also thwarted but Saints were awarded a penalty when Daventry were adjudged to
have pulled down the scrum. The next scrum bought about another penalty when
the Daventry front row were again penalised. Saints sensed their dominance in
the pack was causing problems again opted for a scum, when it collapsed the
referee awarded Saints a penalty try with Lee Hersey adding the conversion.
Saints were now on top and a second score arrived soon after. Saints won
possession just outside their own 22 and moved the ball wide to Lee Hersey who
used his pace to beat two men before being tackled by the full back but his
inside pass was excellently collected by Mark Brightwell who crossed under the
posts for a try converted by Hersey. Daventry came back strongly and with eight
minutes remaining were awarded a contentious penalty just outside their 22
which Daventry took quickly, Saints stopped the initial drive but a cross field
kick caught them out and Haynes crossed for his second try for Daventry to
regain the lead. Saints pressed for another score but again couldn't find a way
through, A scrum just inside the Daventry half again went to ground and the
referee didn't hesitate in awarding Saints a penalty and when Daventry raised
their objections they were marched back 10 metres, Lee Hersey stepped up to
stroke the ball between the posts from 40 metres at which point the referee
called time and Saints had edged a well fought victory over their local rivals.
Both the second and third team games fell victim to the weather.
12th
December - Midlands 3 East (South)
Rugby St Andrews 17 Brackley
3
Saints
returned to winning ways with an improved performance at home to Brackley. The
forwards again dominated from the start but the backs found it tough finding
gaps in a well organised Brackley defence. Saints opened the scoring after 3
minutes through a Hersey penalty but despite their superiority couldn’t
add to this and Brackley levelled the scores with a penalty of their own after
18 minutes. Saints went close on a number of occasions and were held up over
the line but went in ahead at half time thanks to a second Hersey penalty.
Saints
came out strongly in the second half and within a minute had increased their
lead, the forwards won good ball and backs moved it to the wing for Hersey to
use hid pace to cross in the corner for a try. Saints were now on top but lost
possession at crucial times. Two more penalties from the boot of Hersey
extended their lead but they came under increasing pressure as Brackley refused
to give up. Saints defended well during the final quarter as Brackley threw everything
they had at Saints but their line remained intact and two valuable points were
secured.
Saints
travel to Daventry in the first return league fixture of the season this
weekend before a week off over Christmas. They start the New Year by making the
short trip to face Old Laurentians in the Warwickshire Cup on Sunday 3 January
2010.
Warwickshire Two
Bedworth Extras 12 Rugby
St Andrews 2nd 24
Saints
go into the Christmas break with their defence of the Warwickshire Two title on
track after recording their seventh straight league win. A close fought and
hard match against last season’s runners up was won through tries from
Gary Curtis, Kristen Enefer, Will Headley and Gary Yates with Gary Curtis
kicking two conversions.
Saints
have now finished their pre Christmas league games and will turn their
attentions to the defence of the Clonmell Cup when they travel to Lutterworth
this Saturday.
Old Laurentians 3rd
47 Rugby
St Andrews 3rd 5
An
extremely young Saints third team made the short trip to OLs and returned home
with a heavy defeat. The score line fails to reflect how well the young Saints
played but they conceded a number of soft tries early in the game and never
recovered. Youngster Jack Downie registered Saints only try.
5th December - Midlands 3 East (South)
Bedford Swifts 24 Rugby St Andrews 17
Saints
had a number of players return to the side but fell to a disappointing defeat
on their travels. Saints started extremely well and for the first ten minutes
kept Swifts under pressure with no reward. After the initial skirmishes Swifts
came more into the game as Saints seemed to lack invention and passion. The
Swifts pack were competing well and despite Saints kicking well to the corners
Swifts were able to win their own ball and clear the lines effectively. It took
30 minutes for the opening score to come and it was through a penalty for the
hosts, the lead was short lived as Gary Fletcher kicked a penalty within 60
seconds to restore parity before limping off injured. Swifts mounted an attack
in the final minutes of the half and found a way through the Saints defence to
claim a converted try and 10-3 half time lead. Saints came out strongly from the
restart but a clever kick from Swifts saw the ball bounce away from the Saints
defence and into the hands of a grateful Swifts player who ran in unopposed to
claim a second converted try. Saints closed the gap with two penalties from
replacement Lee Hersey and the same player then finished off a good handling
move to score a try in the corner to leave Saints trailing 17-14 going into the
final ten minutes. A second piece of fortune then undid Saints comeback with
the Swifts fullback intercepting a pass and winning the footrace from halfway
to claim another converted try to leave Saints with a mountain to climb. Saints
closed the gap with a third Hersey penalty before laying siege to the Swifts
try line for the final few minutes but couldn’t find their way over.
