The Saints come Marching In
By BrianC January 2 2004
We start the New Year with a home game against Northampton Saints. Some Saints supporters regard us as their bogey team, however analysis of past ZP results does not bear this out.
We start the New Year with a home game against Northampton Saints. Some Saints supporters regard us as their bogey team, however analysis of past ZP results does not bear this out.
London Irish vs Northampton Saints,
Madejski Stadium, Sunday 4th January, KO 3:00pm
Of the fourteen encounters in the Zurich Premiership since it's inception London Irish have won five and lost eight. Perhaps memories of our 2002 cup victory are still as fresh in their minds as they are in ours.
We have won our last two encounters, both at Franklins Gardens. Our 30 - 24 victory there in October being arguably our best performance thus far this season. It is also worth noting that we have lost our last two home fixtures against the Saints. In terms of recent results at least it appears that in games between our two clubs, home advantage counts for nothing.
Some of our recent encounters with Saints have been acrimonious occasions, Matt Dawson is on record as saying that Brendan Venter was his least favoured opponent. With Doc now out of the way things may be settling down, our match in October was not particularly ill tempered. It was marked by a very shrewd Tofty move, described thus by Reading Fatboy in the match report. ''There are a couple of injuries to be dealt with, so Tofty (clever little blighter) makes the best of the confusion. He stands on the Penalty mark with the ball and waits. The Saints team (Amazingly every single one of them) lines up at the goal line expecting him to take the kick, and planning their next attack. The injuries are cleared and Mr. Pearson tell Tofty to play. He taps the ball to himself and scampers the thirty metres to the line while all the Saints players look at each other, and say "not me Guv".'' I think it is safe to say that the Saints will not fall for such a move this time round.
With both Irish and Saints currently doing well in the ZP this is a crucial match for both teams particularly as both suffered defeats last weekend. With victory a place in next seasons HC looks likely, with defeat a lacklustre end to the season may well ensue. This is a close game to call, Irish by the narrowest of margins perhaps.
Madejski Stadium, Sunday 4th January, KO 3:00pm
Of the fourteen encounters in the Zurich Premiership since it's inception London Irish have won five and lost eight. Perhaps memories of our 2002 cup victory are still as fresh in their minds as they are in ours.
We have won our last two encounters, both at Franklins Gardens. Our 30 - 24 victory there in October being arguably our best performance thus far this season. It is also worth noting that we have lost our last two home fixtures against the Saints. In terms of recent results at least it appears that in games between our two clubs, home advantage counts for nothing.
Some of our recent encounters with Saints have been acrimonious occasions, Matt Dawson is on record as saying that Brendan Venter was his least favoured opponent. With Doc now out of the way things may be settling down, our match in October was not particularly ill tempered. It was marked by a very shrewd Tofty move, described thus by Reading Fatboy in the match report. ''There are a couple of injuries to be dealt with, so Tofty (clever little blighter) makes the best of the confusion. He stands on the Penalty mark with the ball and waits. The Saints team (Amazingly every single one of them) lines up at the goal line expecting him to take the kick, and planning their next attack. The injuries are cleared and Mr. Pearson tell Tofty to play. He taps the ball to himself and scampers the thirty metres to the line while all the Saints players look at each other, and say "not me Guv".'' I think it is safe to say that the Saints will not fall for such a move this time round.
With both Irish and Saints currently doing well in the ZP this is a crucial match for both teams particularly as both suffered defeats last weekend. With victory a place in next seasons HC looks likely, with defeat a lacklustre end to the season may well ensue. This is a close game to call, Irish by the narrowest of margins perhaps.
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