Team

Midlands 5 West (South)           

Rugby St Andrews 76 Dudley Wasps 0

Date  19-04-08             

Saints, playing in front of a large home crowd bolstered by a number of Vice Presidents and past players, were looking to avenge a draw when the two sides last met back in December. A magnificent combination of aggressive forward play and enterprising back play saw Saints coast to a 12 try victory over a side who had been one of Saints promotion rivals earlier in the season. An error of judgment from the kick off put Saints under early pressure but they quickly moved up field and scrum-half Liam Clynes spotted a gap in the Wasps defence to race over from 35 meters for the opening try after 4 minutes. Saints pack were already getting the better of their opponents and they drove over for a try claimed by Paul Farr, minutes later the same tactic worked from a line out and again Paul Farr claimed the try to give Saints a 15 point lead mid way through the half. Dudley began to come into the game but Saints defended solidly and the forwards again were responsible for the next try, John Waldron grounding the ball after another big drive, Lee Hersey converting. As the first half entered injury time centre Dave Brucket was on hand to a claim a try again converted by Lee Hersey to give Saints a commanding 29-0 half time lead.

With the Saints pack now winning the vast majority of possession Saints used the elements to their advantage, Lee Hersey used his pace to claim two tries at the beginning of the second half before fielding a perfectly judged cross kick to claim his hat trick after 61 minutes, he also added all three conversions. Saints were now enjoying themselves, attacking from deep and causing Dudley all sorts of problems in defence, Full back Ryan Taylor claimed the next try after Saints had broken out of their own 22.  The forwards then took over again driving Kindy Devgun over for a try from a planned line out move before Paul Farr claimed his third try of the afternoon, Lee Hersey adding one conversion. As the game entered injury time Saints had one last attack from deep inside their own half, Ryan Taylor eventually popped the ball back inside for Wayne Bates to touch down between the posts for a try converted by Anthony Miller.

An excellent end to an excellent season for Saints who finished the season seven points clear of their nearest rivals after recording 16 wins and a draw from their 18 league games. The celebrations carried on long into the night as Saints finally achieved the promotion they had come close to for the last three years. They will now look forward to playing in Midlands 4 next season and if they can reproduce this sort of form they will give anyone a good run for their money.

Saints are touring Edinburgh next weekend.

An away match has been organised against AEI. All available senior players and colts should meet at the club at 12.30pm

Upton upon Severn 7Rugby St Andrews 16

Midlands 5 West (South)

Saints received confirmation during the week that they had been awarded a walkover against struggling Tenbury, so they made the long trip to Upton in the knowledge that they were already promoted. This game however, against second placed Upton would go a long way to deciding the eventual league champions with just three points separating the teams at the start of the match.

With a large number of vocal traveling supporters Saints started with the elements in their favour and pinned Upton back into their own half. Lee Hersey was unlucky with two early penalty attempts the first from just inside his own half and second from the touchline which both narrowly missing the right hand upright. It wasn't long before Hersey mastered the wind to slot a penalty after 14 minutes. Saints pack were causing their hosts trouble with the front five powerfully driving Upton off their own scrummage ball and the back row of Devgun, Brightwell and Butlin tackling everything in a black and white shirt that moved. Upton managed a couple of breaks from inside their own half to remind Saints that they weren't going to have it all their own way but excellent covering defence by the midfield and back three kept them at bay. Saints registered their 100th try of the season and first of the game after 25 minutes with second row Paul Farr intercepting a pass from the Upton winger that was destined for his full back before galloping away to score in the corner, with Lee Hersey adding the touchline conversion. Despite having more of the possession and playing the game in the Upton half Saints could not add to their score and the game was finely balanced at half time with Saints leading 10-0

Both sides lost a front row player to the sin bin at the start of the second half and Upton took advantage to score a well worked converted try after 46 minutes. With both sides back to full strength Saints again put pressure on Upton. Clynes and Fletcher both kicked well to relieve the pressure but Saints couldn't create any clear cut chances. Hersey edged Saints further ahead after 62 minutes with his second penalty but Upton kept coming back strongly. Hersey and the returning McConville put up a solid defence in the midfield with the back three of Miller, Caithness and Ryan Taylor clearing up any attacks that did manage to penetrate Saints first line of defence.  Locks Valentine and Farr did well to spoil Upton line out possession and the front row of Chaplow, Jones and Waldron led the pack well to dominate their opposite numbers in the forward exchanges. A third penalty from the boot of Hersey on 72 minutes moved Saints two scores clear. Saints made three changes late in the half as Truslove, Grant Taylor and Curtis entered the fray and they helped Saints to hold out with some resolute defending for a well deserved win against an Upton side who look favourites to join Saints in Midlands 4 next season.

