Rugby Union:
Saints suffer a harsh defeat

Stewarts and Lloyds 26 Rugby St Andrew 9

Midlands Three East (South)

A LATE flurry of points condemned Saints to a harsh looking defeat on Saturday and left them pointless for the first time this season.

The hosts went into the game with five wins out of five in their league fixtures so far and with conditions always likely to favour their pick and drive tactics, they were favourites to make it six out of six.

Ultimately that proved to be the case but Saints, who sit sixth in the table, made them work extremely hard for their victory and were hopeful of triumphing themselves going into the closing stages.

The visitors had the wind and the slope in their favour in the first half which allowed them to enjoy a territorial advantage but they had to settle for going in level at 6-6 at the break with both sides kicking two penalties.

There were a few half chances for the visitors to cross the try line during the opening 40 minutes but they went begging against the meanest defeat in the league which meant it was always going to be tough for them after the break when the elements were against them.

Ryan Taylor gave them hope with a penalty but the hosts kept Saints pinned back in their own half for long periods after that.

With the pressure beginning to grow, Saints started to miss more and more initial tackles and that proved decisive as the retreating defence gave away a string of penalties.

The hosts capitalised with three late tries, leaving Saints to wonder what had hit them as they trudged off at the final whistle with nothing to show for their efforts.

Another tough test lies in wait for Saints on Saturday when they entertain top of the table Stockward Park.

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