Match Report – St Andrews Mens 1stXV vs Loughborough Mens 3rdXV
On the back of a comprehensive win in Sheffield, the Saints returned to Uni Park to take on Loughborough 3s in what proved to be a challenging end to end encounter against the second team in the table. The team sheet was largely unchanged from the previous week, but it featured the return of injured number 8 Oliver Finlayson-Russell and hooker Archie McCusker. In addition, Thomas Russell had recovered from his injury sustained in the last match against Loughborough and slotted into the centres, hungry for revenge.
The teams lined up on the cold Uni Park Astro as Schreuder kicked off towards the left. The ball was knocked backwards by Joe Van Hoffen after an excellent leap and claimed by second-row partner Callum Fitzhenry. From the opening minutes, it was clear that the Saints intended to play with intensity and attacking intent. Some slick offloads began to expose cracks in the Loughborough defence but the Saints could not breach the purple wall. Loughborough made better use of their early possession. A well-executed phase of play opened space on the right wing, allowing their winger to break down the line and offload to a support player, who dotted down in the corner. Their kicker was unable to convert, leaving the scoreline at 5-0.
From the restart, Loughborough gathered the ball but kicked it straight out, giving the Saints a line-out on the 22. Although the maul was stopped early, forcing Swanson to play the ball, the Saints’ pack inched closer to the try line with powerful carries from David Brown and Mark McKay. A penalty was awarded from this sustained pressure, and Schreuder kicked to the corner. Unfortunately, the Saints dropped the ball in the line-out, allowing Loughborough to exit with a scrum.
Loughborough regained momentum after a strong break by their hooker. However, a lack of support allowed Schreuder to bring him down. Despite this, Loughborough earned a penalty for a high tackle, which their number 20 converted, extending their lead to 8-0.
Their next attack, starting from a midfield scrum, brought them within five metres of the Saints’ try line, but a crucial knock-on allowed the Saints to win a turnover. However, Loughborough soon regained possession after another penalty, and a powerful line-out maul set up their stand-off for a perfectly executed cross-field kick. Their winger, left wide open, scored Loughborough’s second try of the match, with the conversion extending the lead to 15-0.
As the first half progressed, the Saints searched for their opening try to reduce the deficit. Their efforts were aided by a yellow card for Loughborough’s number 16, who was penalized for a tip tackle near the 22. Schreuder kicked to the corner, and the forwards drove close to the line. Reinforcements from Thomas Russell and Andrew Daly helped, with Daly eventually crossing the whitewash for the Saints’ first try. Schreuder missed the conversion, bringing the score to 15-5.
The Saints struck again after a Loughborough knock-on in midfield. Taking advantage of the free play, Mark McKay charged forward, linking up brilliantly with Thomas Russell. Quick hands from Swanson and Schreuder eventually found James Murray, whose opposite man slipped, leaving Murray with an easy run-in for the Saints’ second try. Schreuder’s conversion attempt was narrowly wide, making it 15-10.
Loughborough sought to respond but struggled against a robust Saints defence. A penalty conceded by Loughborough on halfway gave the Saints an opportunity. Although they couldn’t capitalize immediately, their pressure soon paid off. A clever cross kick by Schreuder set up Jamie Thomson for his first try of the season, levelling the score at 15-15 after Schreuder missed the conversion.
Momentum swung again as Loughborough’s number 20 darted towards the try line. Schreuder made a desperate tackle, but it was deemed illegal, resulting in a penalty try and a yellow card for Schreuder. This late first-half drama left the Saints trailing 22-15 at the break.
Loughborough’s number 20 started the second half, kicking it high before it was claimed by the rising Fitzhenry, a trend that repeated itself throughout the game. The exit kick by Swanson to relieve the pressure was caught well by Loughborough, who continued to press for another try with a strong carry from their left winger. The ball was handed to the Loughborough forward pack as they tried to break down the ruthless Saints defence. However, the Saints held firm, scrambling to hold the ball up over the line. However, following the goal line drop out, Loughborough scored a routine try, one which I am sure the Saints will have been disappointed to concede. Number 20 fired the ball into the path of their number 16, who picked his spot in the Saints defence and went under the posts to score. The conversion was successful, bringing the score to 29-15.