After an excellent performance by the whole squad Saints will look forward to this Saturday where a victory at home over Manor Park will see Saints crowned Champions of Midlands 5 West (South). Saints will also be hoping for another large vocal crowd to spur them on.

Dunlop 21            Rugby St Andrews 15

Warwickshire Shield Semi Final

Saints excellent season almost culminated in a Final appearance as they led their higher ranked opponents going into the final minutes, but Dunlop scored a late try to snatch victory.

Saints got off to the perfect start when centre Dave Brucket went over unopposed for the opening try after 3 minutes. Dunlop hit back straight from the kick off and Saints paid the price for some indecision when their clearance kick was charged down and bounced kindly into the hands of a Dunlop player to score a converted try under the posts. The game was evenly balanced with Dunlop using their quick strong running backs to try and break the gain line but Saints midfield defence was outstanding and kept them at bay. Dunlop extended their lead after half an hour, Saints stopped playing as a Dunlop player lost the ball forward in a tackle but the referee was unsighted and Dunlop regained possession and their centre broke the Saints defence from close range for a second converted try. Saints responded well and five minutes later Dave Brucket was on hand to take a scoring pass for a try converted by Lee Hersey to leave the game finely balanced at 14-12.

Saints used the wind to their advantage in the second half pinning Dunlop in their own half with some useful kicks. The pressure told and Lee Hersey was on hand to kick and excellent penalty from wide out to give Saints a one point lead. Dunlop rallied and pressurised Saints but their defence remained firm. As the pressure increased Saints started to concede penalties, two of which Dunlop attempted to kick at goal but to the relief of the large Saints support they were missed. As the match entered the final minutes Dunlop were camped in the Saints 22 and they eventually crossed for their third try when they released the ball to the backs and their centre cut a good line between despairing Saints tackles to score the vital converted try. Saints threw everything they could at Dunlop in injury time but to no avail and an excellent performance from all the players went unrewarded.

Saints will hope to return to winning ways this weekend when travel to second placed Upton on Severn for a crunch league game that could go a long way to deciding the eventual league champions.

Coventry Welsh 12 Rugby St Andrews 20

Midlands 5 West (South)

Coventry Tech 1st 12 RSA 2nd 28

OLs Colts 26-10 RSA Colts

Saints just edged home in another closely fought contest against their local rivals. Previous matches between the clubs have been tight affairs and this was no exception as Saints scored a late try to seal victory. Saints took the lead after five minutes through a Lee Hersey penalty, but this was cancelled out ten minutes later. Hersey struck another penalty four minutes later to restore the advantage and narrowly missed from wide out with a third attempt. Cov Welsh had an opportunity to score the games opening try but after creating a three man overlap they failed to take advantage, knocking the ball on with the line at their mercy. Saints immediately went down the other end of the pitch and Lee Hersey added his third penalty. Cov Welsh kicked a second penalty on the stroke of half time to leave the game in the balance at 9-6 to Saints.

Cov Welsh leveled the scores early in the second half and they then took the lead for the first time on mid way through the half as Saints attempted to run a free kick from their own line, but the ball carrier became isolated and was penalised for not releasing, leaving Cov Welsh with a simple shot at goal. Two long range penalties from Lee Hersey on 65 and 68 minutes restored Saints slender advantage as they began to increase the pressure on their hosts. As the game entered the final minutes Saints were awarded a number of penalties which they opted to kick to the corner, from one of the line outs the ball was moved wide and Lee Hersey was on hand to race over into the corner for the games only try after 79 minutes.

Victory maintains Saints unbeaten league record and keeps them three points ahead of Upton with Keresley a further six points behind in third place. This means Saints can clinch promotion this weekend when they entertain Tenbury at Ashlawn Road, the ultimate goal however is to be promoted as undefeated champions and that still requires a huge effort from the entire squad.

