The Saint
Saints triumph in game of two halves
Siobhan Dooley
Photo: Supplied
The Saints travelled to Glasgow on Wednesday 17th February to meet Glasgow Caledonia University for the third BUCS game of the season. Despite an indifferent second half, the Saints maintained their lead to win the game, bouncing back from their previous defeat against Robert Gordon University.
The Saints completely dominated the first half, demonstrating an impressive combination of attacking prowess and clinical edge that led to multiple tries and a home side desperately trying to get in sniffing-distance of their opponents elusive try line.
The Saints drew first blood when a neat midfield break from Sean Murchie led to the first scintillating try of the match with Stephen Sim adding the extra points. Shortly afterwards, Coleman (man of the match) fielded a poor clearance kick from Glasgow, although hassled by several defenders he managed to offload the ball successfully to Sims. He, in turn, fed the ball to St. Andrews answer to Takudzwa Ngwenya (or if you prefer, the more well-known Habana), Guy Hartley, who then grounded it with aplomb. This time, Sims didnt quite hit the sweet spot and missed the uprights. The Saints continued to build on their solid start, increasing the pressure until some [impressive] footballing flyhacking by Rodgers and Pete Williams created another try-scoring opportunity that Coleman didnt allow to pass by. Another five points added, as the try remains unconverted. The forwards working hard in the background made their presence felt when a strong line-out generated quality link play between Calum Pony Stove and Nick Richardson. Richardson then breezed through a gap for a try with Sims adding the extras, giving the Saints an emphatic 24-0 lead at halftime
The official match report states the first half tries attest
to the quality of attack and counter-attack that the Saints
are capable of. However, greater attention needs to be,
and will be given in the upcoming training sessions, to
defensive organisation in both the tight and wide areas.
As after racing out to a 24-0 lead at halftime, the Saints
poor defence let the home side back into the game,
allowing them to score three tries. However, the visitors
snuffed Glasgow Caledonias 19 point second half
fight-back with another well-worked try. This time
orchestrated by the backline whose offloading and
quality link play placed the ball firmly in the hands of
Calum Ferguson, who then fended off several defenders
to cement their lead with another five points. The score
line remained the same until the final whistle was blown.
Many fixtures have been postponed due to the weather,
including a crucial game between the St Andrews 1sts
and the St Andrews 2nds, both of whom compete in the
BUCS Scottish Conference.
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