Vees cross the line 10 times in big win

Herts/Middlesex One

Verulamians 76 Saracens Amateurs 10

ON Saturday Verulamians welcomed Saracens Amateurs to Cotlandswick for the first home league game of the season and produced a vintage performance to satisfy the large crowd.

The game began with the players taking to the field having run through the minis guard of honour and this truly gave each man a lift. From the kick off the Vees forwards tore into the Amateurs at every occasion and quickly forced a turnover. The team selected overdrive and after three strong forward carries the backs pick out an opportunity on the short side and Alex Ricci executed the perfect two-on-one and put Dan Sabato over in the corner, T. Crown added the extras. The early score gave the players the confidence the run the ball and following a strong carry from player/coach Ian Matthews from the kick off the Vees went in again. The amateurs came back strongly and scored two tries in the first half which galvanised the Vees and ensured the home side came back strongly. By now the half backs of Brown and Crown were running the show and operating behind a totally dominate pack, who were producing 7* luxury quick ball. In the forwards the front row of Tromans, S. Crown and John were making a huge impact around the pitch and it was great to see a front row who all weigh in at 20 stone. The half continued with excellent tries from Crown, Browne and Ricci and even when a sniper took out the ever green player coach after 30 minutes the team carried on playing well with Turner slotting in at No.8.

The second half continued in similar vain and the amateurs simply could not contend with the Vees pace, power and aggression. The visitors started dropping like flies and were soon ready to wave the white flag. However, the Vees were not finished yet and from an attacking scrum Crown call a strike move, the backs executed the move perfectly to leave the injured coach in rapture on the side lines as “General” Paton screamed under the posts for the try. The team were well led by Darren Westhead who had an excellent game at open side, supporting each attacker and making numerous tackles on Saracens players. The mid-field combination of N. Wolley and Atkins showed excellent potency in attack and was very destructive in defence.

This performance sets the Vees season of and running and the future looks bright with new players arriving, 40 players attending training and all three senior sides winning on Saturday. Even the V.P.’s managed to crack a smile! A great start!

On the day scorers were, Ricci (three), N.Wolley (two), A.Westhead, S. Crown, Paton, Browne, T. Crown. Conversions T. Crown (seven).