Saracens
A Home from Home
By Darraghgirl
October 29 2012
To the Nomads that are Saracens, Franklin’s Gardens is as close to home as we get! In fact only a few years ago it was home! The Gardens have been a happy hunting ground for Sarries in recent times with only 1 defeat in the last 4 Premiership games and after 2 excellent performances in Europe, the team must have felt confident as they took on the League Leaders (fascinating that this was Sarries’ first game this season that wasn’t televised! How times change!)
Little DG, friend and I made a lateish decision to go to the game. Due to tractors on the A507 and congestion on the M1 we missed the Gathering but made it in plenty of time for kick-off. We resisted the temptation to go for a deep-fried Mars Bar (I thought that was a Northern “delicacy”) and settled for chips and tea. The promised “sparkling” winter’ day looked optimistic as dark clouds began to roll in and we were glad we had all those extra layers. As always we appreciated the splendid ladies’ loos at the Gardens, they really are the best on the circuit!
The game started with a rather strange-looking scoreboard which stated Saints 24 Glasgow 15 but they were soon reminded who the opposition were! Ashton predictably was booed onto the pitch. Sarries started brightly and the tone was set when Saints were awarded a free kick in their own 22 and opted for a scrum! But the Sarries pack were up for it. With Mako newly selected into the elite England squad and Stevens improving every game plus of course Schalk Brits (or “Sclak” as he was announced – and congratulations on his Springbok call up, very well deserved) they won the hit and De Kock emerged with the ball and attacked before Barritt was penalised close to the try line for not releasing and Saints cleared their lines.
Sarries won a penalty which Farrell kicked from half way to take the lead then Myler replied to level the scores. Saints started attacking and both of their wings, Artemyev and Ken Pisi looked threatening. As it began to rain, several of the Sarries backs seemed to struggle with their footing, especially the normally exemplary Alex Goode (and it was notable he seemed to change his boots at half time). But the Sarries defence as always held firm with Barritt looking awesome and the line-out secure. As tends to be the case with Mr Small, the scrum was a bit of a lottery with both sides winning penalties.
About half way through the first half Artemyev was put through on the left wing and set off up field. Ashton launched himself from about 20m away and both players crashed into touch. The Saints fans, who had once worshipped the grass that Ashton walked on now bayed for his blood. Mr Small consulted with his touch judge but only gave a penalty and a few kind words to Ashton which didn’t go down very well with the natives. From where I was sitting, both players seemed to lose their footing on the slippery turf and the whole thing was made to look worse than it was. But I have also seen yellow cards given for less and at least Arteymyev didn’t have pigtails!
Hargreaves departed to the blood bin then Brits made one of his trademark breaks and put Tompkins free. He came steaming down the pitch pursued by a couple of Saints defenders and had he backed himself he might have made it but he caught Alex Goode out of the corner of his eye and slipped a lovely pass inside for Goode to score right in front of the Naughty Corner. Farrell converted and Sarries were now 10-3 ahead. Worse was to follow for Northampton as Courtney Lawes and Stephen Myler both hobbled off.
Both sides continued to attack as it began to rain. Sarries won a 5m lineout but the sun made an inopportune appearance just as Brits threw the ball in, shining right into his eyes and for once Northampton claimed the ball and cleared.
The weather deteriorated during the break with rain and hail now pouring into the stands, the roofs proving useless in the swirling arctic wind. Hartley didn’t appear for the 2nd half being replaced by Mike Haywood but it soon became apparent that if anything the Saints’ scrum was stronger. Lamb quickly kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit. A nice run from Strettle won Sarries a penalty in front of the posts and Farrell restored the lead. Northampton went on the attack but a knock on gave Sarries a scrum in their own 22. Saints heaved and turned the scrum. They won a free kick on their own put in but persisted with the scrum option. This time good work from the front row meant Sarries emerged with the ball in what was De Kock’s last action of the game.
