Cup Match Report – St Andrews 1st XV vs Dundee 1st XV
The first week back at university is one where students slowly settle back into their normal routines, and so the Saints rugby faithful made their way to the sidelines on Wednesday to watch the 1st XV continue its Scottish Trophy run against Dundee. There were a few changes to the regular starting lineup: Chris Black earned the starting spot at fly half; with Campbell Swanson and Oliver Finlayson-Russell away on international duty, Thomas Whyte and Matt Lamont started at scrum half and 8 respectively. Ruari Mavin also started at open-side flanker.
The Saints set the tone for the game early on, establishing the dominance of their forward pack with direct ball carrying. Captain Ferg Cato scored the first try of the game following a maul that powered its way over from 10 meters out. The second try of the game came after another maul put the Saints in the red zone, with the now familiar sight Joe Van Hoffen powering over from close range. Chris Black converted both kicks and the score was 14-0.
Unfortunately, the Saints new year’s resolution to improve under the restart hasn’t kicked in yet. From the nock on Dundee won a penalty, then off the quick tap and go John Patterson was judged to not be back ten before his tackle, and so saw a surprising yellow. Patterson had flattened the bloke: I think the referee just felt bad. Dundee capitalised on this foothold into the Saints territory and scored a neat try in the corner, which they converted. 14 – 7.
The next period was marked by the Saints attempts to play expansively being frustrated by sloppy passing. However, James Murray proved to be the spark. Breaking through from half-way he tore upfield to the 22. With Dundee’s defence scrambling, a strong carry from Ruari Mavin took the Saints close to the try line. Thomas Whyte did the rest, diving over from close range. 21-7.
Unfortunately, soon after Angus Mather was forced to exit the game after injuring himself during a suffocating Saints defensive effort. Freshman Jamie Thompson replaced him at outside centre.
Mather’s last action was to force a penalty which earned the Saints maul in the Dundee 22. When the Saints drive was stopped 10 meters from the try line, Thomas Whyte scored his second try of the night thanks to an outrageous dummy that sent the entire Dundee backs division chasing shadows as Whyte ran it in to the backdrop of laughter from the Saints faithful. Chris Black missed his first kick of the night, leaving the score 26 – 7.
Following this the Saints added another quick score. Chris Black, who had been challenging Dundee’s defence all game slipped through the line and took it up to the 22, before offloading superbly to Jamie Thomson, who cooly delivered a perfect pass to James Murray. Murray displayed his finishing prowess as he beat the scrambling defenders to the corner. 31-7.
Again, Dundee regained possession off the restart, working their way up field before scoring through a pick and go. The Saints sloppiness at the restart has allowed for huge momentum shifts throughout the season, letting teams back into games. 31-14 at half time.
In the first 20 minutes of the second half, the Saints put the game out of reach. Two quick tries from Cato and Callum Fitzhenry left the score at 43-14.
After Fitzhenry’s try Mark McKay and Euan Stuart came off the bench to replace Cato and Liam McLoughlin.
The closing stages of the game took on a scrappy edge and Joe Van Hoffen was shown yellow for a high shot. Making good use of their man advantage, Dundee kicked to the corner and after some good handling scored in the corner. 43-21.
Following this Jamie Thomson scored an intercept try from five meters out and soon after winger Thomas Russell finished impressively in the corner for another try. The Saints were totally in control. 55-21.
In the closing minutes, Callum Fitzhenry and James Murray both scored their second of the night, and the game finished 69-21. This was a very comprehensive victory from a reshuffled St Andrews team who are a strong contender to win the Cup. The natural fit of the replacements into the starting lineup show how deep this team is, a valuable quality in such as physical sport. Thomas Whyte was our MOTM for his crisp service all game and entertaining dummy try.