On Saturday, the Saints of old assembled from all parts of the country to take on their local rivals in an entertaining and exhausting game of vet’s rugby. Filled with enough contest and quality to satisfy the large crowd and all involved it was a great start to a day that saw both clubs running three teams and over 100 players running out for social rugby in St Albans.

From kick off, it was Vees that found their feet first. Carrying the ball hard and forcing errors from the Saints as many adapted to new laws they didn’t know existed. The frequent blasts of the ref’s whistle were both a frustration and a relief to all involved as fitness fell behind intent on many occasions.

A well worked try by Vees was followed shortly after by another as Saints defensive organisation refused to hold on longer than four phases and when a third try was run in after 25minutes they game only looked to be heading in one direction. Saints however, had other ideas and the hard carrying of Mark, Ray and Donald in the forwards began to make inroads into the home sides defence. Dark arts in the ruck from Mick, Richard and special guest star Nathan Stuart saw the pendulum of penalty swing Saints way and just before half time Nathan burrowed over for the Saints first score. An unlikely conversion from JD followed and the score at half time was only 15-7 to the vees despite their dominance.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Vees generating quicker ball for their backs to use and Saints using forward runners before letting the backs join in. It was one of those infrequent backs forays by the Saints that lead to the next try as Solid set piece ball lead to...’a move’. Damo floated a beautiful miss pass Paul drew the defenders like flies to honey before releasing JD on the loop. Yards were made and Francis was unleashed. With work to do he rounded the final man and over the line for a brilliant finish. A missed conversion and the score was 15-12. Suddenly it was close and long dormant competitive spirits were awoken. Tackles were harder, rucks were more hotly contested and decisions were (politely) questioned!

Dave and Kevin carried the ball hard, Ian marshalled his troops from the unfamiliar position of 9 and fresh legs from Paul saw the Saints back in the Vees 22. Despite brutal defence, the Saints found a way through, and Mark crashed over. With 10 to go the score was 17-15 to the Saints.

The Vees fought back. Strong carries, fast ball, quick rucks (by the days standards) and they were hammering on the line. Good defence was undone by a sharp line by the vees centre, and they retook the lead 22-17. Vees looked like they would finish the game off as their excellent 10 made a break but a brilliant last-ditch tackle from fullback Dylan who had travelled from Cornwall for the game kept it a one score game. The Saints lifted themselves one last time and forced an error which gave them one last opportunity. A series of attacks were repelled but eventually Vees ran out of defenders and slick hands through the backs saw a ‘definitely not forward’ pass find its way into Hillmans hands on the wing who touched down to bring the score to a thoroughly appropriate final score of 22-22.

A brilliant afternoon full of laughs and no little quality. The Vees were excellent hosts and the ref walked the tightrope of fun, safe and ‘play on’ perfectly. Well done the Vets.

Thanks to James D for the words and Mick for the images.

St Albans Rugby Club

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