South Leicester vs Rugby St Andrews 1's

South Leicester 6 Rugby St Andrews 50

Counties 3 East (South)

Saints travelled to South Leicester for the first-ever league match between the clubs with a much-changed side from the previous week. With a number of forwards unavailable for this game, the pack saw a couple of positional changes and the inclusion of scrum-half Max Carlton and Full-Back Ryan Taylor in the Back Row.

The hosts took the lead after 3 minutes through a penalty which was soon cancelled out by Chris Halcrow after 11 minutes, with a second kick converted after 23 minutes to give Saints the lead after a lacklustre opening quarter where they were tested by South Leicester. Saints then began to settle into the game playing through the phases and were rewarded with a try by Josh Greenwood, converted by Chris Halcrow. South Leicester hit back before halftime with a second penalty to remind Saints they were still in the game. Saints were awarded another penalty on the stroke of halftime which they opted to kick to the corner, the forward secured possession and rumbled over the line with Chris Heslop claiming the try under a pile of bodies,

The second half was a different story, South Leicester put Saints under pressure but the defensive line remained intact with some solid tackling enabling Saints to turn over possession on their own line. A third try soon followed when replacement Tom Muat took a quick tap penalty and fed Josh Greenwood who crashed over for his second try on the afternoon, converted by Chris Halcrow. As the game entered the final quarter Saints back line started to take advantage of gaps appearing in a tiring home defence, they spun the ball wide and Jack Kettleborough was on hand to take a low pass and cross in the corner on the hour mark to secure the try bonus point. The forwards were next to cross with another catch and drive from a lineout proving unstoppable for Chris Heslop to claim a second try. Jack Kettleborough then crossed for his second try in the corner. South Leicester then gifted Saints a try as a long clearance kick was kept in play by the home side but debutant Euan Marshall was first to the loose ball and looked to run it in from halfway but was stopped just short of the line but the supporting George Headley was on hand to collect the pass and cross for the try. Saints crossed for their eighth try of the afternoon with the final play of the match as the back line again broke through the defence and Chris Halcrow stepped inside the cover to cross for the try.

This win keeps Saints top of the league with a maximum 15 points from the opening block of 3 matches, and they have now opened up a 5-point lead as second-placed Northampton BBOB and third-place Sileby Town who had their game abandoned following an injury to the referee.

Saints have a week off this week before resuming the league at home to Stamford College Old Boys on 14 October.