Saints 2nd XV rounded off their league season in some style on Saturday, running in eleven unanswered tries to beat fellow Hertfordshire club Hemel Hempstead (Camelot) and avenge their loss in the reverse fixture back in September. The two clubs previously met in the opening round, that day the visitors took a comprehensive victory thanks to their strong kicking game on a tough track and impressive ball carrying. This time round it was Saints who won the physical battle, playing a high tempo game that had their opponents stretched at every opportunity.

The opening quarter of the game was fairly even, Saints had the edge in the scrum but couldn't get their line-out functioning effectively with a number of throws either not straight or not reaching the target, Hemel by comparison had the better of the opening line-outs and kicked well to peg Saints back and put pressure on the back three. The Blue and Gold gradually began to make in roads into the visitors twenty two and eventually opened the scoring when a fantastic support line from Tom Webb enabled him to take a pass flat on the gain line going straight through a gap in the Hemel defence and dotting down under the posts. Charlie Osborn added a simple conversion to give Saints a 7-0 lead. Camelot then came back in attack after Saints failed to gather a restart, they kicked for the corner from the resulting penalty and built the phases from the line-out that followed. A number of strong carries where well defended and when they did eventually get the ball through the hands they had the home team stretched only to be denied by handling errors.

From the turnover ball Saints gained metres and it culminated in the try of the match. Following some quick hands Toby Sweeney exploited a gap the leave the visitors scrambling, Fraser Morris ran a support line off his shoulder and although he was brought down by the covering defender he was able to offload to Joe Shaw who put it through the hands to Harry Trude and Adam Jasinski who found George Trude on his shoulder to drop down in the far corner. Charlie was unlucky on this occasion not to get the extras, Saints ahead 12-0.

The third try came a couple of minutes later, this time the forwards carried hard off of George Trude creating space in the wide channels. Quick hands followed, Tom Webb drew the defender to create an overlap and gave a superb ball to Fraser Morris who attacked at pace, as the Hemel defence drifted the power and footwork of the winger broke the tackle to run in on the right for his first of the afternoon. Charlie added the conversion - 19-0. Saints had to be patient for the remainder of the half as the possession was even between the two sides and both teams did their share of attack and defence. Shortly before half time phase after phase of forward play eventually told as Adam Melton, who put in a superb performance all afternoon, got a well deserved score crashing over from close range. Charlie was unable to add the extras - 24-0. There was still time for one more try as Saints attacked once more from the restart, flowing rugby at its best finished off by Tom Webb for his second to go in at the break 29-0.

Saints spoke at half time about maintaining the intensity and opening up the game in the second half, although it was Hemel who started the brighter and would have got the first try was it not for some brilliant cover defence from Dan Cooper and Adam Jasinski. The Blue and Gold settled back into their rhythm after re gaining possession and opened the scoring with Toby Sweeney capping off a strong season with a try in the right hand corner to further stretch the lead, Charlie added two with his best kick off the game from the touchline to make it 36-0. This score spurred Saints to go on the offensive once more and at this point the floodgates began the open. Sydney Noad crashed over from close range two minutes later for his first and a couple of minutes after that a crossfield kick from Harry Trude was gathered by Ollie Stevenson out wide who used his footwork to beat the last defender and run in on the right, a single conversion added by Charlie, score 48-0.

The next ten minutes saw Fraser Morris score twice to complete his hat trick and take his season tally into double figures, and to make him overall top try scorer in the Blue and Gold this season. The first try was another backs move and with some quick hands the space opened up out wide for him to dot down, whilst the second came from the forwards carrying close to the line. The ball came out of the back of the ruck, Fraser gathered the loose ball and crashed over from close range. No extras added score 58-0. The last try of the game came from Sydney Noad for his second, a powerful carry to conclude the scoring, extras added - final score 65-0.

It has been a challenging few months for the team this season after promotion in 2020. There has been a noticeable step up in the quality of opposition, however, Saints have more than held their own and have the foundations to push on next season and hopefully achieve another promotion. The two areas to address to achieve success are continuity and consistency of selection and form away from home. The team have finished the season strong and will hope to continue this form when next season gets underway.