By Saintwhee
December 26 2012

There had been a more optimistic feeling surrounding the Saints over the last week. Memories of the humiliation by Ulster on our own patch a fortnight ago had been dulled, if not banished, by a vastly improved performance and a narrow win at Ravenhill. The Quins were coming to town, to meet a resurgent Saints side who would surely swat them aside in similar fashion to the equivalent fixture last season...

Aviva Premiership Round 11

Northampton Saints v Harlequins

22nd December 2012 KO 15:15

Franklin's Gardens

And then came the rain. I have to confess that when I saw the weather forecast for the game my heart sank slightly. I was bringing a friend to the game, who I hoped was to be a rugby convert, and the suspicion was that this game would be defined by the downpours with instances of flowing rugby few and far between. Unfortunately this proved to not be too far from the truth.

It was clear from the off that this would be a forward dominated game. It was therefore worrying that the first points of the match came from Nick Evans off the tee after the Harlequins scrum had marched the Saints pack backwards some ten metres. These fears were almost immediately allayed as some powerful mauling gained some ground in the Quins half, but the ball was turned over in midfield.

Try scoring opportunities would clearly be few and far between, but two were exchanged in rapid succession between the teams; Matt Hopper failing to hold onto a pass that surely would have sent him under the sticks, and then a Saints breakaway after Samu Manoa charged down an attempted kick by Evans. Sadly the ball could not quite be worked wide and the chance was lost. Some more good work from Manoa after a 22 drop-out did ultimately lead to Stephen Myler levelling up the match at 3 apiece.

This was followed by a moment that could have been a match changer. Saints turned over the ball on the Quins’ 22 and moved it through the hands to Ben Foden on the left wing, who finished brilliantly. Sadly Wayne Barnes’ whistle had already gone for a forward pass earlier in the play by George Pisi. Replays suggested that this was marginal at best and the Franklins Faithful were certainly aggrieved. Myler missed a relatively simple penalty in the immediate aftermath to compound the Saintly frustration.

With the rain falling heavily, the game inevitably began to suffer as a consequence, with handling errors increasingly creeping in from both sides. Myler showed a couple of nice creative touches, including a Spencer-esque pass through the legs, and unfortunately a Saints lineout five metres from the Quins line was stolen. Mike Haywood seemed to get the jitters after this and the lineout would prove to be vulnerable for the rest of the game, though clearly the weather also played its part in this. Evans kicked another penalty and the score was 3-6 at the break

The second half, whilst seeing more points than the first, was not the most riveting rugby ever witnessed at the Gardens. Up and unders were the order of the day, but Mike Brown was having an excellent game for the Quins at full back and seemed to be having the sort of day where everything sticks. A Nick Easter break and chip over the top early in the half led to a period of pressure on the Saints line which ultimately came to nothing.

A James Johnston yellow card and a Myler penalty seemed to swing the game in Northampton’s direction, but the Saints would go on to lose this crucial ten minute period 6-3, and after going nine points behind the game looked over. A bonus point could have been secured after Ryan Lamb came on to kick a 3-pointer, but from the final play Saints conceded a penalty in front of the posts and even this consolation was lost, with a final score of 9-18.

So in conclusion, my friend says he will come again, but I have my doubts! A close game defined by a few key moments. We were narrowly beaten by a very good side and the result could have been very different had Foden’s score stood. Bring on the Sarries!

News: Saints lose out on Home LBP against Quins

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 26/12/2012 12:24

ComeOnYouSaints.com
26/12/2012 12:24

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:12:28:00:33:09 by St Marlowe.

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St Marlowe
26/12/2012 12:25

Thanks Saintwhee - not an easy report for your first! well done and hope your man-flu has subsided.

David L

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

- Live wrong and preposterously

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Saint Tim
26/12/2012 13:54

Thanks Mr Whee - as David says not an easy match for your first one. This man flu is so bad it has infected my good lady....



“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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