ST Albans finished the season with a disappointing display against high flying Stevenage on Saturday.

League London North West Three

St Albans 11 Stevenage 43

ST Albans finished the season with a disappointing display against high flying Stevenage on Saturday.

Once again deprived of some of their more experienced players, either through injury or unavailability, the Saints never looked capable of upsetting the promoted outfit.

Earlier in the season Saints had pushed Stevenage all the way finishing the game the stronger side and only losing by a single score. This time, although Saints competed well in the set pieces Stevenage's all round superiority was clearly evident, and they fully deserved their victory leaving them unbeaten in the league all season.

Stevenage scored tries at regular intervals and had their kicking not been so woeful may have notched up an even larger winning margin.

This has been very much a season of consolidation for St Albans. Over the last 10 years, or so, St Albans have seen incredible improvement in their standards of play. Several promotions saw them playing in London Two North, competing with the best sides in the county. Following relegation last year it was important to steady the ship, to provide a platform from which to launch renewed ambition. Captain Dave Stanford has achieved that and can look back on a satisfactory season.

St Albans have competed well all season and had they had more luck with injuries would have achieved a much higher position than the sixth place into which they settled. Only champions Stevenage managed to beat them twice.

The coaches have yet to name any of the players who will win awards at the players' supper which is set for Friday. Among the candidates must be Tony Giddings at prop and Dave Callum who has done sterling work switching between hooker and wing forward. Amongst the backs Phil James, before injury shortened his season, and Mark Kentish have stood out.

As to next year they can look forward to a number of players coming back from long term injury, and pushing on to regain their place in the league above.