Saints
will be looking for an improved performance this weekend as they entertain
Brackley.
Newbold 2nd 7 Rugby St Andrews
2nd 36
Saints
seconds continued their run of good form with a comprehensive victory over
local rivals Newbold at Parkfield Road.
Rugby St Andrews 3rd
17 Vipers 4th 24
Saints
thirds were unlucky to lose against a strong Vipers side.
28th
November - Midlands 3 East (South)
Rugby St Andrews
8 Stockwood Park 13
With
an increasing number of players unavailable Saints fielded a side showing eight
changes from the previous league game. The players bought in performed
admirably but in the end wrong options and a stubborn defence proved their
undoing. Despite missing four regular forwards the pack took the initiative
from the start and were on top throughout the game, the backs however
couldn’t find a way through a quick and well organised defence. Saints
enjoyed the majority of possession and territorial advantage in the opening
quarter and though they had taken the lead after they took clean line out ball
and drove Stockwood back over their own line, the unsighted referee judging
that Stockwood had managed to hold the ball up. A series of scrums on the
Stockwood line came to nothing as the pack were stopped inches short. On a rare
visit into the Saints 22 Stockwood opened the scoring, a hesitant defence
failed to clear the ball and Stockwood charged down and quickly fell on the
ball as it bobble around the in goal area to take a 5-0 half time lead.
Stockwood
doubled their lead within 3 minutes of the restart, with quick handling putting
them over in the corner. Saints responded with a penalty from the boot of Gary
Fletcher but this was soon cancelled out by a Stockwood drop goal within a
minute. Saints went on the offensive but lacked a cutting edge until quick
handling put Tom Helliwell over for a try in the corner with eight minutes
remaining. Saints played out the remainder of the match camped on the Stockwood
line and despite numerous infringements Saints had to go for the scrum in an
effort to score the try they required to level the scores. Stockwood held firm
despite at times being stretched and held on for a narrow victory.
Saints will be hoping that a number of the missing players will be
available this weekend, including Tony Ford and Simon Kilborn who both had to
leave the field with eye injuries. Saints travel to Bedford Swifts this weekend
in what could be another close encounter as they look to get back to winning
ways. A coach is being laid on and will leave the Club at 12.00 prompt,
returning to Rugby for 9.00pm.
Warwickshire Two
Rugby St Andrews 2nd
59 Silhillians 2nd
14
Silhillians
honoured this fixture despite only having ten players available, Saints loaned
them five and went on to record another convincing victory which maintains
their unbeaten record. Despite missing a number of regular players to
unavailability and first team call ups they ran in a total of nine tries. The
highlight of the afternoon was second row James Daniels crossing for a try in
the opening minute, sadly it was for Silhillians.
21st November –
EDF Senior Vase
Rugby St Andrews
45 Southam 0
Despite
missing a number of regular players Saints eased past local rivals Southam and
into the Quarter Finals of the Midlands Section of the EDF Senior Vase. Saints
pack were soon on top and laid a solid platform for the backs, Gary Fletcher
used the advantage of the strong wind to keep Southam pegged back in their own
half. Mark Brightwell forced his way over for the opening try after 12 minutes.
