Rugby Union
Saints bag bonus point success

Rugby St Andrews 37 Deepings 8

Midlands Three East (South)

SAINTS secured another bonus point victory on Saturday to keep them third in the table and within sight of second placed Biggleswade who they trail by seven points.

Three penalties got the scoreboard moving in the early stages with Ryan Taylor striking in the fourth and 11th minutes, Deepings adding one of their own in-between.

The hosts created chances throughout the contest but too many times the final pass went astray allowing the opportunity to go begging.

They did find their way over the line after winning quick line-out ball though when Mark Brightwell crashed through a couple of tackles, Taylor added the extra two points.

Saints continued to make hard work of making inroads into Deepings’ defence despite dominating the tight forward exchanges.

As with the first try, a line-out provided them with their second score when Callum McPhillips stole possession and the pack proceeded to drive Craig Jones over the line.

That proved to be the last major action of a first half that was abruptly brought to an end when a serious injury to a Deepings player resulted in extended treatment before he was taking to hospital in an ambulance.

The second half started on the adjoining pitch and both sides started to throw the ball about with play moving from one end of the pitch to the other.

Saints soon crossed for another try with Simon Kilborn supporting well to take the final pass and go over, Taylor added the conversion in the 49th minute.

Deepings hit back with a try of their own in the 55th minute but that seemed to spark Saints into life.

Slick handling in the backs released Lee Hersey to race over for the bonus point try which Taylor improved and they were on the scoresheet again four minutes later when Jones was on hand to dive over for his second of the game after a good break by Jason Hare was stopped inches short.