Back
Sat 19 Nov 2016 · London 3 North West
Old Merchant Taylors'
1st XV
38
35
Lost composure proves costly!
Terry Evans21 Nov 2016 - 15:52
Share via
Saints almost rescue a game that was theirs to win!
St. Albans travelled to Northwood for a game with OMT’s, a team that sat just below them in the League.
Saints started a pace and immediately looked dangerous with aggressive attacking play and a desire to assert themselves. This was rewarded with a couple of early penalties that Nick Woolley narrowly failed to convert, however they were in front when after a fine run full back, Sam Millicheap finished off a flowing move, Woolley secured the conversion.
St. Albans then totally lost the initiative and allowed the home side back into the game, costly basic mistakes gave OMT’s the confidence to set their speedy back line free and it wasn’t long before they had racked up three converted tries without response.
The visitors looked shell shocked and desperately sort to regain their earlier composure. Ball retention and support play helped St. Albans fight their way back into the game but OMT’s always posed a threat with their fly-half and play maker testing Saint’s defence with intelligent kicking.
Saints did add a further Alex Sharpe try after determined work involving the forwards with Mike Bennet, Jack Middleton and Sam Lowery making important contributions. However, every time the visitors looked as if they could regain the initiative OMT’s countered and added to St. Albans frustration.
This frustration resulted in Saints winger, Ollie Fountain, being dismissed from the field following a verbal transgression with the referee. Despite now being reduced to 14 players the visitors seemed inspired not to capitulate and became resolute in their play, this then culminated in OMT’s losing a player to a yellow card for constant off-side infringements.
St. Albans added to their try tally with scores from Alex Sharpe, David Jones and another for Sam Millicheap and with five minutes remaining edged in front with a Nick Woolley conversion.
OMT’s to their credit were not going to let this game slip from their grasp and in the dying minutes secured a sixth try that gave them the winning points in an eventful see-saw match.
Next week St. Albans entertain Grasshoppers at Boggymead kick off 3.00pm.
Saints started a pace and immediately looked dangerous with aggressive attacking play and a desire to assert themselves. This was rewarded with a couple of early penalties that Nick Woolley narrowly failed to convert, however they were in front when after a fine run full back, Sam Millicheap finished off a flowing move, Woolley secured the conversion.
St. Albans then totally lost the initiative and allowed the home side back into the game, costly basic mistakes gave OMT’s the confidence to set their speedy back line free and it wasn’t long before they had racked up three converted tries without response.
The visitors looked shell shocked and desperately sort to regain their earlier composure. Ball retention and support play helped St. Albans fight their way back into the game but OMT’s always posed a threat with their fly-half and play maker testing Saint’s defence with intelligent kicking.
Saints did add a further Alex Sharpe try after determined work involving the forwards with Mike Bennet, Jack Middleton and Sam Lowery making important contributions. However, every time the visitors looked as if they could regain the initiative OMT’s countered and added to St. Albans frustration.
This frustration resulted in Saints winger, Ollie Fountain, being dismissed from the field following a verbal transgression with the referee. Despite now being reduced to 14 players the visitors seemed inspired not to capitulate and became resolute in their play, this then culminated in OMT’s losing a player to a yellow card for constant off-side infringements.
St. Albans added to their try tally with scores from Alex Sharpe, David Jones and another for Sam Millicheap and with five minutes remaining edged in front with a Nick Woolley conversion.
OMT’s to their credit were not going to let this game slip from their grasp and in the dying minutes secured a sixth try that gave them the winning points in an eventful see-saw match.
Next week St. Albans entertain Grasshoppers at Boggymead kick off 3.00pm.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
