Saints run in 7 tries for a convincing bonus point win.

Another impressive win for Saints. Gordon League started off well and denied Saints possession for the first 15 minutes. Against the run of play, Saints went from under pressure on their line to a breakaway try. This signalled the start of Saints becoming more dominant in the loose as they looked more menacing whenever they had some space to work in. Saints secured the bonus point before half time. In the second half it was more of the same as the strong running of Saints in the loose brought another 3 tries. Nonetheless, Gordon League were superior at the breakdown as the penalty count against us mounted up as they stuck manfully to the task in hand and ensured that the afternoon wasn't "a stroll in the park".

A very encouraging start to the season, which is beginning to give a "feel good" atmosphere throughout the club. Well done to all concerned - keep it up!

This more comprehensive report from Steve Cooke:-

After last week’s heroics against Frampton it was going to be difficult to clear our heads and focus on the next game and the challenge that Gordon League, who last week posted 40+ points on Painswick, would present.

With more work during the week on defence and rucking, the coaching team was hoping to keep the points conceded down from the previous 2 weeks. Saints kicked off up the slope and from the ensuing ruck League hoisted a box kick to Spiho who uncharacteristically spilt the ball. This led to a period of sustained pressure from the visitors who worked their way into Saint’s 22 but firm tackling, improved organization and a booming kick from Dan Brooker released the pressure.

Saints first try came 13 minutes into the game when the impressive John Booth found himself in the outside centre position and on the receiving end of quick ball. He showed a great turn of pace and a classic outside break and galloped over the line for a fine try that was converted by Brooker.

More saints pressure established a good position on League’s 22 and from the off the top ball from the ensuing line out Sipho Nobotana cut a fantastic line through the defence and unselfishly fed the supporting Tom Carter for a fine try under the posts that was converted by Brooker. The opposition were suffering from a lack of fitness and it seemed each time Saints had an attacking move and gained some momentum, one of the League players would pick up a knock requiring a fair few minutes of physio time to recover. More pressure in the visitors 22 and this time it was Brooker himself who boshed his was over, bouncing through 3 or 4 attempted tackles before finishing under the posts and converting hs own ty for a 24-0 half time lead.

There was plenty for Saints coaches to work on at half time as they were giving away penalties at both scrum time and at the breakdown. Foley came on for Gaulton who had done something to upset Mr Potterton – to the bafflement of most of the knowledgeable crowd - who thought the source of the problem was the League tight head whose shoulders seemed well below his hips at every engagement.

The second half saw League post their only points of the game from a simple kick after Saints had again been penalized at the breakdown. The directness of Saints game plan continued to trouble League defenders with many stoppages for injuries after good Saints attacking and continuity. It was good to see forwards working hard to get into the correct attacking positions enabling Spicer and Owens to call the shots. The re-jigged back row of Clarke, Plummer and Payner and the midfield of Brooker, Owens and Carter were working prodigiously and the tackling and press when League had the ball was relentless and effective. On 55 minutes Carter was replaced by the mercurial and vocal Capel and the hard working Payne by Matt O’Keefe making his first 1st team appearance after an impressive performance the previous week for the 2nds. Sipho moved into his preferred position of outside centre, scoring a fine try on the hour converted by Brooker.

By now League were hanging on by a thread as the Mary’s pack and front row in particular carried with brutal effectiveness at every opportunity. First Cooke, then Foley and none more so than Adam Bourton who scored a gem of a try from the half way line, bullocking his way through a host of would be tacklers to score under the posts.

Driven on by Skipper Wilkinson Saints sought to put further pain onto the sorry League and Farler who had, along with Wilkins on the other wing, shown great pace and balance seemed on his way to score under the posts when brought down by Capel’s supporting run. O’Keefe finished things off and ensured Saints reached the 50+ target set by Wilkinson.

A good performance, a step up from Frampton though not really a benchmark as as League were clearly struggling with personnel and injury issues. Next week away to Colstonian’s in the Combination Bowl will be a sterner test.

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