SAINTS did what was required of them by winning to secure their place at the top of the table at the end of the regular season, writes Graham Henthorne.
But this game could be an Elvis-like moment. You know how everyone who was alive at the time is supposed to remember exactly what they were doing when they found out Elvis had died? Well if this game is anything to go by everyone present at Blackbrook this evening is going to be able to say I was there when Levy Nzoungou made his debut!
The 17-year-old Frenchman who hardly speaks a word of English certainly let his rugby do the talking finishing a great 30 minute spell with a 100 metre try. He took the pass from the restart burst through a weak tackle, rounded the full back, outpaced the cover and roared on by the crowd swallow dove under the sticks for a fabulous individual try.
Although the score is a bit of a blow out, the game was an extremely physical encounter and needed some winning as the visitors threatened to take control for a short spell in the first half.
Aaron Smith signalled his return from representative duty with the opening try on four minutes darting in from dummy half after a fabulous 40/20 touch kick from Danny Richardson.
Rob Fairclough was inches short from doubling the lead from the next set but lax defence let the visitors off the hook.
So much so that they took the lead with back to back tries from both wingers.
The introduction of Ross McCauley and the Levynator turned the game in the Saints favour. Big Ross’s first task was to stroll in unopposed through the biggest gap I’ve seen in years and then he proceeded to trundle his way through the Tigers defensive line offloading as he went.
Calvin Wellington benefitted next as he took the pass, spun out of an attempted tackle then sprinted in from 40 out.
Rob Fairclough showed his growing confidence with a big hit which caused a knock on in the Tigers half and Jonah Cunningham darted over four tackles later.
The game was effectively over as a contest on the Saints first set of six after the break as Morgan Knowles scored the first of his brace from McCauley’s offload.
His second came after the Levynator had been held up over the line taking three with him.
Another McCauley offload put Cunningham free down the middle and his pass found Ben Morris in support for the try.
Then came that 100 metre piece of magic which I think dazzled all the players as well as the final twenty minutes were poor from a Saints perspective containing nothing but a consolation try for the visitors.
Wellington ran well out wide, Knowles was his usual barnstorming self but the glory was stolen by the two substitute props McCauley and Nzoungou with the leg pumping, hard hitting action of the Frenchman catching the eye the most.
Match Summary:
Saints U19s:
Tries: Calvin Wellington (32), Aaron Smith (4), Morgan Knowles 2 (42, 51), Jonah Cunningham (35), Ross McCauley (25), Ben Morris (54), Levy Nzoungou (56).
Goals: Danny Richardson 8.
Tigers U19s:
Tries: Connor Hughes (19), Declan Sheehan 2 (16, 61).
Half Time: 24-8
Full Time: 48-12
Teams:
Saints:
20. Ricky Bailey; 2. Matty Costello, 3. Jake Spedding, 4. Calvin Wellington, 5. Regan Grace; 6. Danny Richardson, 7. Rob Fairclough; 15. Joe Ryan, 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Matty Lees, 12. Olly Davies, 11. Liam Cooper, 13. Morgan Knowles.
Subs: 8. Ross McCauley, 14. Jonah Cunningham, 16. Ben Morris, 19. Levy Nzoungou.
Tigers:
1. Ash Robson; 5. Connor Hughes, 4. Brandon Pickup, 3. Liam Brockley, 2. Declan Sheehan; 6. Aiden Ineson, 7. Tom Holmes; 8. Brandon Douglas, 9. Brandon Moore, 10. Connor Fitzsimons, 11. Will Plummer, 12. Will Cooke, 13. Brandon Westerman.
Subs: 14. Luke Million, 15. Russ Barton, 16. Ben Kershaw, 17. Rory Dixon.
Picture by Paul English.
