Match Report – St Andrews 1st XV vs Newcastle 2nd XV
It was an exciting day for the club with a big game up against Newcastle 2s. The team saw a few changes from the game against Heriot-Watt with the arrival of Will Wright at tight-head, as well as Captain Fergus Cato at open-side and Mark Mckay returning at number 8. The back line saw the familiar faces of Ollie Bloore, Campbell Swanson, Angus Mather and Andrew Nash come back in to start again.
It was a particularly exciting day for 1st XV Captain Fergus Cato who was making his 50th appearance for the Saints, in what has been an extremely successful and impressive journey in Saints colours.
St Andrews got off to an extremely quick start as expected. Some solid early structure opened up space on the left-hand side with a great combination between South African’s Chris Schreuder and Andrew Daly providing Jamie Thomson with a gap in the Newcastle defence. Thomson still had lots of work to do from the 20-metre line but made it look so easy by gliding past defenders and scoring over the whitewash. Schreuder converted and the score was 7-0.
The Saints continued to pile on the pressure onto Newcastle as they found themselves deep within the Newcastle half. The ball was in the hands of the forward pack trying to batter down the Newcastle defence until a penalty was awarded for not rolling away. A maul try opportunity awaited the Saints however after a rampant drive the ball was held up and Newcastle could relieve the pressure.
The goal-line drop-out was carried back deep into Newcastle territory through robust carries from Liam McLaughlin and Mark McKay. Eventually, the withstanding Newcastle defence gave in and Joe Van Hoffen was able to pick his spot and reach over the line to score the Saints second early try of the match. Iceman converts making it 14-0.
An early replacement saw Ruari Mavin replace Archie McCusker. Newcastle were beginning to show signs of bouncing back as a few penalties from a very powerful scrum helped push them up to the 5-metre line. Their forward’s pack was then handed the ball to try and break down the vigorous Saints defence but in the end, it was their stand-off who was able to get his hands on the ball amid an advantage and score Newcastle’s first try of the game from short distance. Conversion was missed taking the scoreline to 14-5.
However, the Saints were quick to prevent any sort of momentum boost for Newcastle with two more tries before halftime.
A great run from centre James Murray helped to surge the Saints up the pitch. With the ball out wide it allowed the Saints to set up some quality structure playing from right to left. Eventually, the space opened up out wide and Schreuder was able to throw a looping pass into the hands of Andrew Nash who could score with ease in the corner. Schreuder could not convert leaving the score at 21-5.
From kick off the Saints were able to score another excellent team try. Joe van Hoffen started the lovely team move with a great combination between him and Ruari Mavin, seriously impressive offload play, which helped to create acres of room on the right-hand side of the pitch. James Murray was able to make the best use of this as he used his lightning pace to fire the Saints try line bound, he was then able to offload to Jamie Thomson who could then free his hands and feed it to winger Campbell Swanson who had a clear run in to mark off a great team try. From kickoff to the try line, proper rugby. Schreuder could not convert making the halftime score 26-5 to the Saints. Great Half.
It was the Saints who started the second half well once again as substitutions Callum Brown, Peter Stanwood and David Brown brought some extra energy onto the field. A scrum in the depths of the Newcastle half allowed Ollie Bloore to find a gap in the defence and make some crucial yards. Quick ball at the ruck meant that Newcastle could not set up defence in time so the Saints made good use of it by using hands out to the right until James Murray could glide over. Kick was converted making it 38-5.
It was Newcastle that would score next as some nice passing play between their backs set up a crash ball line for their centre to take advantage of and pick his spot. Conversion was made, 38-12.
Saints were once again able to limit the momentum that Newcastle thought they were gathering through another try from James Murray. Off of the back of a forceful maul drive from the St Andrews pack, Chris Schreuder fizzed a cracking ball into a tight line from James Murray sending him into acres of space and handing him his second try of the match under the posts. An easy kick for Schreuder, 38-12.
The game was coming to the final 20 minutes and some tired legs were on the pitch. A few silly penalties and continuous attacks from Newcastle eventually gave them a try after a lineout from the 5-metre line that was driven over. Kick was good taking score to 38-19.
Archie McCusker was back on for the last 15 to try and see the game out which he did well by combining with fellow front rower David Brown to make lots of yards up the pitch. The ball got into the hands of Fergus Cato who only had one thing in his mind and that was the try line. Beating a few men to get there, he was able to barge himself over and claim a try on his 50th cap, a great way to mark such an occasion. 45-18 after a successful conversion.
Newcastle claimed the last points of the game with their forwards using the last of their energy until one of them crept over the line to close the game off at 45-26 to the Saints. A great performance from the Saints in what was a crucial game for a good position in the league.
After the full-time whistle had gone I asked Captain Fergus Cato for a few words; “The rugby club has been a huge part of my university experience over the past four years, both on and off the field, Reaching 50 appearances for the 1st XV is a special milestone, and celebrating it with a win made it even better. Playing this many games alongside some of my best mates has been an incredible experience.”
Full-time 45-26