Wigglesworth and Joubert took the field while Mujati replaced Doran Jones. Saints won a penalty and kicked to the Sarries 22. Sarries won a scrum from a messy lineout but instead of clearing the ball tried to drive it out of their own 22. After 2 failed attempts, Wiggy went for the box kick (when he had 3 kickers lined up behind him) slipped and handed the ball to Northampton. Fortunately Saints couldn’t take the chance and eventually Sarries won a penalty and cleared their lines although for once Owen missed touch and Saints attacked again. Fortunately another error gave Farrell a second chance and this time he found his touch.
Sarries almost scored again when the ball went free around half way and was hacked on towards the Northampton tryline. Ashton & Tompkins both raced after it but as the ball bounced awkwardly deep in the 22 neither of them could ground it. Nieto, Botha and Smit took the field. Wiggy kicked the ball straight out but again Northampton couldn’t capitalise on the error and Sarries cleared.
With about 10 minutes to go Farrell kicked another penalty to stretch the lead to 2 scores and The Gardens began to empty. One of the Sarries fans shouted “is there a fire drill?” Inevitably a round of “O when the Saints, go marching home” broke out although the Saints supporter next to us said rather ruefully “at least we’ve got a home to go to!” Just you wait til next year sir! Charlie came on for the last 10 minutes and well has Farrell had played, he just adds another dimension. He also showed a turn of foot and a neat tackle to force Artemyev into touch.
As the clock wound down, seagulls begun to circle the Sarries 22 like vultures waiting for the kill. As the ground rapidly emptied, Saints seemed to have given up – they even stopped booing Ashton (possibly because there weren’t any of them left!)
So a well deserved win and even if it is only for 24 hours, Sarries now lead the premiership. Barritt deservedly got man of the match for his one-man impersonation of Stonewall Jackson. I thought Tompkins again looked really good and Owen was much more like the Farrell we know and love. The front row performed well against “Tiny” and co and Maku certainly justified his call-up. He’s not yet the finished article but he’s going the right way. De Kock looked sharp and unfortunately Wiggy didn’t have one of his best games. Borthwick as always led from the front and it was good to see Joubert back.
So where shall we go next week? Anyone fancy Watford?
Northampton
Myler (May), K Pisi ,G Pisi, Waldouck (Burrell), Artemyev, Lamb, Dickson (Roberts), Tonga’uiha (Waller), Hartley (Haywood), Doran Jones (Mujati), Lawes (Manoa) , Sorenson, Dowson, Wood, Van Velze (Oakley)
Saracens
Goode, Ashton, Tompkins, Barritt, Strettle, Farrell (Hodgson), De Kock (Wigglesworth), Vunipola, Brits (Smit), Stevens (Nieto), Borthwick, Hargreaves (Botha), Brown, Fraser, Wray (Joubert)
Scores (Northampton first)
0-3 3-3 3-10 6-10 6-13 6-16
Scorers:
Northampton: Pens: Myler, Lamb
Saracens: Try: Goode, Conv: Farrell, Pens (3) Farrell
Referee Andrew Small
Attendance 13,475
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon29/10/2012 09:48
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2012:11:13:15:25:30 by TonyTaff.
Barritt's stats: 13 tackles, 0 missed. Most of those dominant tackles. Epic.
Are you sure on that? I didn't hear one boo till the bodycheck on the Russian, and then it was mostly the pantomime version when it was repeatedly shown on the screen.
David mentioned a "two footed tackle with no arms" that should have got a red. Moanjam mentioned something very disrespectful he did in front of C block. I've watched the game and not noticed either, and neither has said any more about it...
It's a long time since Sports network paid anything!
Away players didn't seem to wear a long enough stud; sometimes they were stupid enough to come out for the second half in the same boots
More Saracens headlines
- END OF SEASON POLL AT LAST
- PWR Semi Final and Final 2025-26 Report
- Saracens Women v Ealing Trailfinders PWR Final Report
- Saracens Women v Ealing Trailfinders PWR Final Preview
- MARK McCALL, AN APPRECIATION
- Saracens Women v Exeter Chiefs Women PWR Semi-Final Report
- Exeter Chiefs v Saracens Premiership Report
- EXETER v SARACENS: please post match related content here
- SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST