Northampton Saints
News: DOMINANT: Saints (57) Swat Wasps (10)
By Tom Carmichael
February 5 2012
The Saints trashed their under-strength visitors at a freezing Franklins Gardens and a home LV semi-final awaits against, what for …the Scarlets. Revenge is in the air and Eif has got his excuses in early.
LV= Cup Round 4 Northampton Saints v London Wasps
Saturday 4th February
Franklin's Garden's KO 3pm
Although there seemed to be gaps a-plenty in the ground, we were told that over 12.000 hardly souls resisted the temptation of the Six Nations openers on TV and braved the Arctic temperatures coupled with the prospect of snow. Piggy had kept the pitch enveloped and it was in near-perfect condition whilst sport throughout the country was called off. The relaxed talk in the stands was about keeping warm and whether we could seal the bonus point before the white stuff arrived. Winning the bonus point proved easier than keeping warm. Our visitors offered little apart from a fine individual try by Joe Simpson smarting from Dicko getting the England nod in front of him. However this is a little unfair on a Saints team who played with real purpose from start to finish.
One of the highlights of the early exchanges was Uncle Geoff’s announcement of cars blocking the reptile shop. Maybe Wasps are not reptiles but they could find no way out from their own half as the Saints piled on the pressure. Try scoring chances were missed, notably when Myler’s pass hit Downey with the line at his mercy and several overlapping Saints waiting. It was almost too easy until Andy Long, determined to seize the rare opportunity of a starting place, went over for his first Saints try. James Craig also had a maiden touchdown, to be followed by Noah Cato after the break.
Digger was looking safe under the high ball and coming increasingly into the game with his running. He looks a nailed-on starter at 15 when the league resumes next week. What of the other spots available? Stuart Lancaster may ask for some Saints game time for Courtney and Tom wood in the next couple of weeks. If so, Christian Day was showing no intention of surrendering his shirt easily.
Just before halftime a semi-blocked Myler grubber bounced somewhat luckily for Jamie Elliott, but the young man is developing an Ashtonesque habit of being in the right place at the right time. Two tries today took him to 7 for the season from 9 starts. It looks like a fight between Artemyev and Cato for the other wing slot. If Noah looks a little casual, there’s no doubting the man has talents and Jim is selecting from strength at 14 and 11.
Half time arrived with the Saints 22-3 up. Seldom has the warmth of the Rodber seemed so welcoming. What magnificent facilities we have after the primitive delights of the Rec and MK…well let’s not renew that debate.
Second half: Well Stuart Barnes provocatively sees the international-less Saints side as just a scrum. But what a scrum! Tiny made Ben Broster’s Gardens return distinctly unhappy, whilst replacement prop McIntyre was soon yellow carded. A massive maul drove 20+ metres and referee Dean Richards awarded a bonus point penalty try. Tiny and Mooj trotted off to put their feet up but there was no let-up for Wasps as Waller and Mercey took their chances. Changes too at centre as Munster-bound James Downey and George were rested. May on and Elliott to 13.
What of Stephen Myler? He made a few half-breaks and got the line going well. His goalkicking is metronomic this year and there was just one miss today. Ryan Lamb obviously offers more in attack but, after a bad Saxons night at Galashiels, Jim may be tempted to spare the ex-Cherry and White the baiting of the Shed at Kingsholm next Saturday.
The traffic was all one-way towards the South Stand with second half tries for Waller, Elliott and a brace for Cato. Many of the crowd missed a few of these as they drifted off to warm up and get home for the Calcutta Cup. They missed some exciting Saints play with substitute Academy scrum half showing great speed to the breakdown and the ability to get the ball out quickly. With Alex Day debuting for England Under-20 today, there is an encouraging depth in that position.
The next few weeks offer much sterner tests with so many stars away. If the boys play like that…..who knows?
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Tetleys Block F E143
Quote:Confused of Cardiff
The bonus point they needed to secure a home LV= Cup semi-final at Northampton Saints
Read More [www.walesonline.co.uk]
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Quote:How do teams qualify for the knockout stages?
The top teams from each pool qualify for the knockout stages.
The pool winners will be decided by the following criteria:
1. The pool winner will be the club with the highest number of match points in each pool. The pool winners will be ranked 1 to 4 by reference to the number of match points earned in the pools.
2. If two or more clubs in the same pool end the pool stage equal on match points, then the order in which they have finished will be determined by:
i. the greater number of matches won by the club and
ii. if the number of matches won is equal, the club with the greater total number of tries scored and
iii. if the total number of tries scored is equal, the club with the greater points difference (points scored for, less points scored against) and
iv. if the points difference is equal, the club with the fewer number of red cards
and
v. if the number of red cards is the same, by the toss a coin.
How are semi-final matches agreed?
Each of the four qualifying clubs shall be ranked as above and shall play each other as follows:
Semi-final 1 - 1st ranked club v 4th ranked club
Semi-final 2 - 2nd ranked club v 3rd ranked club
The first club listed in each of the semi-final matches shall be the home club.
I read that as Saints at home on superior tries scored.
A great read, btw, Tom. Many thanks!
Well writ and nicely balanced!
*I could agree with you - but then we'd both be wrong...*
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