Match Preview

This is the first match preview of this season and indeed the first one for over 550 days. We simply had no matches to preview, then, when rugby started again 3 weeks ago, we needed to watch a few games to get tuned back into it…so welcome back!

Saints began the 2021-22 season against Devonport Services. It was a sizzling hot day in Plymouth when they met and Services took the victory, leaving the Saints coaching team with lots to take back to the training ground to work on. It’s fair to say they did not do themselves justice and potentially, it made them meaner and keener to put it right in front of a home crowd after such a long break. This they did with a convincing win over a Keynsham side that had beaten Sidmouth the previous week, Sidmouth being a side and club we know enough about not to sniff at anyone beating them, and earning a bonus point in the process.

That score was 42-10 to Saints and a crowd unused to perhaps even getting out of the house in some cases of late rose to the challenge of making some noise, and getting behind a team that needed that win.

Last week, and since Stroud have pulled out from the SW1W league, the Saints climbed onto a bus for one of our longest away trips to Lydney RFC in the Forest of Dean. 5 hours and 10 minutes later, due to horrendous traffic and accidents on most of the roads they travelled on, they stiffly climbed off and had just a short time to get warmed up before a 3.15pm KO. Kudos to them for having a great attitude when it came to blocking out any negativity this could have caused and simply just ‘getting on with it’.

And get on with it they did, for the third time in three games, scoring a try within the first 2 minutes. In all fairness it was an excellent performance against a spirited and very physical Lydney team who never stopped trying their best to turn this game around to their favour. Matt Shepherd scored the lions share of the points, helped by Kyle Marriott and Frazer Nottle, to leave the Severnsiders car park with a bonus point win 16-29.

Newent currently sit in second. They saw off North Petherton 44-22 in their opening game at home and since then have dispatched Old Pats away from home 27-47, and as mentioned earlier, and according to the match report, got a late win against Sidmouth, having trailed for some of the game.

The Saints are on home turf, with a home crowd, eager to prove themselves against the quality that resides within this league, Newent are unbeaten, and alongside Chew Valley, emerging as early front runners. This is going to be a fantastic clash at Tregorrick, where the forecast is for a warm, humid and overcast afternoon. Get here early to ensure car parking and lets 100% get behind this mixture of youth and experience, as they go again against a side we know are going to be our biggest challenge yet.

Match Day Notes:

Pre-Match Lunch - If you are coming to the pre-match lunch be in the Main Bar at 1230 and have a look at the seating plan to see where your party is situated before you walk through.

Ground Entry – Cash and contactless entry being offered again this time. If you have purchased a membership before 0900 on Saturday 25th Sept, It will be with the Gate Team so you can pick up on entry. No card means you will pay for entry.

If you want to buy membership to the club which comes with a raft of benefits this season. Please click HERE to find out more. We have made provision if you're finding GMS a bit tricky, that you can grab a 'membership over the bar' form from the table in the main bar, fill out just four pieces of information then pay over the bar, handing that form in.

Do not worry about having to stuff yourself before coming to the ground. Out catering partners, Salty Bay, will be serving pulled pork and brisket burgers and chips from the kitchen hatch, once the lunch has finished at 3pm. This service will extend till after the game for those of you sticking around for the Senior Players Award Presentations or the ‘shout’ we are planning for after. Just let the players go through for their food, especially Newent who have a long trek back home.

Senior Player Awards (SPAS) will start around 5.30pm, once the players have finished eating. Click HERE to check if your award is in. Let us know if you can’t come and we’ll keep it safe for a later presentation. You can email us on rugby.events@staustellrfc.co.uk if you have questions.

As mentioned above, we’ll try and have a ‘shout’ (sing-song) after the awards. Song sheets should be available if you’re a bit rusty at this but do have a go.

See you in the stands

Ian