ST LEONARDS 1st team played their first home game of this season on Saturday, and what a game it was! Saints put immediate pressure on the visitors and were up on the try line within the first 30 seconds of play.
The Stourport team did all they could to hold off a try, but this led to the Saints side being awarded a penalty kick, which was successfully converted by Jimmy Farrow.
Stourport gathered the ball quickly and managed to run an easy try past the still celebrating home team.
But Saints were straight back in their half and Stourport gave Farrow another easy three points.
From the restart Stourport made a few minor errors, which allowed Andy Keeling time to clean up a split ball at the 22m line and run through the defence.
Jake Mahal weaved and dodged his way through the defending team from half way, only to be tackled at the try line, but there was nothing Stourport could do to stop Dave Plant driving through for the try.
The lines-outs were dominated by George Nichol, who created Saints’ third try of the half after catching the ball at the set-piece and helping the pack in a driving maul to the line, before sneaking the ball to Kelvin Westwood who went over.
The try was converted by Farrow to leave the half time score at 27 - 5 The second half saw more of the same, with tries from Andy Keeling and Si Evans.
Dave Plant and Andy Keeling claimed their second and third tries of the game respectively, while Farrow left the pitch with a 100 per cent kicking record.
Further tries were scored by Will Redpath and Shaun Whiting, and Redpath took over Farrow’s kicking duties, successfully converting three out of four.
The travelling team did put in a last minute converted try, but the final score was 67-12.
After the match the club’s new sponsor, Richard Wright, presented the 1st XV Captain, Andy Lester, with the new club shirt.
Saints seconds also claimed a big win - 68-10 away at Barton under Needwood.
The Saints started as they meant to go on, with the backs on top form, and the forwards providing a sturdy platform.
Craig Smith was first to put points on the score sheet with a try in the first ten minutes.
Barton replied with an unconverted try.
Aaron Rogers caught a big clearance kick and ran it back up the pitch 30 metres to score his first try of the game.
Rich Farrow started strongly with his kicking, easily converting Smith’s and Rogers' tries as well as a penalty goal.
Barton refused to give up and slipped another unconverted try past the Saints defence.
But after this the 2nd XV took control of the game and ran in several tries, an additional two by Smith, one more from Rogers and further efforts from Jason Wilshaw, Daz Baines, Farrow and Sam Carroll on his debut.
All the tries were converted by Rich Farrow, who had an excellent day with the boot.
This was a good performance by all, with outstanding displays by new boys Sam Carroll and Rhys Devine.
