Rugby Union
Saints overcome Brackley

Rugby St Andrews 13 Brackley 0

Midlands Three East (South)

A TRY in each half proved enough for Saints to stay in touch at the top of the table as they recorded a hard fought victory against Brackley on Saturday.

Saints head into the Christmas break in third place, four points behind Biggleswade in second and eight adrift of leaders Northampton BBOB but after recording three losses at the start of the campaign they will have been delighted to bounce back with eight straight wins.

Saints’ pack toiled away, winning their own ball comfortably as well as securing strikes against the head in the scrum and disrupting the visitors’ line-outs.

Brackley made a good job of spoiling any quick possession though and put the backs under constant pressure, making it difficult to get the ball out wide.

Chances came and went as Saints struggled to handle a greasy ball but far too often they took the wrong option or gave a penalty at a crucial moment.

Karl Chaplow eventually crossed for the first try and captain Paul Farr touched down in the second half when the pack drove over from a five-metre scrum. Both conversions were missed but Lee Hersey did add a penalty in between the tries.

THE 2nds had to settle for a Warwickshire One 7-7 draw at Broadstreet 3rds but felt they should have returned with more.

The 3rds were beaten 20-0 at Alcester 2nds with injuries taking their toll on the side and the Colts went down 43-0 against Southam Colts.