The only way is up for Saints
Last updated 11:06, Friday, 15 February 2008
ST BENEDICT’S are off the bottom of the North Lancs Cumbria League table after a hard-fought 15-11 home win over Didsbury Toc H.
Secretary Ian McQuire said: “It was a hard earned win and the lads had to show really determined defence in the closing stages.
“We had two players sin-binned eight minutes from the end and were under a lot of pressure but held out gamely.”
Didsbury elected to play with the wind in the first-half and were 6-0 ahead inside the first 15 minutes from two penalties.
When the Saints lost centre Daniel Appleton with a pulled hamstring, player-coach Graham Cartmell came on and immediately made an impact.
He put in a great break from half-way and had support from Scott Wood and Lee Wood who linked to put Stephen Routledge over for the try.
Then when John-Paul Connery was given 10 minutes in the sin-bin Saints were under pressure and conceded an unconverted try to trail 11-6 at the break.
Early in the second-half Ryan Fisher landed a penalty and on 58 minutes the home side scored a crucial try. Scott Wood won good turn-over ball in his own half and Kyle Hiddleston put in a great 60 yard run.
The ball was then fed via Fisher to Graham Hartley who scored. Fisher landed the conversion.
Saints have a break from league rugby on Saturday.
