Injuries and penalties spoil a good performance!

On a bright afternoon St Albans played host to Hammersmith & Fulham, a team who in the final game of last season inflicted a heavy defeat on Saints, this was a chance to make amends.

The game started at a swift tempo with both sides probing the others defences, only to find some stout tackling preventing either team from making headway. On fifteen minutes Saints had a scrum ten meters inside the H&F half, the ball was won and with a slick miss move fed to Dan Townson on the left wing, he took it at pace but was faced with a line of defence, he outstripped his winger and put in a subtle chip kick which he then fielded for the touch down. The try went unconverted but Saints had the lead 5 - 0.

H&F then applied their own pressure and hefty tackles were being made to stop their progression, from one such tackle Saint's lost their skipper and fly half, Harry Trude to a mild concussion, Jamie Hissey came on as replacement and Saint's had to reorganise their back line.

H&F maintained the momentum, St Albans gave away a penalty, which was kicked into touch and from the resulting line out Hammer's spun the ball down their back line for a fine try in the left corner. A difficult kick gave them the conversion points and they now had their noses in front 5 - 7.

Just before the half hour Saint's injury problems worsened when debutant, Declan Hallam, had to leave the field with leg problem, Jack Ransome coming on as a replacement. H & F took full advantage of Saint's organisational issues and kept up the pressure, but they found St Albans resilient with a solid scrum and good ball distribution.

The H&F back line was looking more menacing and following a incisive break the ball went loose only for the Hammer's support player to clear up and score to the right of the posts with an unconverted try. They were feeling more confident with their lead now 5 - 12.

St Albans response was almost immediate as half time beckoned, pressure form Saint's caused H & F to give away a penalty which was kicked to touch well inside the visitors half, Saint's won their own line out and tried to find a way through, John Sayers made yards to release the excellent Fraser Morris who powered over for a great try. Without their regular kicker, lost to injury, another new boy, Kiwi, Hayden McBride stepped up to the plate and slotted the conversion. Half time arrived with the score even at 12 - 12.

The second half started and H&F were about their business to get back in front, this they did when Saint's were adjudged offside, and with the resulting penalty in kickable distance, secured the three points giving them a 12 - 15 advantage. There now followed a period of interrupted play as the speight of St Albans injuries mounted, first prop Dave Hayes had to leave the game, only to return after treatment. More seriously Saint's lost fullback, Sam Millicheap who had been having a fine game, to an ankle twist.

Again St Albans were forced to change their back line and play people out of position, H & F needed no second invitation and piled on the pressure. A high tackle from Saint's gave away another penalty within kicking range which was duly converted to give H&F a 12 - 18 lead.

Saint's rallied with the ever impressive Jeza Walmsley making thrusting breaks and good ground, from one such move H&F conceded a kickable penalty, Hayden McBride took responsibility and added the three points which brought St Albans back to 15 - 18.

The game changing moment duly arrived when after more Saint's attacking , Hammers put in a high kick down field, the ball was allowed to bounce and the H& F backs streamed through to collect the ball and cross the line for unconverted try. Hammer's looked assured at 15 - 23.

St Albans dug deep and showed real grit in trying to keep the game alive, a fine example of this was when after a slick H&F backs move their centre saw the goal line in front of him only to be hauled down by an excellent covering tackle from prop, Fraser Morris. Saint's adrenaline flowed and moved play back into the H&F half, from a scrum Hammer's were penalised and the now ever reliable Hayden McBride made it three from three, the score was now 18 - 23.

Sadly for Saint's, H&F were not about to capitulate and fought back to win a penalty of the own deep in St Albans territory, this again they duly converted making the score 18 - 26.

Once more St Albans rallied but time was not on their side and the whistle quickly blew for the end of the game.
This was the best performance of the season for Saint's against a very competent and well drilled side, and it will give them heart for next week's local derby with arch rivals Harpenden.

Final Score: St Albans 18 - Hammersmith & Fulham 26