Greenock

Date:

Kick-off:

Venue:

Result:

From the start Greenock looked the more composed team in defence and the more comfortable in attack despite Saints having the edge in the set pieces particularly the scrums. A sustained attack from Greenock gave them a try under the posts which was easily converted. This was closely followed by them giving away a penalty which Tom Hiddleston kicked to take the score to 3 : 7.
The Saints forwards were working the set pieces hard and winning good possession which was either being kicked away or lost in contact. Some shocking missed tackles in the Greenock Wanderers half allowed them an easy run to the Saints line to go 3 to 14 up. Just before half time Greenock missed a long range penalty.
Saints started the second half well and gained a penalty for not rolling away in the Greenock half which Jordan Kerr kicked for 3 points. Against the run of play Greenock got the 3 points back when they were awarded a penalty in the Saints half when the ball bounced off a Saints foot in a pile up.
Saints took back the initiative from the restart and after some excellent rucking up the right side Jordan kicked the ball into the left side in goal area for Michael Yates to catch and touch down. Jordan missed the conversions but with the score at 11 : 17 15 minutes into the second half it looked like the Saints were finding that elusive form.
It was not to be, despite having some good forward possession, and a sound individual performance from Saints Man of the Match Ross Henderson, Saints were giving away too many penalties for not rolling away in the rucks, spilling possession in contact. Their dominance in the scrum was being challenged by the referee who was putting it down to early engagement. Two well taken penalties by Greenock took the score to 11 : 23 and Saints ended the game with 14 men when Daniel Henderson was sin binned for persistent not rolling away.
The next two Saturdays are home cup ties, Saints and raising their game against 2nd place National League team Glasgow Hawks next Saturday could be just the boost Saints need.
Team; S Graham, F Paul, A Prentice, S Kennedy, A Mather, R Henderson, G McCall, D Henderson, J Campion, G Gemmell, S Hiddleston, K Henderson, V Satala, M Smith, T Hiddleston, subs all used G Duffy, M Yates, J Kerr.