The twinkle in the eye and the grin he cannot suppress tells me it means a whole lot more. The winger "who can't tackle" scored the opening try with an electrifying run that started inside his own half that broke the deadlock between the teams after 31 mins. Well if he scores more trys like that who cares if he can tackle or not!

His score had been preceded by a scoring penalty for both teams. Larry putting one over on 18 mins after a blatant (and in this writer’s opinion dangerous) push in the lineout from scrumcap who was lucky to not receive a harsher punishment. Bath then had the equalising penalty awarded by Mr White after 26 mins for offside following an advantage that seemed to go on for a very long time.

I could at this point cite a few strange decisions by the official, but I have been critical of Mr White on occasion in the past only to be proven wrong by watching a video at a later date; he is in my opinion a very good referee from a technical perspective. But what I would like to see is some consistency. For example he penalised Saints for crossing twice and one accidental offside that appeared extremely marginal however in the second half allowed Bath several similar transgressions. Come on sir either penalise all instances or let them all go. Suffice it to say he sent his stunt double into the bar with Ashley Rowden to take the flack before making an appearance himself some five minutes later and a reliable source overheard Mike Tindall agreeing that Saints were playing sixteen men from his vantage point in the stands. I am sure however that the Bath supporters will believe his favour was the other way.

The early exchanges had seen Saints take it to the opposition. Bath were clearly rattled with several instances of punches being thrown and signs of petulance around the park. But by the time they had missed a penalty and then scored once things had settled down and it was quite ironic that saints first try should follow what was probably Bath's best few phases of play. But the ball was turned over Robinson got the ball out to Human and it was try time.

On 36 mins Mr White gave a penalty again for crossing and Bath made it 8-6 Two minutes later however it was turnover time again this time on the other side of the park. "Rhino" Rudd was the beneficiary and he too showed that he has the turn of pace needed to score from within his own half. This time Larry converted and it was 15-6 to Saints.

Now of course Rudd can't tackle either but luckily no-one had told him this as his final act of the half was to dump Daniel into touch with what was in effect a try saver. Half time.

The effort, tenacity and sheer guts shown in the heat was tremendous. But enough about me. It must have been hard out on the pitch too as the sun blazed over the lift tower. Fidler came on for Borthwick (who looked like someone had been dancing on his face) and big Ben Cohen was excused England duty to play the second half.

Bath started the stronger and 6 mins in their backs combined well, with a couple of missed tackles they appeared to be through but the defence held firm. 10 mins into the second half Mears came on for Humphreys who looked like he would struggle to make the touchline and then 13 mins in Bath missed another penalty opportunity.

Saints rang the changes with Drahm replacing Larry and Fox coming on for Seely and at 18 mins Sharky stole the ball at the base of the scrum, Rhino took it into contact with about four Bath defenders, ball out to Cohen who straightens the line, slips it to Tucker who scores a beauty. Apparently he is one of the worst centres in the league, but luckily no-one told him as he glided in following a beautiful line from twenty metres out. Saints 22 Bath 9.

Once again Bath came back. 25 mins in Robbie Morris comes on for Kempson as Bath are camped on the Saints line. But again the defence holds firm. Then on 28 mins the try of the season. Buy the video, record next weeks rugby club; whatever you do watch this one again and again. I haven't got the faintest idea how many pairs of hands this one went through or who they all were, I was too busy jumping up and down shouting. But I do know it went from under our posts to Bruce scoring under theirs. The move looked like it had broken down a few times only for another pass to be slipped away and the forward progression to continue. Saints backs are not up to it. But luckily no-one told them as they passed their way from one end of the pitch to the other. Conversion followed 29-9 and the bonus point. Job done.

The remainder of the game came and went. Bath eventually got their try through Beattie from close range to make it 29-14 and Mr White finally did the right thing by the Saints supporters and blew for full time.

So what did we learn? Well nothing really it was only one game. The lineout did well but stuttered a couple of times; the scrum did well but stuttered a couple of times. The breakdown was superb with the new captain leading the way. Saints aggressive defence, rucking and mauling turned over a lot of ball and the trys from deep were a joy to watch. I guess we also saw why Larry started the game with some very astute kicking from hand and the forwards showed that they will mix it with anyone. Bath are still a very good and strong side. Lack a bit of invention maybe but they are big and they are uncompromising.

"So Howlin, how does it feel to beat last seasons table toppers, score four superb trys and gain a bonus point on the opening day of the season" Eyes twinkle, fails to suppress grin...."Its Nice".   

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