Match Preview

Last week saw the Saints secure the Club’s first ever win at Beggars Brook scoring six tries in the process. While it is true to say that North Petherton are not quite the force they were from a few seasons ago, to return from Somerset with all five points is still an important landmark in our quest to become an established force in South West One West. Victory was built on a powerful first half performance that saw the Saints lead 26-3 at the break. This was arguably the best 40 minutes of rugby the Saints have delivered this season with a real cohesiveness between forwards and backs. Pethy should be commended for the way they competed in the second half to prevent being completely overrun underlining the quality of teams at level six. The fact this was achieved with six changes in the pack over the last two games due to unavailability, while at the same time putting out a full Sinners squad of 22 that ran the lauded Redruth IIs to the final whistle in a 22-21 defeat is all the more remarkable. It underlines the strength in depth across the senior squad and in particular, how many Sinners are now pushing hard to grab an opportunity in a Saints shirt. Both Saints and Sinners are playing the same exciting style of attacking rugby and there is now real competition in every position. This will help to make sure that levels of performance do not drop below the high standards that have been set in first month of the season.

For match day six we welcome Old Patesians, the second club from Gloucestershire to visit Tregorrick Park this season for the first time. Old Pats may not be a familiar name to most Saints supporters, but they are a long-established club based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and believed to be one of the largest rugby clubs in the Southwest. The club was founded in 1913 by former pupils of Pate's Grammar School, where the game of rugby union had been played since 1906, hence the name "Old Patesians". They finished champions of SW1 East in 2017-18 but struggled to establish themselves at the higher level and slipped back down after just one season in the SW Premier. A mid-table finish in SW1 East during the curtailed 2019-20 season restored some stability. A rebalancing of the SW1 leagues has seen Old Pats make the sideways move from East to West but they have had a difficult start to the 2021-22 season. In the first three games Old Pats were on the wrong end of some high scoring games losing 42-29 at Lydney; 47-27 at home to Newent and 48-14 at North Petherton. There have been clear signs of tightening up in the last two games with narrow defeats at Wellington (24-21) and home to Sidmouth (18-13). Old Pats are experienced level 6 operators so the Saints will need to be on their mettle to ensure that their upward trajectory in form does not translate into a first win of the season.

Selection wise Kyle Marriott and the coaches have a lot of tough decisions to make ahead of gameday. Barring injury the backline is likely to remain unchanged, but much thought will be needed amongst the forwards with several recent absentees becoming available. Veterans Hugh Noott and Tony Knight carried their excellent Sinners form into try-scoring returns for the Saints at Pethy. Debutant Tom Daniel had a lively outing at openside, and Rory Jago again shone at number six landing another try. So there will be some difficult calls ahead of the final selection for Saturday.

The vagaries of the fixture list and the sad demise of Stroud RFC mean that after this weekend the Saints will not be at home again until 27th November! So make sure you come along on Saturday to cheers the boys on, the forecast is set fair at a positively balmy 16 C. The next time you see them the clocks will have been turned back; the leaves will have gone from the trees and the southwesterlies will be blowing!

COYS!
Haysey

Few things to remind you about:

Non-playing membership – Become a VP, Cardinal or ‘Supporter’ member and enjoy a raft of newly defined benefits, such as, for VP and Cardinal, your first couple of pints on us, entry into a free prize draw for a bottle of spirits at each Saints home game, function room discounts, discounted bar events, access to international tickets and more. Something exclusive to the VP package is a superb new ‘VP’ tie, in the new senior players award scheme colours. It really is worth becoming a member this season! Have a read for yourself by clicking HERE. At the moment you can join on match days by filling out 4 simple bits of info and paying over the bar. Ask Stu Widger or any member of the Exec you can find on Saturdays.

The ‘Buy a Brick’ 2021/22 Campaign - An exciting new opportunity to become, literally, part of the club for the 2021-2022 season. The new Saints supporters board is now in place on the walls that wrap pour main staircase, for everyone who enters the club to see, smile at and admire the humour and outright affection at this fantastic club! It’s just £25 for a single brick (if you join as a VP member then you get a brick as part of the fee), or £100 for a 4xbrick for businesses to use to show their support whilst highlighting their brand and presence. Bags of room for humour in this, with up to 4 lines per brick to get that message out there. More details HERE .

Walking Rugby - Everyone is welcome to come throw the egg-shaped ball around at a walking pace. Very simple rules with lots of laughs so it suits the complete and utter novice as much as the seasoned player. Fridays they meet at 6.20pm by the stand to get sorted to start at 6.30pm. Just wear something you can move easily around in and some trainers. More Details HERE

The 100 Club is an amazing and simple way to support the club. For just £5 a month you get to enter and win one of 3 cash prizes. It’s easy to enter so to find out more please click HERE