St Andrew’s College vs Framesby

St Andrew’s College 1st XV met Framesby on Saturday. It was never going to be an easy game to call, and so it proved on Saturday as the College 1st XV got their season under way with a tight 15-12 win against a motivated and solid Framesby team at the Graeme College Rugby Day.

It was an inexperienced team that took the field for the first time for the St Andrew’s College 1st XV and the nerves were certainly evident. St Andrew’s College dominated possession for much of the first half but managed to come away with only three points, after a penalty from Sinjin Broad.

They were perhaps a touch unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty try in the first few minutes of the game which would have settled many nerves. There was a number of errors but also many positives to the St Andrew’s College performance in the first half and they will look back on a number of missed chances that could have taken Framesby out of the game.

With the wind at their backs, Framesby would have been confident going into the second half only three points behind. It was the St Andrew’s College side that scored first after the break however with a well taken try by debutant Sam Francis after a good attack and offload by Lloyd Koster. This pushed St Andrew’s College out to an 8-0 lead before Framesby got themselves back into the game.

A poor exit by St Andrew’s College saw Framesby score out wide and narrow the gap to just three points. A further converted try to Framesby saw them take the lead 12-8 going into the last ten minutes of the game.

After sustained pressure by the forwards, St Andrew’s College were able to regain the lead after a try to Joel Vides. This was converted by Sam Francis and St Andrew’s College found themselves 15-12 in front with five minutes to play.

Framesby threw everything at St Andrew’s College, with a number of attacking lineouts close to the line. However, it took a fantastic steal in the air by captain Matthew Hillary to secure possession for St Andrew’s College in the last movement of the game, securing a hard-fought victory 15-12.

By Stephen Penney