Match Report – St Andrews Mens 1stXV vs Northumbria Mens 1stXV
There was an air of excitement on the sidelines as a healthy crowd prepared to get their first look at the St Andrews mens 1st XV in their final preseason game against Northumbria. The conditions were ideal: sunny with a light breeze. The crowd could sense that a good match was to come.
Northumbria started as expected, playing off 9 with a brutal directness, looking to get their large pack into the game. However, the Saints defence was imposing early on, winning collisions and forcing Northumbria into kicking away possession right into the hands of Chris Schreuder, who controlled the game early on from the boot in what was a scrappy start. The Saints attack took a while to get going, missing a good chance to put points on the board from set pieces in Northumbria’s 22. For all the talk about their pack it was Northumbria’s backs who impressed early on with successive line breaks off the scrum. The saints were saved from conceding early by some stellar cover defence from second year winger Matthew Cingel.
When fourth year crash ball 12 ,and club captain, David Macrae was brought on, the scrum defence tightened up, smothering the Northampton back line and generating some turnovers. The Saints’ attack was sparked into life by Campbell Swanson, who used dazzling footwork around the ruck to get in behind the Northumbria line and with the front foot ball, the pack began to make large dents in the Northumbria defence. Fresher Oliver Finlyson-Russell impressed early on, carrying with serious intent and damaging result.
The Saints scored the first try of the game. A ridiculous 50-22 by Schreuder (which he kicked from his own 22) gave Saints the platform. After a few phases, slick hands from the backs put masters student and winger James Murray in the corner, however Schreuder was unable to convert the difficult kick.
Northumbria were next to score. A back line full of pace that had looked threatening all day picking off a ragged kick chase line to score from their own 22, their fly half adding the extra points to give them the lead.
Debutant Jamie Thompson grew into the game, showing what he can bring to this team. He shrugged off multiple defenders on an exciting line break and made some excellent tackles that earned a roar of appreciation from the sidelines. While he may be a fresher, it is clear that he is a dangerous presence on the pitch, a fresh weapon for coach Dave Morris’ arsenal. Unfortunately Jamie’s debut was cut short by a nasty cut to the head. However, even with blood streaming down his face he began jogging back towards the action. I hate to use the word aura, but Jamie’s at this moment was off the charts. Jamie forewent washing the blood off his face before sending a multi-snap to every girl on his phone, which proved more than anything that he did not get a concussion.
I had to rush off for a rowing trial, but my mate and Saints Rugby Report cofounder George Ness was there to cover the second half of the game.
As the game moved past the 50-minute mark the Saints continued to progress and gain momentum whilst in attack. A promising break from the backs allowed Matty Cingel to get his hands on the ball as he flew down the left wing only to be tackled into touch just metres short, however once again showing the speed demon he truly is.
The forwards from both sides met at a lineout deep within the Northumbria half, the ref stumbled and took a trip sending the crowd into hysterics, which start the beginning of more crowd participation, helping to push the side on.
A dominant midfield scrum allowed for a creative back move where the ball reached the left wing and is taken up to the five-metre line. The ball reached the hands of the forward pack to try and crack the strong Northumbrian defence, however, the chance was not capitalised on as the ball was held up over the try line. The crowd sensing the Saints momentum build up a fresh wave of encouragement from the sidelines.
As the teams swapped for the the final third once again the Saints found themselves putting even more pressure on the Geordie side. A lineout deep into the Northumbrian half was followed by a very tame exit from the scrum half, showing signs of nerves for the Northern team.
A yellow card for a high shot was handed to Northumbria leading to a huge momentum swing in the Saint’s favour. The game was reaching its final stages as the Saints started to break down the Northumbrian defence following some encouraging phase play. Offload led to offload on the right wing where a dazzling bit of joue was finished off by the electric James Murray. The full-time whistle has been blown and the Saints are allowed to celebrate a great 18-7 win against last season’s league champions. All set for Varsity.
The scrums were very stable throughout the game, even with the rotating subs and different combinations used by Coach Dave Morris. David Brown showed us all we wanted to see: dominant during scrum time with some impressive and carrying of the ball.
While it is important not to overreact to pre-season games, it is clear that this team has the potential to have a very special season. The key foundations of communication, skill, work rate, integrity and trust are already visible in spades, now it is just about familiarising with each others play stiles and getting to know the game plan, all of which can come through coaching. The fight is there already, and that is uncoachable. When the team clicked on Wednesday they left a quality Northumbria side in the dust. Regardless of selection the team that travels down to the Hive Stadium will most definitely fight for the full 80 minutes. Will Edinburgh be able to weather the Saints Storm?
By Toby Santry and George Ness