IIs win Merit Table Cup

Merit Table One Plate Final

St Albans II 21 Stevenage II 16

ST ALBANS II ended their season with some silverware as they ground out a 21-16 victory over Stevenage II in the Merit Plate Final.

A rock hard pitch at Saracens’ old ground meant hard both sides had to put a lot of hard work in but it was the Saints who got off the better start with Dave Watkins slotting two early penalties.

The Saints lost full-back Paul Dixon early on with Harry Trude coming on to replace him as St Albans had to work hard to keep out Stevenage.

The defence held firm under pressure with but Stevenage managed to nail two penalty kicks to level the scores at half time.

The second half saw Saints start brighter with Doug Morete bringing the backs into play. Watkins restored St Albans lead with another penalty before Mark Davies crossed for the frist try of the contest.

The Saints pack won a lineout up on the left of the field and from this they drove towards the line before feeding Davies who beat his man before crossing the whitewash. Watkins added the extras despite an unfavourable angle.

A tackle around the neck area resulted in the Stevenage winger and St Albans hooker Mick O’Shea both seeing yellow for fighting.

Roland Everall came on and his arrival saw the St Albans pack got gain more control. Stevenage did score to bring the scores up to 16-11 but the St Albans pack were rewarded for their disciplined approached with a push over try that Davies dotted down. The game looked won, but Stevenage managed a further score, to ensure a nervous final few minutes but Saints held on to run out 21-16 victors.

* The St Albans RFC 2011 Mixed Touch Rugby Tournament starts on Thursday April 28 from 7.15pm. All welcome. Contact Mick O’Shea on 07770923877 or email muckyshoe@hotmail.com to register your team.