The pack again won good ball and Saints attacked the blind side with Dave Rudd
being illegally stopped in his tracks inches short of the line and referee
didn’t hesitate in awarding a penalty try with Fletcher adding the
conversion. Saints were dominating possession and territory but found it hard
to break down a stubborn Southam defence, Fletcher added two penalties to
extend the lead before captain Karl Chaplow crossed for a try to give Saints a
23-0 lead at half time. Saints turned round to face the elements but
comfortably handled the
kicking
game Southam employed running the ball back to keep Southam under pressure. A
penalty for Saints was kicked to touch and forwards took a clean line out catch
before driving Southam back 15 meters to score and excellent try with Kallum
Goodfellow the player in possession mid way through the second half. Mark
Brightwell crossed for his second try a couple of minutes later to put Saints
out of site. The forwards again demonstrated their superiority driving a line
out over the Southam line for captain Chaplow to claim his second try with Mark
Brightwell adding the conversion. As the game reached its conclusion there was
time for Gary Fletcher to spot a gap in the Southam defence and race away for
Saints seventh and final try of the game.
This
was an impressive victory in the conditions for Saints who will look to repeat
their performance this weekend when they entertain second placed Stockwood Park
in the league.
Warwickshire 2nd
XV Cup - Rugby St Andrews 2nd 5 Earlsdon 2nd 32
Saints
seconds felt the effect of their players being called up to the first team but
gave a valiant display against a strong Earlsdon side. Earlsdon scored two
quick tries to lay down a marker but Saints responded with a try of their own
through Keith Lister. Saints though finally succumbed to their higher ranked
opponents despite giving their all. Saints will look to bounce back this
weekend when they entertain Silhillians in the league.
14th
November - Midlands 3 East (South)
Saints
trip to Luton to face Vauxhall Motors was cancelled on Saturday lunch time as
the host club continue to have problems fielding a side.
This
gave Saints a week off to prepare for the visit of local rivals Southam in the
EDF Senior Vase and will be hoping
for a large crowd to cheer them on as the look to avenge last season’s
defeat in the same competition.
Rugby St Andrews 2nd
57 Earlsdon 3rd 7
Saints
again struggled to find opposition but were grateful to Earlsdon for stepping
in late on Friday night. The generosity stopped there though as a young Saints
side ran in a total of nine tries against their plucky opponents, despite the
terrible conditions.
Saints
2nd XV are also in cup action when they entertain Earlsdon II XV in
the quarter final of the Warwickshire 2nd XV cup.
Rugby St Andrews 3rd
36 Manor Park 3rd 5
Saints
thirds made it a good weekend for the club as they eventually overcame stubborn
opponents Manor Park.
7th
November - Midlands 3 East (South)
Queens 26 Rugby
St Andrews 26
Saints
made the trip to Bedford with confidence following their improved performances
over the last couple of weeks. The kick off was delayed when the referee was
held up in traffic and Queens set their stall out early with their forwards
winning possession and their half backs using the advantage of the wind and sun
to kick deep into Saints half. Queens opened the scoring with a penalty but
Saints responded when Lee Hersey took advantage of some half hearted tackling
to break through for a try under the posts which he converted. Saints were
guilty of conceding needless penalties and this allowed Queens to clear the
ball into Saints half until they were awarded a penalty within kicking range to
leave the game finely balanced at 6-7.
Queens
started the second half on the front foot and direct running from their
forwards resulted in a converted try. Saints reduced the deficit with a penalty
but this was soon cancelled out as Saints struggled to interpret the decisions
made by the referee. Saints built a solid platform in the Queens 22 but were
repeatedly thwarted as they tried to force their way over with a direct
approach, eventually they moved the ball wide and Hersey crossed from his
second converted try to retake the lead. Queens hit back with a long range
penalty as the lead changed hands again. Saints began to press and it was Queens
who were now conceding the penalties and Lee Hersey obliged with three
successful kicks to move Saints into a 26-19 lead with 2 minutes remaining.
Queens hit back strongly and Saints, under increasing pressure, were again
conceding penalties in their own 22 which Queens were forced to run in an
attempt to score a converted try. After 6 minutes of injury time and a string
of penalties the inevitable happened and Queens forced their way over for a try
which was converted to level the scores.
Warwickshire Two
Rugby St Andrews 2nd v
Dunlop 2nd
Dunlop
arrived without a recognised front row which resulted in a Walkover for Saints.
The game was played as a friendly with uncontested scrums but this didn't seem
to make a difference to Saints who ran out comfortable 60-0 winners.
