An almost perfect start to the season for the 1st XV travelling away to Biggleswade. The home side came out firing, holding on to the ball for the majority of the opening 25 minutes. A poor kick chase lead to Biggleswade scoring under the posts, converting the try for a 7 point lead.
S&L were soon on the attack from the restart and a quick recycled ball from Louis Trimble, partnered with his power and pace, saw him crash over for the first try for the black wave. The missed conversion left Biggleswade leading 7-5 at the break.
Starting the second half, the momentum began to shift and S&L began to take control of the game, Jay Manson slotting a penalty shortly after narrowly missing an attempt at goal.
Now leading 8-7, brilliant lines of running from Nick Bates and excellent positional play by Kieran Manson, lead to S&L having a lineout inside Biggleswade’s 22. A neatly constructed maul enabled Ellis Bowman to find space on the right wing to dive over in the corner. 13-7 after the missed conversion.
An air of confidence now loomed over the boys, moving the ball quickly from the restart. Great hands from Connor Jenkinson set Trimble free, racing down the left hand touch line and leaving defenders in his dust, he crossed the whitewash for his second try of the afternoon, making the score 18-7.
It was an all out attack from then on. Dan Martin breaking through with a line reminiscent of Scott Gibbs and finding Brandon Wall charging on his shoulder, the black wave had their bonus point try after Wall touched down under the posts. Captain Devon Reilly knocking over the conversion to bring the score to 25-7.
Biggleswade were now firmly on the back foot and S&L did not show any mercy. Hard forceful runs from Ellis Brown and Dan Martin gave great field position.
After yet another penalty, S&L kicked for touch. A beautifully executed line out followed with Kyran Bartlett and Tansley Naylor linking well in the midfield, pulling defenders in. A few more phases and skipper Devon Reilly goosed his way through the defensive line, with clear air in front of him in the home sides 22, the outcome was inevitable. With his trademark dive behind the line, the fifth try and victory was sealed. Converting his own try, Reilly made the score 32-7.
1 to 18, everyone who put on the black shirt did the club proud and left everything on pitch to start the season with a huge statement to the rest of the league.
S&L host Northampton Casuals at home for their next fixture, let’s fill the sidelines and support the boys!
