1st XV
Matches
Sat 05 Oct 2019  ·  Herts/Middx 1
Thamesians
22
29
St Albans Rugby Club
1st XV
Right attitude, right result.

Right attitude, right result.

Terry Evans6 Oct 2019 - 14:24
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St. Albans show great character and determination to beat Thamesians.

With a team showing several changes from the previous week St. Albans made the journey to Twickenham to face an unbeaten Thamesians RFC.

Playing on a school pitch under the flightpath of Heathrow both sides showed determination to establish a dominance. The home side adopt a verbal commentary on how they play the game with plenty of encouragement for achievement.

Saints knew what to expect, and matched Thamesians with determination and intensity. They made the breakthrough after fifteen minutes, when following a scrum close to the home side’s goal line, fly half Mickey Seymour found a gap to go over for an unconverted try.

Thamesians were anxious to restore parity but were frustrated by St. Albans defence and their increasing superiority in the tight play.

The home side did get the next score when, after a period of attack, a kick to the corner was touched down for a converted try. 7 – 5.

St. Albans came close to scoring again before half time, but Fraser Morris’s foot was adjudged to be in touch as he broke down the wing for what looked a certain try.

The second half resumed with the visitors now having advantage of the slight slope. It took just a couple of minutes for Saints to restore their lead as winger Fraser Morris avoided would be tacklers to score a try that was converted by Mickey Seymour.

Thamesians responded quickly, when from a breakdown of a Saints attack, they manufactured a smart move which culminated in an unconverted try, 12 -12.

St. Albans pack were now on top in the tight play and creating severe discomfort for the home side which resulted in a Thamesians player being yellow carded for a breach of discipline.
Saints took full advantage, as following the ensuing scrum Sydney Noad drove over for an unconverted try.

The home side were desperate to prevent St. Albans from extending their lead, and when they were awarded a penalty for “not releasing” close to the visitors posts, this enabled them to move to within two points, 15 -17.

Saints stuck to their game plan, moving play deep into the home side’s half, another scrum with St. Albans calling the shots saw Syd Noad score the bonus point, and his second try, that Mickey Seymour converted.

With Thamesians now muted in the exchanges, St. Albans pack kept up the dominance, forward pressure close to the home side’s goal line created a chance for winger Andy Sinton to score a well taken but unconverted try.

Thamesians did rally and managed a converted try from open play but any hope of a revival was promptly countered as St. Albans moved the game back into the opposition’s half. There they stayed until the final whistle as Saints closed out the game to enjoy a well-deserved victory.

St. Albans produced their best performance of the season, thus far. The team’s attitude and commitment were first rate, and they did not succumb to Thamesians verbal confrontation by sticking to their game plan and getting the job done.

St. Albans man of the match, Mickey Seymour for his marshalling of the game and incisive kicking that kept St. Albans on the front foot. Saints pack should also take a bow for their demolition of the opposition in the tight play.

Final score: Thamesians 22 vs St. Albans 29.

Match details

Match date

Sat 05 Oct 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Instructions

Ground post code : TW5 5LH, Waldergrave School.

Competition

Herts/Middx 1

League position

2
St. Albans
5
Thamesians
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - Lister Interiors Ltd
Offical Charity Partner - East & North Herts Hospitals Charity