By St Dormouse
November 4 2013

Regular COYSDC contributor, St Dormouse, looks back at a Sunday afternoon where Saints banished last season's demons and ground out a hard fought win at the MadStad...

London Irish 14 Northampton 19

Sunday 3^rd November KO 14.00

And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, for our main event of the afternoon, we have the James O'Connor show. May I introduce to you in the green corner with 2 wins, no draws and 4 loses, the local hero James O'Connor... cue subdued mumbling from a mostly empty and soulless ground. And today’s challengers in bright yellow, with 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat from Northampton...James O'Connor....  

After last week’s almost perfect performance it would have been too much to expect Northampton to destroy London Irish the way they did Saracens, but despite the predictable and somewhat defeatist calls of ’banana skin’ from every angle I was hoping that the Saints would at least carry on with a similar intensity and grab the 4 points if not 5 that they were capable of. As it happened the game was a much closer affair and all credit to James O'Connor...sorry London Irish for their sheer grit and determination not to roll over when Northampton really could have run away with the game. Of course maybe I should have given Irish more credit, after all they have some seasoned internationals in their squad even after the Great Bath bring and buy sale, including James O'Connor, Ian Gough, James O'Connor, John Yapp, James O'Connor, Tomaaaaaas O Leary, and did I mention James O'Connor?

It started well enough for Saints with Dickinson again catching and carrying well, ably assisted by Samu Manoa who seems to have regained last season’s form and some quick ball (at last) from Kahn Fotuali’i.  Quickly gaining a degree of control a kick to the corner failed to produce a score but was quickly followed by 3 points from Saints number 10 James O'Connor*(1). Irish responded in kind 5 minutes later but another penalty and a splendid try from Saints full back James O'Connor *(2) following some good pressure put the Saints firmly in control. After a number of frankly disappointing catch and drives from the lineout, it was the first time Saints had thrown the ball out wide after a training pitch move from the lineout. All looked pretty good and the boys were definitely in charge. Surely it was only a matter of time before Irish capitulated. Wrong. To be fair to them Irish came back with a decent attack which should really have been stubbed out at source, and James O'Connor of course gave the final pass to himself, *(3) on the wing for a score on half time.

After 15 minutes of the James O'Connor love in show, presumably presented from BT Sports new Brighton studios, we resume on 11-16 and I have to say I was starting to get a tad worried. Irish were stating to gain confidence and in my opinion dominated a second half which produced plenty of good running and some sterling defense from the likes of Burrell, both Pisis and Fotuali’i and even though the first tackle was often missed, the second rarely was. Captain Phil Dowson had his best game in a Saints shirt for many a moon, always there to clear up dropped balls and carry us out of danger. There was only a penalty apiece, both scored by James O'Connor, *(4)(5) despite some good attacking play and the match ended, to my relief at Irish 14 Saints 19.

For me I think Northampton could have been a bit more adventurous when it was obvious that the rolling maul was not really working. Ok this is the opinion of a pretty poor ex fullback that only once made it to the dizzy heights of Rushden and Higham 2nds (on the wing where I could do less damage) and a couple of games of murder ball for HMS Manchester, but the Wilson try was so lovely to watch one wonders why the forwards think they can do it all themselves. On the good side the defense was superb and Luther, Khan, Dowson and once again Smyler stood out for me. I will not complain about an away win especially after last season at the same venue and we remain in 2^nd place going into the LV. Man of the match was, quite rightly, awarded to Northampton Captain James O'Connor*(6) but there is no doubt who BT Sport have elected as carnival Queen for next year’s pride march along the sea front. That’s right, London Irish man of the match John Yapp.....no sorry, you know, thingamy jig, what’s his name, the highlighted Aussie a bit fond of his Fosters..Damn it I’ve forgotten his name.

For those of you good enough to forgive my petulance please substitute the following names

*(1) Steve Myler (2) James Wilson (3) Sailosi Tagicakibau (4) Steve Myler (5) Ian Humphreys (6) Phil Dowson.

Thanks for reading.

News: Saints Defence Stands Firm To Down Irish

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 04/11/2013 23:15

ComeOnYouSaints.com
04/11/2013 23:15

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Phil.
04/11/2013 23:17

Apologies for the delay in getting the report published, Mark, sometimes the real world gets in the way!


Many thanks, good Sir!

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Eif Jones
05/11/2013 02:03

Actually O'Connor was the MOM and was a class above anybody else on the pitch.

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Neil-H
05/11/2013 05:00

Eif never watched the game, but having watched O'Connor for last 5 years he always has been world class and on paper the best player on the pitch, so he should have won it IMHO

Lions lucky with fall out of Deanes n such n he played at 10 etc

Good player best of luck to him

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Bronts144
05/11/2013 07:35

Eif obviously you didn't keep an eye on Luther throughout the game, O'Connor was very impressive indeed but hardly a class above Luther. If you can, try and watch a recording of the game again, as it will help.

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St Dormouse
05/11/2013 07:38

I've had another look, twice in fact, and at no stage can I see anywhere that I said O Connor was a bad player or had a bad game. My Piece is a sarcastic dig at BT sport's coverage which even they themselves apologized for. There are 4 spaces left for match reports this month. I look forward to seeing your name down Mr Jones. I would be fascinated to see if you had anything nice to say about The Saints.
As for your comment Neil have you actually read it? You did not watch the game but would have given MOM to O Connor. When did the MOM award last get given for reputation? By all means slag my piece off, that's what the thread is for, but at least talk some sense please.
Edited due to overly defensive early morning grumps. Sorry if I said anything offensive.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:11:05:08:19:21 by St Dormouse.

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Christa aka SaintCS
05/11/2013 08:11

St dormouse, absolutely love your match report. A piece of great writing, your take on the O'Connor angle made me smile, brilliant.
It's exactly how I saw our game, right down to being a tad worried. Here is hoping you will write many more reports.





Dream as if you will live forever,
Live as if you'll die today

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St George
05/11/2013 08:25

Excellent report and amusing. I thought Luther was the best player on the pitch but all did well particularly in defence. Tough game especially after the effort against Saracens so a good result.

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ElmaFudd.
05/11/2013 08:49

What I can't uderstand is why you didn't mention James O'conner St D, he was clearly the MOTM. Good write up sir.

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Casual Saint
05/11/2013 11:57

Exellent write up Sir ! More than happy to see the BT Sport Jimmy OC show highlighted ... I was actually most surprised not to see him being awarded MOM. Only caught the final 15 min but likewise found it a very worrying 15 mins, so mostly hid in the kitchen and peeled spuds.

Once a scrum half .... always a scrum half

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Lambo
05/11/2013 13:25

Really good match report. Made me laugh.Thanks.

Cheers, James(1) of LI



(1) honestly!

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SaintsDuncan
05/11/2013 19:35

Quote:

St Dormouse
When did the MOM award last get given for reputation?

Errrrr...I don't know.



When did Barnes last comment on a live rugby match?

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LaurieK
05/11/2013 19:48

There were clearly 14 other Not Not players who were a class above everybody else on the pitch. We were lucky to get a losing bonus point.

Which game are we talking about!!!!!

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