Stuttering start, Smooth finish!

On a warm afternoon, better suited to a game of cricket, St. Albans kicked off their new season with a League fixture by hosting the Bank of England RFC.

It took Saints just eight minutes to open the scoring with a well taken try from Syd Noad following a scrum close to the visitor’s line.

However, if St. Albans thought this was going to be a stroll in the park, BoE had other ideas as after fifteen minutes they moved into the lead with a well worked converted try.

Saints play was somewhat disjointed and wrong options were being taken, despite this the home side went back in front when winger Godson Sado was given opportunity to show his pace to score an unconverted try in the corner.

The Bank of England responded almost immediately and after gaining ground a cleaver chip to the corner saw them touchdown for a converted try.

With the visitors now four points ahead it was looking far from comfortable for Saints, it was time to refocus and this they did with a five-minute power play producing try’s from the impressive Syd Noad and Andy Sinton, both converted by George Elliott.

At half time St. Albans had redeemed themselves and had secured a 24 – 14 lead.

With the sun now at their backs St. Albans started the second half in top gear, within minutes skipper Tony Stevenson had charged over for a converted try.

Saints pressure was relentless as they produced some of their best attacking rugby, four scores ensued without response as Fraser Morris and Andy Sinton added to their tally.

St. Albans were breaking ground with every attack, driven by some superb play from fly-half George Saunders, his running gave the BoE defence a torrid time and it was instrumental in giving Saints the platform to score.

One could have expected the visitors to capitulate but that was far from the truth as the BoE continued to play to their game plan. From an attack, another well placed kick allowed them to add their third converted try.

The home side were now intent on making an impression with Fraser Morris, robust in claiming his hat-trick of try’s and proving his potency as a wing man.

George Elliott rounded off the scoring for St. Albans following a super passage of play which involved some great handling.

Overall it was an encouraging afternoon for Saints, but this was the first outing and they will need to work at certain aspects of their play. They looked formidable today against a good side, but they will need to ensure consistency and maintain the will to win.

Final score: St. Albans 69 vs Bank of England 21.