OAs win pre-season finale
Chris Lombaard tries to get a foot on a loose ball - Credit: Archant
Spectators seemed agreed that this was a somewhat quiet performance by Old Albanian, writes Brian Quinn.
But it should be remembered that the visitors had had an unbeaten pre-season series going into this encounter and had bested National One opponents Blackheath in the process.
They provided an unusually combative challenge to OAs last Saturday and were in front for over an hour of the match.
Billy Johnson started in fine fettle, pirating the first try of the day in the opening moments when he drove through despairing tackles to the posts.
Canterbury responded manfully to equalise before the home side once more nudged in front.
Two more cleverly taken scores saw the visitors again take the lead and hold it into the last quarter.
Canterbury were effective close to the ruck and maul and showed great effort in defence and it took until the last ten minutes for the hosts to really make their mark. However this was achieved when a certain tiredness overcame Canterbury and three tries were run in in this closing period.
Most Read
- 1 Aldi prioritises St Albans for new store
- 2 St Albans woman defies odds to become oldest with Rett Syndrome
- 3 WATCH: Delivery driver caught fly-tipping in rural area
- 4 Is this the future of hospitality in St Albans?
- 5 10 reasons to visit this sustainable, family-owned farm shop in St Albans
- 6 The latest court results for the St Albans area
- 7 St Albans Striders shine at Summer Solstice 10k
- 8 What next for Alban Arena and city centre culture?
- 9 Fight to save village Green Belt from development
- 10 IN PICTURES: Alban Pilgrimage returns to city
OAs open their new campaign away to Tynedale on Saturday in the knowledge that they have yet not won at Tynedale Park. They have been thoroughly tested in the three match pre-season series and can travel with some confidence to the north east.