St Andrew travelled to local rival,s OL,s for this Saturday afternoon classes          Great forward play by Andrews in the first half allowed Andrews to win a lot of ball in the loose, but OL’s made the most of their larger backs, causing St Andrews to miss a few tackles.this allowed OL,S to run in 4 very well worked try before half time & left Andrews looking shellshocked .                                                                            At half time score 26 / 0 to OL’s

 Knee Injuries to D. Kowal and L. Mason at half time, did not help Andrews course in the second half. St. Andrews were camped in their own 22 for long periods of the second half, but some super defence allowed Andrews to hold out well not allowing OL’s to cross their line.

A great interception by W Headley and a very strong run took Andrews in to OL,S 22 were he had T Enefer no hand to run in a first scrore for Andrews.                          From the restart OL’s again pinned Andrews in their own 22 with out success and OL,s started to get frustrated and began to give away more penaltys ,as a result of one of these penaltys given away by O L’s, C Goodfellow put in a huge kick which moved Andrews onto the OL,S 5 mtr line and from a very well worked lineout by Andrew prop R Mussin drove over for Andrews 2nd try.

Due to injuries Andrews did not have a place kicker on the pitch in the 2^nd half so were unable to gain the extra point from these hard worked trys .                            Final score OL,s26 St Andrews 10 .

Rugby St Andrews 24                Harbury 13

Midlands 5 West (South)

Harbury 2nd 10                Rugby St Andrews 2nd 41

Rugby St Andrews Colts 15  Bedworth Colts 12

Saints were made to work hard for victory by Harbury but they eventually ground out a win in a match that was marred by a serious injury to Saints player coach Wayne Morgan. Saints applied the early pressure but it was Harbury who took the lead after 10 minutes through a penalty on their first visit into Saints territory. Liam Clynes crossed for a try mid way through the half only for the referee to call play back, from the resulting scrum the ball was given to backs but Wayne Morgan was stopped just short of the line and in the process suffered a broken leg. The match was held up for 20 minutes while the paramedics treated the unlucky Morgan. Lee Hersey eventually crossed for a try which he also converted after the ball was moved swiftly along the backs. Saints added a second try at the end of the half after a good forward drive resulted in Karl Chaplow claiming a try.

Eight minutes into the second half Lee Hersey claimed his second try after a strong initial break from Mark Brightwell, Hersey also added the conversion. Harbury were disrupting Saints possession but Liam Clynes eventually claimed his try after pouncing on a loose ball to give Saints a commanding lead. With five minutes remaining Saints switched off and Harbury took full advantage claiming two unconverted tries to close the gap.

Everyone at St Andrews wishes Wayne Morgan a speedy recovery.

Saints 1st team have decided to have a week off this week due to the number of players going to Twickenham and an increasing injury list, the Seconds and Colts have home games while the Vets are looking for a fixture.

Rugby St Andrews Colts 15-12 Bedworth Colts

Saints took the field looking for a morale boosting win, however in the first quarter Bedworth pressed the Saints line very hard indeed and only relieving punts from Danny Kowal kept the game scoreless. From these clearances Saints starting to put their game together and won a lot of ball from the larger Bedworth pack with Troy Reeves securing ball in the lineout as well as disrupting the visitors possession.

After a period of sustained pressure Andrews pack controlled the driving maul from a 5-meter lineout and Kallum Goodfellow grounded the ball for the first try. The home side kept up the pressure and following a sweeping move fly half Kristen Enefer overloaded the blindside to allow Pete Bench to score in the corner.

After the half Saints again scored, quick thinking caught Bedworth on the back foot from and quick throw and Will Hedley ran in unopposed. Some indiscipline again marred the Saints performance with two yellow cards and during the second “sin binning” Bedworth took there opportunity to drive Saints back in the maul to score twice in 5 minutes.

The closing minutes saw some anxious spectators on the touchline, but excellent tackling from the team especially MoM Patrick Howard ensured a deserved win. However Colts Coach Andy said we were the better side but nearly lost it due to the poor discipline. It was a red-letter day for this very young squad, their first win this season.

Rugby St Andrews 68                Alcester 0

Midlands 5 West (South)

Saints continued where they had left off the previous week enjoying a ten try victory in wet and muddy conditions against a depleted Alcester side. Saints adapted to the conditions better than their visitors as they enjoying a totally dominant first half, a neat miss pass after 11 minutes allowed Lee Hersey to cross unopposed for the first try, a strong run from Mark Brightwell resulted in another try minutes later before Gary Fletcher crashed over for Saints third try in the space of seven minutes. Saints sucked in the Alcester defence with a series of forward drives before spinning the ball wide where Billy Butlin was on hand to dive over for a try. Anthony Miller spotted a gap in the Alcester defence to claim the next try before Paul Farr forced his way over from close range on the stroke of half time.