Oadby Wyggestonians
3rd 27 Rugby
St Andrews 3rd 5
31st
October - Midlands 3 East (South)
Rugby St Andrews 52
Northampton Mens Own 25
Saints
continued where they left off last week as they overcame second placed Mens Own
in front of their Vice Presidents in a game sponsored by The Bank Bar &
Restaurant. Mens Own kicked a penalty after 3 minutes but Saints soon settled
into their game with the pack again destroying their opponents giving Saints
half backs Ellerington and Fletcher time to dictate the game. A Lee Hersey
penalty levelled the scores after 9 minutes. Billy Butlin claimed Saints first
try after 15 minutes with a strong run through the heart of the Mens Own
defence, converted by Lee Hersey before Hersey used his pace to beat his opponent
to ball after a clever kick over the defence by Fletcher. Mens Own responded
with a second penalty but Saints almost put the game out of sight with 3 tries
in the last five minutes of the half. Wingers Paddy Howard and Lee Hersey
crossed for unconverted tries before slick inter passing by the backs released
full back Ryan Taylor for a try, converted by Lee Hersey.
Lee
Hersey completed his hat-trick within a minute of the restart but Saints had to
wait until the 60th minute for their next try scored by James Ellerington.
Saints were then forced into making changes and while they reshuffled their
side Mens Own took full advantage to score two quick tries. Lee Hersey
responded with a penalty but Mens Own claimed a third try in the last minute of
normal time. Saints though had the final say when replacement winger Kristen
Enefer crossed for a try in the 5th minute of injury time to take Saints past
the 50 point mark for the second week running.
This
was a convincing team performance by Saints but Jason Hare was awarded the Man
of the Match for his all round performance. Saints will be hoping to continue
this form as they face two long trips to Bedford Queens and Vauxhall Motors in
their next two league games.
Warwickshire Two
Old Leamingtonians 7
Rugby St Andrews 2nd 52
Saints
maintained their unbeaten start to their league campaign with a comprehensive
nine try victory at Old Leamingtonians. A disciplined performance allowed the
Saints pack to lay a solid platform which allowed the backs time and space to
make good ground. Tom Helliwell and Wayne Bates crossed for three tries each
with singles from Fraser Caithness, Jamie Clynes and Keith Lister, Gary Curtis
adding four conversions and Tom Helliwell two.
Harbury 2nd 33 Rugby St Andrews 3rd 12
After
Saints were let down at the last minute they were fortunate to find Harbury
seconds in a similar position. A mix of youth and experience performed well but
were ultimately beaten by a stronger side. Dick Hobley and Paddy Walsh claimed
tries for Saints.
24th October
- EDF Senior Vase - 2nd Round
Rugby St Andrews 57 Upton
on Severn 5
Saints
cruised into the next round of the Senior Vase with an excellent team
performance over Upton, despite missing a number of regular players. The
forwards dominated throughout the game with the front five of Waldron, Jones,
Chaplow, McHarg and Goodfellow driving their opponents off the ball on numerous
occasions, allowing the back row of Butlin, Taylor and Hare to link together to
make good ground. With the forwards in complete control it allowed half backs
Ellerington and Fletcher to dictate the game, on the rare occasions that Upton
did retain possession they couldn't find a way through the centre partnership
of Brightwell and Kilborn. The back three of Enefer, Helliwell and Howard were
rarely troubled in defence and when they did receive the ball made good use of
it. Replacements McPhillips, Morgan and Bates barely had time to settle into
the rhythm of the match before the referee called an early end to the contest.
Saints crossed for nine tries at regular intervals during the game with Howard,
Goodfellow, Brightwell and Helliwell crossing twice and Hare adding another,
James Ellerington added six conversions. Upton responded with the final try of
the game when they took advantage of a rare lapse in concentration by the
Saints back line to race over for a long range try.
Saints
will look to keep this momentum going when they entertain second placed
Northampton Mens Owns this weekend in front of their Vice Presidents.
