Saints took a break from league action this week and hosted Northwich RUFC, who are setting the pace in South Lancs Cheshire, having like Saints only lost once this season, in the RFU Intermediate Cup, which eventually could see the Saints take to the hallowed turf of Twickenham.

Straight from the kick off Saints were on the front foot, and forcing Northwich onto the defensive, the home side should have took the lead as early as the first couple of minutes, as strong running from centre Kurt Maudling saw him break the line and pass inside to brother Gavin, with the line at his mercy he was pulled back by the referee who deemed the pass forward, to the consternation of the home crowd, this did not deter the Saints who were trying to move the ball at each opportunity, Northwich had come with a big pack of forwards, and possibly thought they would stem over the Saints defence, well with Saints in this form that was never going to happen as time and again the tackling and defence was outstanding, Northwich had the chance to put over an early penalty when Saints were caught offside, but the attempt went wide, Northwich were quickly awarded another penalty for Saints offside this time he slotted over and Northwich led 0/3, after 20 minutes Saints started to make the changes, nothing to do with any individuals performance but such was the intensity is was only right and correct, to use the strong bench Saints had, Kris Wood, Mike Ramsden, came into the fray, the game was nip and tuck with Saints doing most of the attacking, Northwich were penalised for holding on in the tackle and Dan Rayson saw Saints first attempt at goal go wide, from the re start Saints went up the field either strong runs from the Saints forwards, they were awarded another penalty for offside, this time going for the lineout, Scott Wood caught the ball and the Saints drove into the Northwich 22, pushing the Northwich pack backwards, as they neared the Northwich line, Gordon Maudling got his hands on the ball at the base of the maul, and dived over to put Saints on the score sheet, 5/3, Dan Rayson added the conversion 7/3 to Saints. With the half coming to a close Saints were starting to get on top in the game as the Northwich pack tired, the half came to an end Saints led 7/3.

The home side started the second half as they finished the first, on the attack, and should have had an early try as again Gavin Maudling who was superb throughout, was on the end of a slick move by Saints and seemed to ground the ball, only for the referee to rule that the ball was held up the referee brought play back for an earlier infringement and Saints opted for the line again and again the forwards drove into the heart of the Northwich defence, keeping the ball moving in tight formation, the ball eventually reaching Kris Wood to score out wide, Saints led 12/3. Dan was unlucky with the conversion hitting the upright, Northwich started to find some form and tested the Saints defence for the next 10 minutes of the game, but everything they threw at the home side was repelled with vigour, whether it was trying to go down the middle or move the ball along the backline Saints had the answer in defence, then came what could have been a deciding moment as Saints lost Gordon Maudling sent off for a second bookable offence, as he was guilty of questioning the refs decision, only one winner their, with the extra man Northwich upped the intensity and were battering the home defence but alas to no avail, after trying to force their way over they realised it would be easier to go for 3 points on offer in front of the posts, this brought the score to 12/6, with the clock running down Saints were given a penalty for Northwich offside, and from the touchline Dan Rayson put over a lovely kick and the score went to 15/6, Saints then ran the clock down with a couple of forward drives and pick and go’s, the referee blew for the end of the game and Saints progress to the next round.

Saints defence won the game today, the home sides attitude and commitment was first class, for Saints Kris Wood got the official man of the match, strong performances from all the pack, front five was strong and tight and the back row was all over the park.
For the ladies in the backline, Mike Hawley was a thorn all day in the Northwich defence, and Kurt Maudling’s strong running caused them all sorts of problems.