Midlands 6 East (South) St Neots 65 Thorney 0 SAINTS welcomed mid-table Thorney to The Common on Saturday and the difference in league places was clear. The forwards took on a physically bigger Thorney pack and controlled the scrum and line-out well. It

Midlands 6 East (South) St Neots 65 Thorney 0

SAINTS welcomed mid-table Thorney to The Common on Saturday and the difference in league places was clear.

The forwards took on a physically bigger Thorney pack and controlled the scrum and line-out well. It was open play with superior fitness and organisation that was to prove the difference between the teams.

The visitors started nervously in the face of good phase work from St Neots, the ball was taken up the park in small steps with fierce recycling and support play from the Saints forwards. Man of the match Andy Samm transferred the play to the backs and centre James Fitch glided over for the first try of the game.

Traffic was one way for the majority of the first half, with the hosts continuously working the ball around the park. Scrum half Samm expertly linked strong forward momentum with the speed of the backs. With 10 minutes of the first half remaining, St Neots piled on the pressure from set pieces and open play before walking over a scrum on the five metre line to make the score 39-0 at half-time.

The second half saw a rejuvenated Thorney side. Renewed vigour saw efforts to compete in all areas of the game but strong defence and quick counter attack thwarted the Thorney offensive and normal service was quickly resumed.

Another pushover try added to the score. With 15 minutes remaining veteran legend John Morris joined the fray and quickly added his own brand of animal magic, running over nicely after clearing up loose ball.

Saints coach Gary Fox said: "The game was won comfortably, the players and coaches have worked hard to achieve results like this."

* St Neots can effectively clinch the title this weekend when they travel to third-placed Market Deepings.