Tide turns for Saints with emphatic win

St. Albans welcomed Fullerians to Boggymead on Saturday, for a game that had taken on considerable significance, given Saints recent poor run of results, which had left them sitting just clear of the relegation zone. Fullers, by contrast, had seen an upturn in their fortunes after a poor start to the season.

Saints took control from the off, battering the Fullers' defence with a series of attacks deep in the visitors 22. With the pack linking well with the three quarters, it seemed only a matter of time before the line was broken. However, the visitors held firm and after a full eight minutes of uninterupted possession, Saints had to make do with a Mark Kentish penalty. Infact, Saints inability to break the visitors line coupled with Fullers manful defensive hold seemed to change the impetus over the ensuing minutes.

It was now Fullerians who had control of the ball. The boot completely on the other foot, St. Albans now had to show their defensive qualities. This they did and to good effect. With an onslaught upon them, they ultimately conceded a penalty which was well taken. Midway through the half another penalty was conceded by Saints and the Fullers stand off duly took the three points on offer. The game was now very evenly balanced, with defences holding sway. The tackling was becoming more brutal from both sides, each trying to stamp some authority on proceedings. Quite often, from a hard but fair challenge, a melee would follow, with some unnecessary wading in. The referee was having his work cut out to control things.

Saints got back to parity with another Kentish penalty before wing Dan Satchell, receiving his pass well outside the visitors 22, managed to round the cover with some style to touchdown in the corner. On the stroke of half time Saints again launched an attack from deep, excellent handling through the backs gave Satchell the ball on the right wing, still with lots to do. Again his elusive running foxed his opposite number, but when it looked like he would bag his second, the cover this time managed to bundle him into touch. Amazingly, a thouroughly exhilarating half had yielded just the single try. Saints had started and finished the half the better, maybe deserving of their narrow lead, but the game still looked even steven.

The second period began as the first, with St. Albans dominating. This time though, they crucially scored the try. They were using the strength and power of their pack much more, sapping the energy of their opponents defence. A penalty was kicked to touch 5 metres out, a platform that Saints can usually turn to points. The catch and drive made, Fullers did well to stop the second surge. With the maul being brought down, scrum half Alex Deane whipped out the ball to Captain Alderton, whose fleet of hand sent prop Brenton Lemiere in on the inside. With the Kentish conversion sailing between the sticks, Saints had opened up a 12 point cushion. They now had a self belief and a confidence that would see them move through the gears to dominate the second half.

Fullers were now chasing a game that was slipping away. The intensity of the defence shown in the first period was now patently not there and gaps would open a plenty. A surging break from his own 22 saw No. 8 Craig Huddleston make a full 50 metres before he was stopped. His support however was first to the breakdown and looked to give quick ball to the backs. Fullers infringed, not only giving Kentish the chance to increase the lead to 21-6, but also seeing their number decreased as the official duly brandished a yellow card. With the numerical advantage, Saints went for the kill. Huddleston got himself on the scoresheet with a simple try after some excellent work from Chris Gorman, Fraser Morris and Tony Stevenson. Another conversion was notched up to leave the score a comfortable 28-6. Saints were now hunting the 4th try bonus point. This was achieved in some style when a sweeping move, started in their own 22 and care of the pack, was ended with a try from centre James Ford touching down wide left, but only after all the backs had handled the ball during the attack. This really was total rugby.

Fullerians, now back to 15, were determined to salvage something. However, again when pressing in Saints 22, yet another hard hit dislodged possession. Quick hands gave the ball to Ford and with an overlap created and wing following wing, the gap was there for the the St. Albans centre to exploit. With a full 70metres in front of him the foot race was on but there was never any danger and he dotted down under the posts. The Kentish conversion racked up the 40 points. To their credit, in the last 5 minutes Fullers really went for it and deserved their try, care of a forward drive, albeit only a consolation.

St. Albans XV - Kentish, Satchell, Ford, Grove, Townson, Alderton, Deane; Weldon, Hume, Lemiere, Morris, Gorman, Monaghan, Stevenson, Huddleston. reps - Hayes, Middleton, Trude.