Rugby: Saints form suggests they are title contenders

They might have run up more than 100 points last time out, but Saturday’s victory said far more than that as far as St Neots Saints’ league pretensions are concerned.

If they are to be considered serious contenders they’ll need more evidence of the heart, determination and character showed at Thorney.

The home team played a slow, forward based game retaining possession well and forcing Saints to defend the gain line, which they did to a man.

It was from a line-out that Thorney broke to score on the blind side.

A Luke Warburton try converted by Lewis Hall made it all square again and Saints went ahead following excellent work by the forwards and a Dan Glover overlap. He passed inside and Sam Peel powered to the line. Hall again converted.

The visitors led 14-7 at the interval, but Thorney made a better start to the next period with an early score by their left winger, followed by a hopeful kick to the right-hand corner which brought a try and put them back into the lead.

Adam Peel raced away to score from 40 yards out but a penalty meant the home team led 20-19 going into the last 10 minutes.

Saints did not panic. They stuck to the gameplan and it wasn’t long before centre Ed Strand sprinted away to score and get Saints back into the lead.

No way back for Thorney then and it was no surprise when Luke Warburton smashed through the defensive line for an excellent score.

Curtis Weaver bagged his first try for the club to make sure of the outcome and leave skipper Glover saying: “The team showed tremendous character by stepping up when it was needed. I was particularly pleased with the team in a win which may prove decisive at the end of the season.”