By Tom Carmichael
January 1 2012

Over the years Newcastle’s Kingston Park has often been a cold, windy and inhospitable place for visiting teams as the Great Geordie Unwashed on the John Smith terrace beat out choruses of Blaydon Races. This year the cold and wind had gone and the locals are quickly losing confidence in their team’s ability to avoid the drop. The Falcons’ threat was limited; the Saints surely could only be beaten by themselves and by half-time they were trying to do so. Second half; different story.

Aviva Premiership Round 12

Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints

Kingston Park Saturday 31st December 2011

KO 2pm

Falcons 14 Saints 32

Young Jamie Elliott was a late withdrawal with a muscle strain and Scott Armstrong came in. Former Falcon Tom May joined the bench; last time he scored twice against his old team mates. Digger seemed happy to return as travelling reserve. Armstrong is a bulky target but twice the ball was thrown over his head into touch and Ryan Lamb kicked the first of three balls directly into touch. Ball after ball was lost. Fortunately the Falcons seemed determined to out-error the Saints. Their lineout was a complete shambles and Euan Murray seemed to have no answer to Tiny and friends at the scrummage.

In amongst the shambles, Lamb kicked a penalty and a sublime kick from the smiling Samoan, Pisi, was snapped up by the ever-alert Ben Foden for his first try. But more Saints’ errors and the Falcons worked the ball out to the speedy Hufanga , Vasily was skinned and the hosts had a try. Dead-eye kicker Jimmy Gopperth, the man who never fails from the tee, missed the conversation. Your correspondent had already noted a successful kick!

Half time 13-11 to the Saints. It was pretty poor stuff considering the forward dominance. The Falcons fans in the bars and bogs were pretty upbeat.

Into the second half and things got worse. The Saints were penalised at the breakdown and Gopperth banged the kick over; Falcons ahead. Now the Lamb critics were silenced by an inch-perfect kick and Ben followed up for number two. Ryan kicked his second touchline conversion. It was all coming together at last; the forwards were dominant and Ryan was calling the shots. Pisi just failed to touch down as Mr Wigglesworth played the advantage. Back we came; Lamb kicked to the corner, Courtney won the lineout and Tiny was driven over.

Three tries after 58 minutes! Vasily might have scored after another Lamby cross kick and Manning (Mr Unpopular for his Oscar-winning injury performance at FG) thwarted the Russian winger again. Gopperth was trying his usual tricks after a marginal late tackle. The referee was not conned into a yellow card but gave one soon after to Swinson for a high tackle. The Falcons were finished; in truth they had been finished for a while. Two minutes to go; Ben, Vasily , inside to Tom May and it was the bonus point try. Repeat: BONUS POINT TRY. The John Smith  Terrace weren’t happy as their former hero threw the ball in amongst them in celebration. Some of the Blaydon idiots treated us to a feeble chorus of “I’d rather be a Falcon than a Saint”- I know which I’d rather be.

A long, long drive home for me but I suspect there were a few well-deserved New Year’s beers on the coach.

Roger Wilson Talks about his hundredth appearance for Saints at Kingston Park:

Two Try Foden says:

News:Falcons 14 Saints 32 5 Point New Year Cheer for Saints

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 01/01/2012 16:17

ComeOnYouSaints.com
01/01/2012 16:17

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Phil.
01/01/2012 19:08

Good stuff, Tom.

Much appreciated!

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ballagher
01/01/2012 20:37

A good start to the New Year Tom. Thanks.

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Flinstone Saint
01/01/2012 22:06

Many thanks Tom. Wasn't there and can't bear to listen to it on the radio so your report it greatly appreciated.

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Please sponsor me for Saints with Heart [www.justgiving.com]

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Saint Tim
01/01/2012 23:22

Thanks Tom. Great read.



“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

Tetleys Block F E143

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Lesley K
02/01/2012 10:52

Yes thank you.

A game we often get to but unfortunately not this year. Managed to listen on the radio but not something I would like to do every week.

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tedge
02/01/2012 11:55

Just watched the whole game for free on Premiership Rugby Tv. It was a satisfying all round performance

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Saint Dom in Hanoi
02/01/2012 13:00

Thanks Tom, good to read and glad you were there to give us the flavour of the occasion!

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propajob
02/01/2012 13:48

Thanks for the review

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glorydayz
02/01/2012 16:13

Thanks very much for the report. Had planned on going this years as this is the only away ground I hadn't been to - but the change of day put the kibosh on that. Good to get first hand reporting

alive and well in Shrubbery Terrace

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