1st XV v Whitecraigs – 22.3.14

A great first 15 minutes from Saints with good runs from Sam Hiddleston, Michael Yates, Ross Mawdesley and Craig Goldie but they were losing possession in contact, a combination of spills and not releasing. Saints had the better scrum which gave the visitors problems all game but Whitecraigs forwards were quicker over the ball in contact which denied Sainst of fast posessions and caused them to give away a lot of penalties.

Whitecraigs first venture into Saints 22 got them a converted try from a simple lineout catch and drive. Saints kept the play in the Whitecraigs half for the most of the 1^st half. But in another visit into the Saints half just before half time Whitecraigs kicked a penalty to be 10 nil up at half time

The visitors dominated possession in the start of the 2^nd half and were rewarded with an unconverted try from a quickly taken penalty 5 metres out. Following a terrific spell of continued possession Stewart Kennedy drove over the Whitecraigs line for Ben Johnstone to convert. Saints kept play tighter and did not get ball carriers too far in front of support and built phase after phase working toward the Whitecraigs line where Daniel Henderson crossed for  Ben Johnstone to convert again and Saints were close at 14 : 15.

Stewart Kennedy was sin binned for a high tackle and while he was off the Saints defence were penalised for offside giving Whitecraigs an easy 3 points to finish the game 14 : 18.

This was the last 1^st XV game of the season and the Saints played with determination and ambition but were up against a solid Whitecraigs defence.

Team: Adam Prentice, James Jackson, Craig Goldie, Stewart Kennedy, Bruce Hunt, Chris Wicks, Craig Bryson, Daniel Kennedy, David Kennedy, Mike Rennie, Ben Johnstone, Michael Yates, Sam Hiddleston, Andrew Wilson, Ross Mawdesley. Subs: John Carlisle, Ross Henderson, Keith Geddes