ComeOnYouSaints.com - End of Season Poll Part 3

End of Season Poll – Part 3

Best Away Game of the Season?

Esher, the way we turned our performance round in the second half was incredible.

Best Away Trip of the Season?

Bedford both times! Great to get wins over rivals!

Twickenham, Bucks Fizz in the Sturtruidge because we turned up too early for the staff coach and cheering the O’s and singing throughout their match with the Tigers. No doubt if I had been able to go to the Pirates it may have been a different outcome.

Best Opposition?

Newbury, for bringing the game to Saints, playing rugby in the backs and getting the only 4 try bonus point off Saints

This should be Exeter and probably in the cup final they finally showed their true abilities. But over the two league games my vote goes to Newbury. In both games they played with ambition and courage. They had a target, particularly in the away game, and achieved it. The only team, I think, to take two points from us all season and they did it with style.

Best Opposing Player?

Hard to single anyone out for this. Several caused us problems, the Notts locks, the Newbury flyhalf, the Exeter wing (in the cup final). I suppose its got to be the one that impressed so much we ended up signing him, the Donny Flanker (Gray isn't it?)

Best refereeing moment?

Not sure who, but a referee awarded a knock on against Saints near Church’s stand! The touch judge (and crowd!) pointed out there had been no knock on and the referee admitted his error apologizing to both the player and crowd. Great use of common sense by a referee, no one is perfect.

Nick Williams: “That’s it, gentlemen, time for a beer”.
There was a game, I think before Christmas where the ref was having a shocker. He went off with an ‘injury’ and the 4th official came on. I thought he had a great game.

Who Most Personifies Being A Saint?

Bruce Reihana, do you need to know why?

Tom Smith - the quiet man who is a massive influence on his team mates and an outstanding role model for younger players

Tom Smith. What a fantastic servant to the club he has been.

Tiny. Not the most skillful player (his scrumaging is getting much better), or the one who plays with the most finesse, but he gives it all. That is what being a Saint is about, puting everything into it.

Where will Saints finish next season?

I predict between 4-7th in GP and semi finalists in Europe.

Young player of the season?

Chris Ashton

Grant Anderson for me. From the Wandies performances he looks a star in the making. Keep an eye on Courtney too.

Young player of the season who isn't a rapid gruff northern winger?

Joe Ansbro

Marks out of ten for the season?

10 – all tasks completed – on time, first time!

Marks out of ten for the players?

10 – their attitude towards getting Saints back to the Premiership has been outstandingly professional.

Marks Out Of Ten For The Coaching Setup?

9.5 – It looks like getting even better over the summer so cant possibly be a 10 yet!

Once again, 10. Hugely impressed with Jim and Doreen. And a big thanks to Rob for the Academy success.

Performance of the Season by a Saints Player

Paul Diggin in the game where he scored trys.

Chris Ashton, 5 tries

Predictions for life back in the Premiership?

Much better than the last 3 years we spent there?

It won’t be easy, but If Mallinder stays I have faith!

Biggest Disappointment?

Ben Cohen in happier times Cohen's misbehaviour...

Cohen, his wife is pregnant with twins, he’s having trouble coming to terms with the fact that his international career is over, he’s become a gay icon and then all off a sudden the club that he loves isn't good enough for him any more. Maybe he wanted to improve his iconic status at a club who wear pink shirts, but heading over to the dark side would of been unforgivable.

Ben Cohen's behaviour didn't shock me but disappointed me.

The chasing pack in the league didn’t keep up long enough. It was a foregone conclusion we’d be promoted long before we were.

Most Memorable Moment?

Everyone had a lovely day at Twickenham so nice to go there and, ya' know win.

Traveling all the way to Launceston… and back. Enough said!

Parade with the cup at Twickenham

Saints Try of the Season?

Too many to choose from!

Is there anything that can be done to improve your day out at Franklins Gardens?

Less music over the tannoy!

Keith Barwell could find space in the salary cap to fly me over from Moscow for a game.

I would love the club to pick up on the atmosphere created at other clubs this season. If we had more real ale (the real ale never lasts to the second round after the match) and were not in the high range of beer prices around the town, we may entice a few more people into the ground earlier and to stay for one more afterwards.

Rather than selling access to players through First XV, get them into the bar with their opposite numbers. Everyone understands if they take isotonic drinks or water but it keeps their feet on the ground to be out and about amongst those that buy the tickets, the merchandise and the Sky Sports subscriptions

What will you miss about ND1?

The fans! The rugby club feel that you get in so few places in the Prem. We’ll just have to play Leicester every week.

What are you looking forward to the most next season?

The difference from the last time we were there!

A trip to somewhere like Montpellier for an ERC game – or Galway

Best bit of nosh at FG?

Burger and chips, hog roast,

Worst bit of nosh at FG?

Cost! The cost of everything seems to skyrocket year on year.

Tell you what, keep an eye on this fella....(any player form any club that has caught your eye)

Magnus Lund! I said it a few years ago when I saw him playing age group rugby with Danny Care at scrumhalf and I'll say it again now he has caught the media attention this season.

I think Danny Cipriani could be one of the greatest players in the world. If he can stay free of injury, as he showed in his England debut, he can perform under the highest pressure and he simply has so much talent.

Josh Draininiu – imagine what he could be like in a team that set up their game plan to get him the ball

We cant live without.... who?

The playing squad!

All the folks who step up to keep COYSDC thriving, the Eds, the preview and report authors, the competition runners, the SWH people, the End-Of-Season Quiz gaffer, the newspaper snoopers, the interviewers and interviewees, the photographers