Season ends in heavy defeat

St Albans’ final game in London Two North West ended in a heavy defeat at the hands of Old Merchant Taylors’.

OMT, the team directly above the Saints in the table, scored 12 tries to the visitors’ five to run out 76-31 winners.

There were highlights for the Saints. Harry Trude’s clever kick that found winger Tom Wicling who wrong-footed the OMT defence and set up a try for Dan Townson was the pick of their tries.

Jezza Walmsley managed to bag a brace of tries and fellow Kiwi Mike Bennet never stopped trying to batter his way through the oncoming OMT defence.

Fraser Morris was again on the score sheet, storming over for a great try late in the game.

There were also excellent games for last-minute call-ups Harry Toland, Oli Akurst, Duncan Sharpe and Jack McDonald.

Craig Huddleston, Jack Ransome and Chris Jones made their presence felt and all have made great contributions over the course of the season.

And there was comfort in the fact that a number of the younger players have made great strides in establishing themselves as first team regulars. Jack Middleton, Jamie Hissey, Heemi Peina and Ross Taylor will be great assets for the seasons to come.

Relegation means St Albans will face old adversaries in London Three North West next season in the form of Grasshoppers, Hitchin, Belsize Park, Datchworth, Stevenage Town and Finchley.

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Saturday was Bennet’s last game for the club. He is returning to New Zealand. Full-back Trude is accompanying him to play overseas rugby in preparation for next season.