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Saints maintain winning run
Tony McArdle19 Jan - 11:15
Another bonus point victory on the road.
Saints still top after 14 rounds of rugby made the trip to 6th placed Blackburn RUFC. Blackburn on a 4-win run, are a well-established club and a full house of past players at their annual lunch welcomed the Saints travelling faithful. With bright sunny conditions and a heavy pitch it was Blackburn who looked up for the game with Saints under pressure and Blackburn throwing everything into attack but Saints defence held firm however after 16mins Blackburn finally crossed the line after a wayward pass was intercepted, with the conversion missed it looked like a long afternoon for Saints.
This score seemed to spur Saints on with solid scrum and line out it was Arthur Lennons mazy run from the 22 through 4 defenders before crossing the whitewash, converted by Baldwin 5-7. Saints now shifted into gear with powerful runs from the centres and wings, with a powerful scrum the ball found its way out to Cotgrave on the left wing who found the space to go over in the corner, before stepping around the defender and cutting in running up the deadfall line to make an easy kick for Baldwin. 5-14.
With Saints now on top they were applying pressure at every set play and when an overthrown line out throw was collected by Joe Sanders 5m out for an easy try, again converted by Baldwin and a 5-21 lead. With the HT just seconds away, it was Blackburn who collected a spilled ball to score in the corner, not converted and bring the score to 10-21 at HT.
Saints bonus point try came from Olly Dodd from close range in the corner again Baldwin converting for a 10-28 scoreline. Saints were really on top now with power in the scrum, good line out, power through the forwards and strong runs from the backs, Oscar Crowe was brought down 10m out the ball quickly picked up by captain Will Grabe to power over the line for the 5th try, converted by Baldwin and a healthy 10-35 lead.
Saints final score was from close range after several pick and go runs from the forwards, Sanders fell over the line, ball in hand to score his second of the game and converted by Baldwin 10 -42 and make the game safe with 12minutes left.
However, with the game safe the backs started to enjoy themselves a bit too much throwing the ball round only for it to be intercepted for a 50m run in for a converted try for Blackburn’s centre. Full time 17-42.
With another break next week, players coming back from injury will have an extra week before the next trip away to Long Eaton.
This score seemed to spur Saints on with solid scrum and line out it was Arthur Lennons mazy run from the 22 through 4 defenders before crossing the whitewash, converted by Baldwin 5-7. Saints now shifted into gear with powerful runs from the centres and wings, with a powerful scrum the ball found its way out to Cotgrave on the left wing who found the space to go over in the corner, before stepping around the defender and cutting in running up the deadfall line to make an easy kick for Baldwin. 5-14.
With Saints now on top they were applying pressure at every set play and when an overthrown line out throw was collected by Joe Sanders 5m out for an easy try, again converted by Baldwin and a 5-21 lead. With the HT just seconds away, it was Blackburn who collected a spilled ball to score in the corner, not converted and bring the score to 10-21 at HT.
Saints bonus point try came from Olly Dodd from close range in the corner again Baldwin converting for a 10-28 scoreline. Saints were really on top now with power in the scrum, good line out, power through the forwards and strong runs from the backs, Oscar Crowe was brought down 10m out the ball quickly picked up by captain Will Grabe to power over the line for the 5th try, converted by Baldwin and a healthy 10-35 lead.
Saints final score was from close range after several pick and go runs from the forwards, Sanders fell over the line, ball in hand to score his second of the game and converted by Baldwin 10 -42 and make the game safe with 12minutes left.
However, with the game safe the backs started to enjoy themselves a bit too much throwing the ball round only for it to be intercepted for a 50m run in for a converted try for Blackburn’s centre. Full time 17-42.
With another break next week, players coming back from injury will have an extra week before the next trip away to Long Eaton.
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