Round 4 saw Saints at home v Bowdon Rugby club recently bolstered by a few new faces ex premiership and internationals, Saints injury list has not changed much with no one returning to training.
With great conditions and pitch it was Saints who fired straight into the attack from the whistle with fast paced attacking rugby leaving the Bowdon defence scrambling to halt the wave after wave of Saints players a slick move out to the wing on the 22m line with the ball through hands before Dan woods weaved his way over in the corner to open the scoring on the 5 minute mark, converted by Baily Smith and giving Saints a 7-0 lead.
Again, from the restart it was Saints capitalising on every Bowdon mistake it was George Cole slipping a tackle and going from Saints 22 to cross the whitewash in the right corner conversion unfortunately missed but 12-0, a very solid start.
Saints again were picking up any loose passes or spilled balls and with the forwards putting pressure on the Bowdon pack, with the scrum starting to assert dominance and a superior line out it was only a matter of time before John Whittaker smashed over from short range under the sticks converted by Smith 19-0. With a huge tackle on Gregory from a clearly offside position and a late high tackle on Dodds which was seen by everybody except the referee with him having to leave the pitch and be replaced by Jones.
Bowdon seemed to try and up the physicality of the game Saints however carried on and stuck to their well-executed game plan. Sam Cotgrove found himself on the right of midfield and breaking through a couple of tacklers before finding space to go over, not before stepping the defender to touch the ball down under the sticks for an easy conversion for Smith 26-0.
Again, with the clock just on half time a powerful run by Holmes before slipping the ball to captain Will Grabe who went over from short range, conversion missed but 31-0 at HT.
Bowdon came out second half with renewed purpose, and with finally finding some space after a defensive error managed to go over in the corner to score not converted but putting them on the board 31-5. Bowdon buoyed by this continued to press however Saints defence against was superb and the Bowdon resurgence was floundering but not before a slack forced pass was intercepted when Saints were pressing to score and the Bowdon player went 50m to score under the sticks.
Changes came with Grant, Mutch and Friday all coming off the bench the game now consisted of Saints pressing forward but very solid defence from Bowdon, a real tussle on the 5m line saw Charlie Green smash over to score from close range converted 36-12.
Fresh legs were making a difference and with a last drive Ben Jones drove Holmes over to score and end the game 43-12. Solid defence coupled with a robust performance in the scrum and faultless line out gave a great platform to build on and the result leaves Saints top of the table on points difference. Leek away next.