By Tom Carmichael
November 18 2013

 The Madejski Stadium clearly wasn’t on too many people’s list for a return visit just two weeks after our league win there. I was a bit late leaving home. But no problems on the motorways and parking was easy. Few others decided to bother . A bit under 6,000 people rattled around in the soul-less stands. Gangs of school kids got in for a tenner (or less?) which boosted numbers a tad but did little for the atmosphere.

London Irish 18 - 39 Northampton Saints

LV= Cup: Pool Match (Round Two)

Match Report

Three of the NotNots were also new to the ground. The towering Toolis twins from NZ via Edinburgh and Danny Kenny, that rarest of beasts...an Irishman playing for London Irish. Shane Geraghty, ex of this parish and due to skipper, failed to get past the warm-up. The Saints had most of last week’s triumphant team. Sensibly, Alex Waller finally got a rest but Christian Day and Salesi Ma’afu came in to add experience and weight, in that order.

NotNots coach, Brian Smith , is a man under pressure. A quick glance at the on-line Craic and there’s severe restlessness about. He’s declared that he’s not interested in the two cups. It hasn’t won him many brownie points. The feeling is that his team’s not much interested either. That’s a little unfair. NotNots were full of endeavour but the Saints had the organisation.

Glenn Dickson got the scoreboard moving with a couple of penalties and the Saints nearly scored after a breakout from a turnover. Welsh ref  Rhys Thomas , not for the last time, showed clemency to the defending side. Our boys weren’t to be denied for long. Ben Nutley intercepted on the Saints 22 and immediately gained 5 metres on the defenders. He ran 50 lonely metres looking for support. It finally arrived in the form of Howard Packman who dived over for his first try for the first team. His Dad, Frank scored 178 tries for the Saints; the sky’s the limit for Frank’s lad.

The pack had the measure of the NotNots' eight and Alex Day was distributing well. Things were sometimes breaking down further out but, when Ethan Waller got his first Saints try, we were looking good. This was scored with Tom Collins filling in at scrum half for the sin-binned Day.

In the second half Irish managed to rumble over for a couple of tries but the pretty scrum half wrap-around moves they tried two weeks ago got them about as far this week. Change the record, Brian Smith.

Ben Nutley scored a well–deserved try, the subs poured on and the Saints went in search of a bonus point try. It would be easy to say that it should have been scored. GJVV’s hands let him down once, Glenn Dickson passed into touch, Mr Thomas called as back for offence unknown and then failed to penalise a NotNots’ pack that disintegrated on its own line and finally they pushed us off our own ball.

The Irish Ambassador to Great Britain was selecting the MoM. Welshman Darren Allinson was given it…ah well. It was obvious to all Saints supportersthat it was Ben Nutley.

4 games without our star international players...4 wins but, more importantly, we’ve learned that the boys can step up and play like men. We’ve seen the future. It’s  Gold , Black and Green.

News: LV= CUP: Young Saints Continue the Progress at Irish

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 18/11/2013 16:15

ComeOnYouSaints.com
18/11/2013 16:15

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Phil.
18/11/2013 16:20

Ladies and Gentlepeeps,

Tom (tws) offered to step into the breach this morning (Mon) as no one had put their hand up to write a report for Sunday's game. Can I just put on record the appreciation of the Eds to Tom for taking the time to write a few words for COYSDC - it is really appreciated!

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Saint Tim
18/11/2013 16:46

Hear hear



“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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Chris Hoddle
18/11/2013 16:50

Well done Tom!
Didn't see you yesterday but knew you would be around somewhere.
Agree about Ben Nutley

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LaurieK
18/11/2013 16:56

Thanks tws. Once for going and again for writing a great report.

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Flinstone Saint
18/11/2013 18:12

I would like to add my thanks too Tom.

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

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Aylesbury Saint
18/11/2013 19:42

Did think the MOTM thing was a bit odd - the Irish fans around me were booing when it was given

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morse
18/11/2013 20:59

Is it me? or do others agree that the Madejski stadium is made more "soul less" but the thoroughly nauseating stadium announcer constantly bellowing out " CUM....ON.....YEW........OIRISH!!!!!!!! and his belittling demeanour to the visiting team.

I've put up with it for several seasons but I've cried enough now.

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Howlin
18/11/2013 21:27

Thanks TWS. Appreciation from here too. It is of no surprise to me that one of the more sensible posters has put themselves out to make a positive contribution to the site. Well done mate.

Saint til I die

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Casual Saint
19/11/2013 08:50

Excellent report, especialy for a last minute request. Matches with what I heard on Radio Northants. The only frustration was the failure to get 5 points, but i'm sure we would have all take 4 at kick off. Lennie Newman's disbelief when the ref gave a penalty against Saints when they were going for a penalty try at the end was most amusing.

Agree about the Stadium Announcer - deeply annoying, even on the radio !

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

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