RUGBY LEAGUE: Saints hit back to go top (From Swindon Advertiser)

RUGBY LEAGUE: Saints hit back to go top

9:40am Wednesday 20th May 2009 in

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Swindon St George maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a stunning comeback victory over Guildford Giants.

The game could not have started worse for St George - playing into a strong wind, they knocked on straight from the kick-off, and the Giants capitalised to score after a couple of minutes.

With the wind getting stronger, Swindon were unable to get the ball out of their own half, and Guildford scored two more tries, converting them both, leaving Swindon 16-0 behind after only 20 minutes.

The Saints started to turn the game and Danny Morgan broke the Giants’ defensive line but was tackled just 10 metres from the try line. Josh Haynes picked the ball up quickly from the ruck, and drove over the line to score. Ashley Brown kicked the conversion for the extra two points.

Stuart Catherall then forced his way over from short range to score by the posts. Once again, Brown kicked the conversion to bring Swindon within four points.

Swindon started the second half well but after giving away a series of penalties, St George found themselves defending their own line for three back-to-back sets of six.

Swindon turned defence into attack when Greg O’Brien’s strong running broke the Giants’ defence to bring the scores level.

The momentum was shortlived. Following a scrum, a Guildford winger intercepted a pass to score against the run of play. Undeterred, Swindon continued to play the better rugby and when debutant Ben Saville powered over to score, with Brown converting, St George took the lead for the first time.

O’Brien caused Guildford more problems as he scored two more tries to complete a well-deserved hat-trick.

His third try followed a great passing move with Josh Haynes and Gary Bandi linking well. Haynes converted, giving Swindon a two-score lead.

Guildford reduced the gap before Morgan easily sidestepped his way through Guildford’s defence to score the final try of the game and Brown kicked his fourth conversion to finish the job, 38-26.

Saints coach Neil Greenwood said: “I’m extremely happy with the final result and the whole team performance after recovering from a poor start.”

Victory puts Swindon top of the early standings in the RLC London & South Division. They will hope to continue their great start to the season in their next game away at the Kent Ravens.