Rugby St Andrews 2nd
38 Manor
Park 2nd 5
17th
October - Midlands 3 East (South)
Northampton Casuals 14
Rugby St Andrews 13
Saints
travelled to Northampton looking for their fourth straight victory and despite
dominating the opening exchanges only had a Lee Hersey penalty to show for it.
Hersey extended Saints lead with a solo try mid way through the half but Saints
were unable to conjure any other scoring opportunities. A defensive error from
Saints gave Casuals a chance and they took it with a converted try from a 5
metre scrum on the stroke of half time to leave Saints 8-7 ahead. The second
half was more end to end but the game was punctuated at regular intervals by
injuries and indiscretions by both sides. Casuals option to run a penalty from
under Saints posts was thwarted by some excellent defence and Saints edged
further ahead when Simon Kilborn won the race to kick ahead to get the faintest
of downward pressure to register Saints second try. Saints however couldn't
find the killer score and came under increasing pressure. As the game entered
the final minutes Casuals took advantage of a loose ball to hack through from
40 metres and score under the posts to leave a simple match winning conversion.
Saints
take a break from league action this weekend and turn their attentions to the
EDF Senior Vase. They entertain Upton on Severn (Kick Off 2.30) with whom
Saints have had a number of close fought encounters when both sides were in the
West League.
Warwickshire Two
Rugby St Andrews 2nd
12 Spartans 2nd 5
Saints,
with a below strength side, earned a well deserved victory over a much larger
Spartans team who enjoyed the majority of possession and territory. Saints
defence however was excellent and when they did manage the odd excursion into
the Spartans half came away with tries from Tom Koe and Tom Helliwell,
converted by Gary Curtis to maintain their unbeaten start to their league
defence.
Shipston on Stour
2nd v Rugby St Andrews 3rd XV
After
being let down by a number of teams Saints thirds eventually mustered 12
players and travelled to face Shipston. Saints however came up against a very
strong 2nd team who were bolstered by a number of returning players as well as
an England Youth International. To their credit Saints never gave up despite
being under constant pressure and returned to Rugby battered and bruised but
with their heads held high.
10th
October - Midlands 3 East (South)
Rugby St Andrews 23 Long
Buckby 11
Saints
struggled against local rivals Long Buckby with their poor discipline seeing
them concede an endless string of needless penalties that on another day could
have cost them a win. Saints dominated the opening exchanges but only had Ryan
Taylor's 8th minute penalty to show for their endeavours. Buckby however found
their rhythm but luckily for Saints their kicker was off target with all three
of his penalty attempts. What followed in the next few minutes was bizarre, a
fourth attempt at the posts by Buckby went wide and ball crept over the dead
ball line at which point Saints got set to restart only for Buckby to get hold
of the ball and touch it down under the posts with the referee awarding the
try, however this decision was reversed when the Long Buckby touch judge
entered the field of play to confirm that the ball had actually gone dead and
Saints were reprieved. From the resulting drop out Buckby collected the ball
and ran through Saints first line of defence before feeding the ball inside to
register a try, they extended their lead with a penalty in injury time to lead
3-8.
Saints
started the second half on the front foot and from a 5m scrum were awarded a
Penalty Try, converted by Ryan Taylor for an off the ball incident. Saints poor
discipline put them under pressure but their defence held firm and as the game
entered the final quarter the ball was moved quickly to the wing and Kristen
Enefer crossed for the try. Buckby responded with a penalty two minutes later
to leave the game finely poised 15-11 going into the final 10 minutes. Saints
however moved the ball wide again and Kristen Enefer crossed for a second try
before Ryan Taylor sealed victory with a penalty two minutes from time.
Saints
were happy with the win and the two points but disappointed with their
performance and discipline. They will be hoping to improve this weekend when
they travel to Northampton Casuals.
Warwickshire 2nd XV
Cup
Barker Butts 2nd 7 Rugby
St Andrews 2nd 17
Copsewood 2nd 7 Rugby
St Andrews 3rd 57
Saints
thirds travelled to Copsewood and returned with a comprehensive victory over
their hosts' second team. Saints young back line claimed all the points, Tom
White crossed for three tries and Tom Koe twice, with singles coming from Paddy
Howard, Pete Bench, George Headley and Will Headley who also added six
conversions.