From the restart, it was again a Saints player who rose to claim the ball, with Joe Van Hoffen climbing high to secure possession. The Saints tried to respond with determined carries from the likes of Thomas Russell driving them forward. A penalty deep in Loughborough’s half provided an opportunity for a maul try, but this time Loughborough resisted and regained possession. Despite the Saints’ efforts, they could not capitalise on their early second-half possession.
Loughborough pushed to extend their lead, with their winger, number 22—one of their key outlets—carrying the ball up to the Saints’ 22-metre line, demonstrating their quality. This opened up space for the ball to be worked wide to the opposite winger. Some slick interplay between him and Loughborough’s blindside flanker culminated in a try down the right wing. With the conversion successful, the score moved to 36-15, leaving the Saints with a mountain to climb.
Once again, Van Hoff rose to dominate the aerial battle from the restart, striving to get the Saints back into the game. The return of Chris Schreuder from the sin bin added a spark to the Saints’ attack. Schreuder and Dave Macrae combined well, setting up James Murray down the right wing for a promising run. A strong carry by Van Hoff in the midfield, coupled with a penalty advantage, kept the Saints on the front foot. However, crossing in the play brought the attack back. Schreuder’s kick to the 5-metre line set up another Saints maul that drove towards the try-line but fell just short. Swanson fed Schreuder, who was tackled inches from the line, and a penalty advantage allowed for a free play. Swanson fired the ball wide to Murray, who stepped past his opposite number with finesse to score in the right corner. Schreuder was unable to convert, leaving the score at 36-20 in Loughborough’s favour.
From the restart, Liam McLoughlin collected the ball, allowing the backs to set their structure. Deep in their own 22, Schreuder called for the ball and passed it to Macrae, who made a sharp 10-yard break. Macrae offloaded to Andrew Daly, who surged forward before linking up with Russell. Russell then found Jamie Thomson on the wing, who sprinted from halfway, beating four defenders to score one of the Saints’ tries of the season. The Saints crowd roared as the comeback seemed possible. Schreuder missed the conversion, leaving the score at 36-25 to Loughborough.
Van Hoff once again excelled at the restart, securing possession and gaining critical yards. After several phases, the ball found Murray, who attempted a chip-and-chase down the right wing but was unable to regather. Loughborough tried to play out of their 22, but Mark McKay’s excellent jackal secured a penalty, giving Schreuder another chance to kick to the corner. From the resulting line-out, Fitzhenry took the ball down, and Swanson fed Schreuder, who was stopped short. Russell, following up from the ruck, powered through two defenders to cross the try-line. Schreuder added the conversion, narrowing the gap to 36-32.
With momentum building, the Saints piled pressure on Loughborough. A penalty just shy of halfway allowed Schreuder to pinpoint a kick to the 5-metre line. The forwards set up another line-out maul, with Swanson eventually taking the ball out and delivering a defence-splitting pass to Schreuder, who dived into the corner to give the Saints their first lead of the game. Schreuder missed the conversion, but the scoreline now stood at 37-36 to the Saints.
As the game approached its climax, a scrum near halfway was awarded to the Saints after Archie McCusker went down with cramp. Schreuder called for the ball, kicking over the high Loughborough defence for Thomson to chase. The pressure applied led to a Loughborough defender shepherding the ball out, granting the Saints a 5-metre line-out. The forwards drove the maul, with captain Fergus Cato finishing the move. Schreuder converted to take the Saints 8 points clear at 44-36, as the Saints Ultras erupted in celebration.
Loughborough, however, were not done. Their number 19 found a gap in the weary Saints’ defence, darting in from the 22 to score under the posts. The conversion reduced the Saints’ lead to a single point at 44-43, memories of Manchester Met creeped in to view. With the clock in the red, Loughborough pressed deep into Saints territory. Their number 20 lined up a drop kick to snatch the win, but it drifted narrowly wide, signalling the full-time whistle and a dramatic victory for the Saints.
From the sideline, Toby and I thought everyone played superbly. My Man of the Match was Joe Van Hoffen for his dominance in the air and crucial contributions to the maul tries. Toby’s pick was David Macrae for his pivotal role in igniting the Saints’ attacking flair and setting up some fantastic moves.
Full-time score: 44-43.