This weekend was the renewal of the old rivalry between Oundle and Northampton Saints 3s. With Oundle being the visitors for the first meeting between the two sides for almost 2 years.

Another week and another strong Oundle squad with 16 players making the short trip over to Moulton College. This week saw Oundle travel with only one recognised striker, thankfully it was the man in red hot form, flying rhino fan, John Pickstone. Oundles most recent signing Harvey Ratcliffe, also made his debut this week filling in up front, in a game which would give him a baptism of fire. The Saints team looked to be bringing through the next generation, featuring a number of younger players.

With a pushback time making Oundles start time look late, the game began with both teams having a go at each other, Saints appeared to be slightly coming out on top in the early exchanges. Saints trying to break the Oundle press. One break was quickly snuffed out by ole McJimmy, who doesn’t have a farm, but was most certainly up for the game celebrating his last ditch tackle like a goal.

Despite a good press from Oundle, they struggled to hold onto the ball and gave away a couple of early chances to Saints, the only clear cut chance when the ball found a Saints player from point blank range but luckily fired the ball straight at Youngy. Despite the early pressure from Saints, they were unable to break down the resolute Oundle defence.

With Saints playing similar to Oundle by pressing high, it was going to take a moment of magic to break the press. Jimmy Moore was on hand to provide this with a pass straight through to Brenners, with the pass going from 23 to 23. Brenners was left 1 on 1 with his defender, Brenners rolled his man and placed the ball home beyond the onrushing Saints Keeper.

This goal appeared to settle any lingering Oundle nerves and they started to enjoy themselves, making some nice passes. One constant throughout the game was all of the Oundle players wanted the ball. Albi saw a lot of the ball throughout the game, providing an option for an easy pass from every Oundle 16. Oundle had a number of chances throughout the half but were unable to convert.

The 2nd half started how the first ended with Oundle on top and Saints penned back into their own half and unable to cope. Oundles wide players, A.Scott, P.Wilson and R.Cunningham found a lot of joy down the wings throughout the game, and gave the Saints full back a tough day at the office. Saints defended well though and limited Oundle not giving away any clear cut chances.

Oundle stuck at their task however and eventually were able to make the breakthrough midway through the 2nd half. Brenners picked the ball up deep inside the Saints half and drove at their defence, Brenners beat his man and squared the ball to find his strike partner, John Pickstone, who did his best to fall over while tapping home from close range.

More rewards followed for Oundle who were awarded a number of short corners in short succession. Vice Captain Millan had a drag flick well saved, strong and stable Peter Allett saw his strike cleared off of the line by the postman. In fact it was the short corner which didn’t go to plan, where Oundle scored. The injection took a bobble on its way through, but managed to find Gareth Watt on the edge of the D, Gareth playing a square ball to Albi, who with all the time in the world, picked his spot and fired home.

Oundle had the opportunity to be out of sight, when Brenners, who had previously found the net, received the ball in the middle of the D with just the keeper to beat. It was a shame that Brenners had thought we had switched to Rugby at some point through the half and proceeded to fire high for what would have been a decent conversion.

Saints weren’t without a threat throughout the half however, and looked to hit Oundle on the counter, trying their luck down the wings. Saints played a few dangerous balls across Oundles D but didn’t have anyone to tap home. But they were rewarded shortly after Oundle had scored their 3rd. The Saints winger beat 2 Oundle defenders down Oundles left, played the ball into the D which found a free Saints player who took the early shot into the bottom corner reducing the deficit back to 2.

With the game approaching its final minutes Oundle looked stretched and Saints tails were up after scoring their goal. Oundle had given everything throughout the game and the youth of Saints came into their own and won their first short corner of the game which didn’t come to anything. Albi was in the wars this game, catching first an elbow, then a stick to the face which drew blood.

Oundle ran out 3-1 winners with a win which sees them 5th on goal difference but share 12 points with 4 other teams in the league. The good spirits were raised when it was revealed that one of their players had been caught speeding twice in the same day, by the same van no less! Next week Oundle face a tough challenge when one of those 4 teams visits Pavilion Drive, Towcester 1s which will be the first league meeting between the two sides. HWTL.