On a (very) cold, clear night at Woolams, the Veterans of St Albans assembled once more to take on the might of OAs in an action-packed game that entertained the large crowd that had gathered to watch old men do something they used to be good at only slower. Some had not pulled on boots for many a year whilst others continued to play regularly but all were willing to put their bodies on the line in a local derby that will always bring out the best in the St Albans rugby community.

Kick-off saw the home side dominate the first few minutes as their big ball carriers made inroads and Saint Albans gave away penalties as people adjusted to some of the new-fangled laws they had not previously played under. Excellent defence with some big hits from Donald, Sayers, Brent and Craig kept the home team out and some strong scrummaging from Praggers, Richard Marshall and Harry T allowed Saints to clear the lines. Stilly and JD began to pull the strings in a hectic opening and Mark Kentish and Jo Grove were set free out wide for big gains as the match opened up a little. However, OAs asserted their dominance again just before quarter time and despite great scrambling defence from Rusty and Duncan they found a way through and led 7- 0 as the quarter-time whistle went.

Into the second quarter and both sides rotated their squads. St Albans brought on 4 or 5 new players to freshen things up. OAs brought on 15! The second quarter followed the same pattern as the first. OAs had the majority of the possession with Saints defending and counterpunching. Bodies were on the line, breathing was heavy but neither side was able to break the line. until a moment of collective old age memory loss saw Saints forget to defend the back of the ruck and the home side were able to pick and go through to score and take the halftime score to 12-0 to OA's as both sides headed back into the changing rooms to try and warm up and regain some feeling in their aching old bones.

HT - OAs 12; Saints 0

The second half began with more changes and it was the Saints that came out of the changing rooms warmer. Big tackles from Grant brought cheers from The HAC cheerleader squad as Oli, Roy and Mark began making some real dents in the OAs defensive wall. Jo was nearly sent down the wing for the opening Saints score, but it was only a brief respite for the Old boys before Oli crashed over and Kentish conversion brought the score to 12 - 7. John McSharry, Roy Keightley and Richard Shaw were relentless in set piece and rucks and Saints period of dominance saw a second score as JD made a break and offloaded to Owen to plunged over the line. The accurate boot of Kentish saw Saints take the lead for the first time. Stilly was forced from the field and winger Danny stepped into 9 marshalling the troops well until he followed Still off injured. OAs pushed for a score just before the next quarter before a seismic hit from Brent stopped them dead on the line and the Saints ended the third quarter 14-12 up.

Age, weather and the physicality of the game began to tell on the saints as people were forced off the pitch and other came back onto the pitch out of position. Mick O'Shea to the cursed 9 shirt you say(our fourth 9 of the night)...Right away! The ever-rotating OAs machine once again changed and the fresher, but possibly colder, legs began to tell. At this point, everyone just wanted to get through the game. OAs were helping Saints with cramps on the floor. Saints were helping injured OA's up and still both sides launched themselves into each other like they were 15 years younger. The fresh legs and pressure finally told as OA camped on the Saints line before a well-taken try saw them regain the lead. Two quick rucks and a switchback allowed their winger to squeeze over in the corner. Saints came again through Rusty, Mark, Sayers and Dubes but it was OA's who had the last say in the match crashing over from short range for the game to Finish 22-14.

FT - OAs 22; Saints 14

The camaraderie, physicality and quality of the match was everything that Vets rugby should be. A huge thanks to the ref and our hosts for putting on a great show and long may vets rugby have a place in Hertfordshire's rugby family.

Thanks to JD for putting the words together.

St Albans Rugby Club

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