SAINT ANDREWS 28pts – BURBAGE 14pts

A hastily rescheduled game saw Saints host Burbage under lights last Thursday evening. Both sides were below full strength but the home forwards were in dominant form, scoring all 3 tries and denying the Leicester side a consistent attacking platform to launch their dangerous backs.

Saints swarmed into the attack from the kick off and were unlucky to be denied an early score. However patient recycling set up the position for Dan Hull to crash over from short range, followed by a similar effort from Kalum Goodfellow. Joe Hudson converted both and added a penalty goal for a 17 point interval lead.

It was more of the same from the restart with a try from prop “Eddie” Graham but further promising attacks fizzled out and the penalty count mounted, allowing Burbage some respite. Saints were then hit with 2 yellow cards in quick succession and a well taken converted try. They seemed to have weathered the storm when Joe Hudson landed another penalty before being restored to full strength only for the villagers to snatch a second converted score from a fortunate bounce. Saints pushed hard for a 4 try bonus but failed to capitalise on a number of opportunities and eventually settled for a third penalty to end the game.

Ledbury, who are already confirmed as league champions, are at John Tomalin Way for the final league game of the season. They are on a 19 match winning sequence, having suffered just the solitary defeat in their opening game against Saints, who will no doubt welcome the post lunch vocal support of their Vice Presidents and former players in their biggest challenge to date.

R Blinco