With Saints pack winning possession at will and the game already won it was only a case of how many points Saints could score. Alcester defended bravely and but in the end the pressure Saints were exerting on them became too much. Lee Hersey collected the ball just inside the Alcester half and his acceleration beat the first line of defence before he stepped inside the remaining two defenders to score the first try of the second half after 54 minutes. Saints capatilised on a dropped pace in the Alcester back line and Fraser Caithness hacked the ball on twice before diving on the ball as it bobbled over the try line. With the pack shoving Alcester off the ball at the scrums more opportunities arose but twice Saints knocked the ball in the act of scoring the try before they finally released the backs and Fraser Caithness stepped inside the defence to claim his second try of the afternoon. Captain Karl Chaplow scored Saints final try of the afternoon with a strong drive from close range, Lee Hersey added nine conversions for a personal tally of 28 points which took his total to 66 against Alcester in three games.

This was an excellent performance in appalling conditions which sees Saints remain three points clear at the top of the league. They will be hoping to repeat this performance when they entertain Harbury this weekend in another important game as they bid to extend their unbeaten record league record.

Alcester 5                Rugby St Andrews 30

Warwickshire Shield - Quarter Final

Rugby St As 2nd 25

Southam 2nd 15

Saints progressed to the semi finals of the Warwickshire Shield with one of their best performances for months. Saints however did not have the best of starts, they knocked on from the kick and were then penalised from the resulting scrum which enabled Alcester's Scott Carmichael to take a quick tap penalty and run in for a try inside the opening minute. Saints hit back within three minutes with Anthony Miller cutting through the Alcester defence to score under the posts with Lee Hersey adding the conversion. Saints were putting together some excellent phases of play but the combination of rushed passes and resilient defending from Alcester meant the scoreline remained 5-7 at halftime.

With the slope and elements now in their favour Saints began to exert more pressure in the second half.  The smaller Saints pack won ample possession with Man of the Match Martin Valentine and second row partner Paul Farr dominating the line outs. Saints finally extended their lead when Lee Hersey intercepted a loose pass and raced away for a try after 52 minutes before adding two penalties to give Saints some breathing space. Mark Brightwell added a try after 70 minutes before Lee Hersey wrapped the game up with a converted try at the death.

The two sides face each other again this week as they return to league action with the game being played at Rugby.

Lutterworth 2nd 22                                Rugby St Andrews 2nd 15

Clonmell Cup

In a repeat of last years final Saints pushed reigning champions Lutterworth all the way in a hard fought encounter. Ian Spencer claimed all of Saints points with three tries, but a lack of a recognised kicker left Saints wondering what might have been.

Pinley 11                Rugby St Andrews 30

Midlands 5 West (South)

Saturday 5 January 2008

Saints opened the scoring after 4 minutes when Lee Hersey collected a cross kick and set off on a mazy run, when he was eventually caught he managed to offload to the supporting Wayne Morgan who went over for the try, converted by Lee Hersey. Pinley however hit back and started to disrupt Saints but the only other scores came when Carl Rogers and Lee Hersey exchanged a couple of penalties to give Saints a 13-6 half time lead. Pinley claimed an early second half try to close the gap to two points and Saints were forced to battle for the victory. Saints superior fitness told in the final quarter as they claimed two further tries from Mark Brightwell and Lee Hersey, both of which Hersey converted and he also added his third penalty to keep Saints unbeaten league record safe.

Saints travel to Alcester this Saturday for the quarter final of the Warwickshire before they entertain the same club the following week in the league.

Rugby St Andrews 71                Old Warwickians 0

Warwickshire Shield

Saturday 22 December 2007

Saints ended 2007 with an eleven try victory over Old Warwickians as they cruised into the quarter finals of the Warwickshire Shield. Anthony Miller led the way with 4 tries including a six minute hat trick, Lee Hersey scored three with singles from Dave Brucket, Mark Brightwell, Ryan Taylor and Simon Kilborn. Lee Hersey kicked five conversions and two

Rugby St Andrews 71

Old Warwickians 0

Warwickshire Shield

Pinley 11         

Rugby St Andrews 30

Midlands 5 West (South)

Lutterworth 2nd 22

Rugby St And 2nd 15

Clonmell Cup

Sat 22 Dec 2007

Sat 5 Jan 2008

Saints ended 2007 with an eleven try victory over Old Warwickians as they cruised into the quarter finals of the Warwickshire Shield. Anthony Miller led the way with 4 tries including a six minute hat trick, Lee Hersey scored three with singles from Dave Brucket, Mark Brightwell, Ryan Taylor and Simon Kilborn. Lee Hersey kicked five conversions and two penalties.

