Rugby Union
Saints lose ground in promotion race

Daventry 15 Rugby St Andrews 10

Midlands Three East (South)

SAINTS' promotion hopes were dented on Saturday when falling to defeat at fourth placed Daventry.

It was from the ideal start to 2012 for the visitors who lost ground on the top two, now sitting seven points behind second placed Biggleswade in third.

The visitors had the slope in their favour in the first half but that was countered by a strong wind.

They spent long periods of the first 40 minutes in Daventry's half but struggled to find a way through the stubborn home defence.

Daventry had their first chance to apply some serious pressure when the visitors were temporarily reduced to 14 men and though Saints dealt with a series of attacks well initially, they eventually conceded a try.

Looking to respond quickly, Saints immediately set up camp in the Daventry half but were repeatedly thwarted by the home defence until the final few minutes of the half.

Twice the pack were held up over the line but with their dominance in the scrum they went for a pushover try, only to be stopped illegally which led to a penalty try. Ryan Taylor kicked the conversion for a 7-5 half time lead.

With the wind now at their backs, Saints put in some good long kicks to keep Daventry pinned in their own half but the hosts used their strong running backs to break out of defence well.

Saints extended their advantage in the 52nd minute when Taylor converted a long range penalty before another long kick to the corner moved play into Daventry's 22 but Saints' handling let them down.

Daventry won the scrum that followed and took advantage of some hesitant defending to reach halfway.

The move continued with good handling causing Saints problems and the hosts crossed in the corner to level things up in the 54th minute.

Saints tried to keep Daventry pinned in their own half in the final quarter but the home side ran strongly to break free.

With time running out Saints were camped in Daventry's 22 but when a pass went forward off a Saints hand the whistle blew and the visitors turned their backs to set up a defensive line without realising the referee had actually awarded Daventry a penalty.

The hosts took it quickly and by the time Saints had realised what had happened, Daventry were racing clear.

A brave chase saw Saints make a tackle but support was on hand for the winning try to be scored.

There were three minutes left as Saints got play under way again but Daventry secured possession and ran down the clock to take the victory.

THE 2nds picked up their first success in five attempts with a 27-19 Warwickshire One success against Kenilworth 2nds whilst the 3rds went down 27-10 at Barkers Butts 3rds in Warwickshire Four.