Rugby Union: UCS Old Boys endure agony of close loss at Saracens Amateurs in Herts/Middlesex One
Alex Turton scores a try for UCS Old Boys at Saracens Amateurs (pic: Nick Cook) - Credit: Archant
Herts/Middlesex One: Saracens Amateurs 22 UCS Old Boys 19
Mert Zabci scores a try for UCS Old Boys at Saracens Amateurs (pic: Nick Cook) - Credit: Archant
UCS Old Boys suffered a narrow defeat under the Friday night lights at Saracens Amateurs in Herts/Middlesex One.
After two phases and two minutes of play, Old Boys electrified the opposition and spectators alike with a lightning strike try by Alex Turton.
The hooker broke through a maul in the Saracens 22, before crunching through the opposition defence to dot down under the posts.
Though the score went unconverted, the try clearly demonstrated Sarries to be in a sleepy haze.
You may also want to watch:
The opposition only began to wake up after twelve minutes of play, when awarded a penalty between the UCS posts, which they kicked to bring the score to 5-3.
Old Boys struck again, though, with one of the mightiest team-linking tries seen all season.
Most Read
- 1 Haringey Green Lanes flat fire sees 40 firefighters tackle blaze
- 2 O2 Centre redevelopment: Decision draws on Camden planning guidance
- 3 Crouch End salesman who nursed mum runs marathon for Diabetes UK
- 4 'Lobster-like creature' pulled from Hampstead Heath ladies' pond
- 5 Explore 8 of north London's prettiest streets
- 6 For sale: Suggs' former 'bachelor pad' with gold-gilded underground bar
- 7 Old Hampstead police station sold by Department for Education at £4m loss
- 8 Met Office issues yellow warning for heavy showers in London
- 9 Man left with £1,200 vet bill after puppy 'mauled' on Hampstead Heath
- 10 'Family unit': 28 Church Row wins readers' favourite restaurant
A quick tap-and-go penalty by the irrepressible Chris Bean made good yardage, before passing to Ahmed Ghanem, who in turn found Ben Brooks, who sped away from the defence to score.
With Brooks scoring under the posts, Tim Hyland was able to add the extras as UCS led 12-3.
However, with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Saracens made it a two-point game with a converted try of their own.
With no further scores before the break, Old Boys were able to take a slender 12-10 advantage into the interval.
Some superb touch-kicking at the start of the second half Hyland put UCs in several good attacking positions, but no scores emerged.
It proved costly as a Saracens back broke through the UCS defensive line on the 22 to touch down and give the hosts the lead, though the extras were not added.
Midway through the half, Saracens scored another try under the posts after winning the ball from a loose maul, increasing their lead to 22-12.
These scores seemed to come against the run of play and occurred during a frustratingly fallow period during the second half.
However, with ten minutes to go, an Old Boys fightback began in earnest, with several multi-phase attacks deep into opposition territory eventually resulting in a try for Mert Zabci.
All the try ensured, though, was a losing bonus point as UCS fell to a narrow defeat.