Saints opened the scoring after 4 minutes when Lee Hersey collected a cross kick and set off on a mazy run, when he was eventually caught he managed to offload to the supporting Wayne Morgan who went over for the try, converted by Lee Hersey. Pinley however hit back and started to disrupt Saints but the only other scores came when Carl Rogers and Lee Hersey exchanged a couple of penalties to give Saints a 13-6 half time lead. Pinley claimed an early second half try to close the gap to two points and Saints were forced to battle for the victory. Saints superior fitness told in the final quarter as they claimed two further tries from Mark Brightwell and Lee Hersey, both of which Hersey converted and he also added his third penalty to keep Saints unbeaten league record safe.

Saints travel to Alcester this Saturday for the quarter final of the Warwickshire before they entertain the same club the following week in the league.

In a repeat of last years final Saints pushed reigning champions Lutterworth all the way in a hard fought encounter. Ian Spencer claimed all of Saints points with three tries, but a lack of a recognised kicker left Saints wondering what might have been

Rugby St Andrews 32        Keresley 3

Midlands 5 West (South)

Keresley 2nd 17

Rugby St And 2nd 51

15-12-07

An excellent team performance from Saints saw them return to winning ways with an emphatic victory over one of their closest promotion rivals. A superb opening ten minutes saw Lee Hersey kick two penalties with only a forward pass and a foot in touch denying Saints two early tries. The first try eventually came on 18 minutes after some good handling resulted in Liam Clynes crossing in the corner, converted by Lee Hersey. Keresley kicked a penalty on 24 minutes but despite the forwards turning over possession regularly Saints could not add to their score. Mark Brightwell intercepted a pass and after a 40 metre dash up the touchline scored a try in the corner. Gary Fletcher added a try after an hour with Lee Hersey kicking the conversion and the game was made safe when Anthony Miller scored his maiden try for the club after receiving an inside pass, Lee Hersey converted.

This week Saints host Warwickians in the Warwickshire Shield on Saturday.

Earlsdon colts 40

 R S A colts 0

An under-strength Saints side travelled to Coventry only to meet a very strong Earlsdon team who played to their potential by keeping the pressure on Andrews line throughout the match. The visitors showed an excellent spirit epitomised by Dean Hobson who played on despite a cracked bone in his arm! After a long break from the game Danny Montgomery once again joined his team mates again for teh first time this season. Saints MoM was Kristen Eneffer for an outstanding display at full back.

Market Harborough 30 Rugby St Andrews 0

EDF Junior Vase - 5th Round

Saints 2nd 24

Kenilworth 3rd 25

8-12-07

Saints suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of a well-drilled Market Harborough side who in turn kept their unbeaten run going. The condition were not ideal for Saints usual expansive game with the wind and rain making handling tricky. Saints had the majority of the territorial advantage in the first half with their forwards pushing Harborough off their own ball on numerous occasions but they couldn't find a way through. The Harborough half backs used the ball well with their kicking game forcing Saints back. The first half remained scoreless and left Saints with a tough challenge against the elements in the second half. Harborough opened the scoring just two minutes in when their back row broke from a scrum close to Saints line to score a converted try, and they soon added a penalty to increase the lead. From then on it went downhill rapidly for Saints, first they lost a player to the sin bin as tempers flared and they then lost all three players from the back row to injury. As Saints struggled to come to terms with the referees interpretation of the laws their frustrations grew and Harborough took advantage to score four unconverted tries in the last quarter through their forwards as Saints makeshift pack tried hard to stem the tide. Harborugh deservedly go into the last 32, even if the scoreline flattered them.

After the setbacks of the previous two weeks Saints return to league action this weekend when Keresley are the visitors. This again will be another tough game for Saints as their opponents currently lie in joint second, but hopefully they can produce the form they showed earlier in the season and return to winning ways.