London Three North West St Albans 48 UCS Old Boys 36 ST Albans and UCS served up a 12-try thriller on Saturday with both sides committed to open running. St Albans prevailed in the end, outscoring their opponents by seven tries to five. Mark Kentish

London Three North West

St Albans 48 UCS Old Boys 36

ST Albans and UCS served up a 12-try thriller on Saturday with both sides committed to open running.

St Albans prevailed in the end, outscoring their opponents by seven tries to five. Mark Kentish added five conversions and a penalty to complete Saints' scoring.

On a sunny day with firm ground, St Albans had first use of a strong wind which was blowing straight down the pitch. They got the perfect start with a John Sayers try excellently converted by Kentish from wide out.

This was quickly followed by tries from John Andrews and Ed Coy, both also converted by Kentish.

After 20 minutes, UCS Old Boys had hardly been in Saints half and were 21 points adrift. Their answer was to match Saints' bold effort and run everything. After a penalty kick reduced the gap, their attack-minded stand off threw caution to the wind and was soon running St Albans ragged. He set up a try for their winger to run round under the posts, duly converted, and then, from deep inside his own half, set up an attack which saw play carried the whole length of the field for another try. Having lead 21-3 saints were pegged back to 21-15 at half time.

With the wind now at their backs UCS Old Boys turned round in confident mood. However, against the wind, St Albans started strongly again. John Andrews broke through for his second try and this was followed by tries by Mark Alderton and Mike Lane. Lane's try followed a devastating hand off and gallop to the try line through the entire UCS pack. Kentish converted two and Saints were coasting at 40-15.

UCS again deployed a high-risk strategy and again fought back into the game. They quickly added two converted tries to bring themselves within 11 points.

Kentish eased the pressure with a penalty, but another converted try bought the score to 43-36.

With five minutes to play, the visitors pressed for another score and an unlikely draw. The high-risk strategy in the end cost them dear as a long, speculative pass was intercepted and defence was turned into attack by Saints. Second Row Mike Lane was on hand to cross the line for his second and Saints' seventh try to complete the scoring. The exciting clash ended 48-36 to the super Saints.

In Herts/Middx Merit Table One, St Albans II lost 47-10 at Hampstead II. In Herts/Middx Merit Table Three, St Albans III went down 21-47 to Hemel Hempstead III.