Saints keep up the pressure on league leaders!

Good form continues but Actonians make them fight for win.

St. Albans returned to league action at the weekend with an away fixture at Actonians RFC. The home side had narrowly beaten Saints earlier in the season and both teams needed the points to maintain their league campaigns.

On a blustery day with a narrow pitch, the team that mastered the conditions quickest would have an advantage. Saints looked sharp from the outset, committed in the tackle and forceful going forward, on fifteen minutes with St. Albans camped in the Actonians 22 metre area Joe Shaw powered over for an unconverted try.

Saints kept up the pressure as the home side fought hard to keep them at bay, however they could do nothing to stop front row forward Harry Atherton crashing over to extend the visitors lead with a converted score.

With their “tails-up” Saints continued to apply pressure and when on the half hour Jacob Swain split the Actonian defence for an excellent try it appeared that St. Albans were in total control.

Actonians had other ideas and with their full back evading tackles and putting in a kick ahead they got themselves back into the game with a deserved try.
At the break St. Albans had the advantage 5 – 17.

The second half began with the wind increasing as both sides struggled to impose themselves. Saints pack, who had looked solid all afternoon, began to “boss” the tight play and following a period of sustained pressure were awarded a penalty try following an Actonians infringement whilst defending their try line.

The home side mounted a series of attacks but when one broke down Saints centre George Saunders fielded the ball and made a fine break to set up Adam Jasinski for a try that George Elliott converted.

St. Albans must have thought they’d done enough but Actonians were not going down without a fight. As when Saints played them earlier in the season the home team showed real character and claimed two scores before the referee blew the final whistle.

St. Albans came away with what they wanted, a win plus a bonus point but Actonians endeavour showed that there are no easy games in this league.

Final Score: Actonians 17 vs St. Albans 31