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Saturday saw Northampton Casuals Rugby League doing their bit to help spread the game of rugby league, playing the German Exiles team at Hemel Hempstead. The German Exiles are a team of players with German heritage, plus a few loans from RLC National team Hemel Stags, formed with the aim of increasing the profile of German rugby league. The large Hemel pitch and dry weather promised an open match, and the many spectators were certainly given one. Northampton kicked off, and held the Germans in their own half on the first set of possession. A clever kick from the German stand off saw Northampton forced into touch immediately on receiving possession, giving possession back to the Germans. They were able to take swift advantage, and score under the posts to take an early six nil lead. A slow start is something Northampton have been frequently guilty of this season, and it wasn’t until their seventh set of possession that Northampton were able to complete a set, by which time the Germans had scored another try to take a ten nil lead. A high tackle on Jaznik started a brawl that seemed to spark Northampton into life. Their defence strengthened, and increasing pressure on the German playmakers forced an errant pass, intercepted by centre Rob Matthews, who then showed great pace to out run the pursuit and score a spectacular 70 metre try.
With the defence doing a better job of winning possession high up the field, and the attack maintaining possession, Northampton were able to turn pressure into points, as hooker Ryan Richards stretched over from acting half. Fowler’s second conversion gave Northampton a 12-10 lead going into half time. Northampton opened the second half well, and it was just three minutes before Brotherton, now moved to the wing, was able to squeeze into the corner, despite the presence of three German defenders, extending the Northampton lead to 16-10. The Exiles, led by elusive standoff Kristian, added a try and conversion to level the scores at 16 all. Northampton stand-off Fowler responded with one of his trademark close range tries, converted himself, to give Northampton a 22-16 lead on the 57 minute mark. For the next quarter hour, defences were very much on top. Northampton played a clever game of maintaining possession and controlling field position, but a desperate Exiles attack saw them break from acting half ten metres out and the converted try brought scores level at 22-22, with 73 minutes gone. With the scores level, both teams played safety first. Northampton were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, but the forty metre distance proved too much for Fowler, although in sending the ball dead, Northampton maintained possession. A drop goal attempt went narrowly wide, and the final attack finished just five metres short of a try in the corner. This was an excellent result for Northampton, against an Exiles team that had won all their previous matches. Northampton’s defence especially was much improved. Man of the match was centre Ashley Fulthorpe, with Matthews, Smith, Coleman and Jaznik also have particularly strong games.