Saints
are holding their Vice President's Lunch on Saturday 31 October 2009 prior to
the league game against Northampton Mens Own. Any Vice President who is
planning to attend and has not yet confirmed is advised to contact the club as
soon as possible.
3rd October
- Midlands 3 East (South)
Deepings 0 Rugby
St Andrews 26
Late
withdrawals due to work commitments led to a few last minute changes but Saints
made the long trip to Deepings confident they could record their first away
victory of the season. A good team performance especially by the forwards who
distributed the Deepings scrum and lineout led to the backs claiming the glory
by crossing for all of Saints points. Saints played into the strong wind in the
first half but kept Deepings at bay limiting them to one long range penalty
which fell short. Saints kept the ball in hand and asked questions of the
Deepings defence making ground with every attack. Saints broke the deadlock
after 27 minutes when they won quick ball deep inside their own half and
launched an attack, quick handling eventually released full back Ryan Taylor
who crossed for the try, converted by James Ellerington. Saints kept pressing
but were penalised too many times which gave Deepings the opportunity to clear
the ball back into Saints territory. Saints started the second half well and
Simon Kilborn won the race to a James Ellerington kick to register a try for
Saints. Saints spent long periods in the Deepings half but were guilty of
forcing the pace which allowed Deepings to relieve the pressure. Simon Kilborn
was on the end of short pass to crash through the defence to score his second
try, converted by Ryan Taylor after 64 minutes. Saints continued to press but
had to wait until the final minute for another score, the forwards turned over
possession on the half way line and quick ball enabled the backs to create an
overlap with Simon Kilborn taking the final pass to complete his hat-trick with
Ryan Taylor again adding the conversion.
This
was an encouraging team performance which Saints will look to build on this
week when they entertain Long Buckby at Ashlawn Road.
Stoke Old Boys 1st 35 Rugby
St Andrews 2nd 10
Rugby St Andrews 3rd 5 Coalville 3rd 5
26th September 2009 - Midlands
3 East (South)
Rugby St Andrews
39 Daventry 13
Saints
again got off to a poor start, after a misplaced pass, Daventry kick through to
register a try inside the first minute.
Saints forwards soon started to get the better of their opponents in the
scrum and tight and eventually they made enough room for Wayne Bates to squeeze
over in the corner for a try. The reminder of the half was even with neither
side managing to find a breakthrough until injury time when Daventry took
advantage of missed tackles to register a second try and take a half time lead
of 10-5.
Saints
were forced into making changes due to injuries at half time, but managed to
level the scores when makeshift centre Kalum Goodfellow powered his over for a
try. Daventry were temporarily
reduced to 14 men and Saints took advantage, they moved the ball wide and
winger Lee Hersey used his pace to beat the defence to score a try which he
also converted to give Saints the lead for the first time. Merv McConville
added a drop goal with 10 minutes to go to move Saints two scores clear, before
Lee Hersey weaved his way past 5 Daventry players to claim his second converted
try of the afternoon. A clever kick over the defence from James Ellerington was
gathered by Lee Hersey to claim his third try in the final minute. Another kick over the defence, this time
by Merv McConville was collected by Wayne Bates who fed Paul Farr, when he was
stopped inches from the line he managed to give the ball to second row partner
Stuart McHarg who went over for the try, converted by Lee Hersey. Daventry had
the final say in the tenth minute of injury time when they added a drop goal.
Saints
will look to build in their first league victory this week when they travel to
Deepings.
Warwickshire Two
Rugby St Andrews 2nd
52 Southam 2nd 5
Saints
seconds also made a slow start but eventually came away with another comprehensive
league victory. Mark Brightwell crossed for three tries with singles coming
from Dave Rudd, Simon Kilborn, Will Headley, Callum McPhillips and Fraser
Caithness, Gary Curtis added four conversions
.
Daventry 3rd
XV 24
Rugby St Andrews 3rd XV 48
19th September 2009
Rugby Welsh 1st 15
Rugby St Andrews "A" 42
With 26 players missing last weekend
Saints still fielded a strong A side which made the short trip to Rugby Welsh.
