BackSat 16 Sep 2017 · South Lancs & Cheshire Division 1
West Park (St Helens)
1st XV "Saints"
52
32
Keep the ball …
jamie kimpton18 Sep 2017 - 21:49
Rugby can be quite an uncomplicated game if played properly … When you receive the ball do all in your power to protect it , build pressure on your opposition by asking questions of the defence and when the opportunity arises take it and punish them .
Saints were beaten by a better West Park side on Saturday who managed to control the ball and from 1-18 were more comfortable with the ball in hand . It will be a tough day at the office when the opposition front 5 are happy and available to receive the ball at all times and are adept at the offload in the tackle !
The weather held fair on a bright St Helens afternoon and the travelling Saints took their place on the bank having been Jusitn’d over lunch following his recent summer soirees to Talacre beach ..
The home side started brightly and Saints coughed up early possession allowing WP To take an early 5-0 lead . Saints were quick to respond with a penalty on 7 mins from Sammy Russell .
The hosts began to take control of the game and were rewarded with a 20th minute try from Ainsworth who powered over with Rosney completing the extras to take a 12-3 lead . Saints began to get a foothold as Russell probed into the WP midfield and on 22 minutes following a quickly taken pen Campbell Clayton scored to make it 8-12 and on 37 mins Charlie Hough crossed for Saints with Andy Cumming converting12-13 going into the break “game on” , let’s keep the ball and see the half out , Park had different ideas and again capitalised on Saints mistake to score a converted try from Rosney who duly obliged with the extras on 40mins to take a 19-12half time lead.
A few home truths from the Saints management and the second half was underway. Park scored another converted try on 44 mins through Cozens , Saints responded with a well taken Liam Sadler try, Andy Cummings adding the extras 26-20. The next 15 minutes put pay to any chance of the travelling team winning this fixture as they allowed WP too much space and respect , allowing offloads and falling off tackles, Park managed 3 unanswered tries taking the score line to 47- 20 in their favour .
John Clarke managed to burrow over the line for the visitors on 67 minutes following a period of sustained pressure , but Park put the game to bed in the 70th minute with Ainsworth scoring his second of the day . The home side had a brace of yellow cards pointed in the direction of No18 on 71mins & captain Cozens on 72 , whilst not to be outdone Saint’s Williams also took a breather on 75mins .
After all handbags were put away Jon Armstrong finished the game with a well taken try for the visitors bringing the final score to 52-32 in favour of the hosts who were the better team on the day.
Saints will learn valuable lessons from this but none more important than the ball is precious, try and keep it for as long as possible ..
The weather held fair on a bright St Helens afternoon and the travelling Saints took their place on the bank having been Jusitn’d over lunch following his recent summer soirees to Talacre beach ..
The home side started brightly and Saints coughed up early possession allowing WP To take an early 5-0 lead . Saints were quick to respond with a penalty on 7 mins from Sammy Russell .
The hosts began to take control of the game and were rewarded with a 20th minute try from Ainsworth who powered over with Rosney completing the extras to take a 12-3 lead . Saints began to get a foothold as Russell probed into the WP midfield and on 22 minutes following a quickly taken pen Campbell Clayton scored to make it 8-12 and on 37 mins Charlie Hough crossed for Saints with Andy Cumming converting12-13 going into the break “game on” , let’s keep the ball and see the half out , Park had different ideas and again capitalised on Saints mistake to score a converted try from Rosney who duly obliged with the extras on 40mins to take a 19-12half time lead.
A few home truths from the Saints management and the second half was underway. Park scored another converted try on 44 mins through Cozens , Saints responded with a well taken Liam Sadler try, Andy Cummings adding the extras 26-20. The next 15 minutes put pay to any chance of the travelling team winning this fixture as they allowed WP too much space and respect , allowing offloads and falling off tackles, Park managed 3 unanswered tries taking the score line to 47- 20 in their favour .
John Clarke managed to burrow over the line for the visitors on 67 minutes following a period of sustained pressure , but Park put the game to bed in the 70th minute with Ainsworth scoring his second of the day . The home side had a brace of yellow cards pointed in the direction of No18 on 71mins & captain Cozens on 72 , whilst not to be outdone Saint’s Williams also took a breather on 75mins .
After all handbags were put away Jon Armstrong finished the game with a well taken try for the visitors bringing the final score to 52-32 in favour of the hosts who were the better team on the day.
Saints will learn valuable lessons from this but none more important than the ball is precious, try and keep it for as long as possible ..
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