They returned with a good victory against a Welsh side who never gave up.
Rugby St Andrews "B" 10
Standard 1st 65
A mixed B side made up of ex Colts and
Vets came up against a very strong Standard side that was bolstered by players
from other clubs. Saints struggled to win possession against a strong and well
organised Standard pack but when they did win clean fast ball Ian Spencer and
Paul Bostock claimed tries.
12th September 2009 - Midlands
3 East (South)
Bugbrooke 51 Rugby St
Andrews 0
Saints played without passion and urgency
and were ultimately well beaten by a confident and well drilled Bugbrooke side.
Saints got off to the worst possible start conceding a converted try within 90
seconds of the start. Bugbrooke added a penalty on their next visit into Saints
territory and rounded off another backs move with a second try to leave Saints
trailing by 15 points inside the opening 10 minutes. Saints rallied and while
they lacked a cutting edge to their attack play kept Bugbrooke at bay for the
remainder of the half.
Saints came out for the second half
needing an early score to give them a way back into the match but it was
Bugbrooke who registered their third try just 2 minutes into the half. From
then on Bugbrooke made ground with every attack and broke through the first
line of defence with regularity. Saints did put one good move together but with
the line in sight were turned over in the ruck and Bugbrooke cleared the ball
to safety.
This was a disappointing defeat after good
pre season work and Saints will have to regroup before their entertain Daventry
in their next league game.
Warwickshire Two
Rugby St Andrews 2nd
69 Shipston
on Stour 2nd 5
Saints
seconds started their defence of the league with a resounding victory against a
14 man Shipston side. Saints crossed for a total of eleven tries, Dave Rudd and
Captain Steve Young crossing twice with Dwayne Morris, Kindy Devgun, George
Headley, Patrick Howard, Will Headley, Gary Curtis and Gary Yates adding
singles, Gary Curtis adding 7 conversions.
Coventrians 2nd 7 Rugby
St Andrews 3rd 17
Saints
travelled with 10 players and were grateful to be loaned three players to even
up the sides. With the second team pitch unplayable they ended up playing on a
football pitch but this didn't distract them as Nixon, White and Bench crossed
for tries with Spencer adding a conversion in a game that was bought to end 20
minutes early due to an injury.
5th
September 2009
Old
Leamingtonians 24 Rugby
St Andrews 24
After two successful trial victories at Southam and
Newbold, Saints traveled to Old Leamingtonians for their first proper outing of
the season. Saints were without a number of last season’s side and lost
Jamie Clynes through injury inside two minutes. A relatively even opening
quarter came to end when Old Leams spun the ball wide for their quick winger to
race over between the posts for a converted try. Saints responded 7 minutes
later when Gary Fletcher spotted a gap and forced his way over in the corner
for a try. The rest of the half remained scoreless and Saints trailed 7-5 at
halftime.
Saints started the second half strongly and took the
lead through a Lee Hersey try after good work down the short side by Mark
Brightwell and James Ellerington following a 5m scrum. Saints extended their
lead mid way through the half, Saints won another scrum inside the Old Leams 22
and a scissor move in the midfield allowed Tom Helliwell to crash through the
centre for a try under the posts, converted by Lee Hersey. Old Leams used their
larger squad to make rolling changes and the fresh legs to score 3 tries in the
space of 7 minutes. After two successful seasons Saints know never up give up
and they were rewarded 2 minutes from time when last season’s top try
scorer Lee Hersey showed good strength and pace to go over for his second try,
his successful conversion gave Saints a 24-24 draw.
This week sees Saints kick off their Midlands 3 league
campaign at Bugbrooke.
Rugby St
Andrews 2nd 12 Southam 2nd 21
Saints seconds held a 12 point advantage at half time
but Southam took advantage of the cancellation of their first team game to make
a number of changes. A larger and quicker back line raced over for 3 converted
tries in quick succession to take the victory.
Saints seconds start their defence of Warwickshire 2
this weekend when they entertain Shipston.
Berkswell
& Balsall 3rd 39 Rugby St
Andrews 3rd 5
A young Saints side traveled to Berkswell where they
met a much larger and experience side.
