Northampton Saints
News: Ecstasy for Munster - Saints Didn't Plan For Nigel
By desbralass
November 13 2011
It was agony for Northampton Saints on Saturday evening as a last-gasp Ronan O'Gara drop-goal denied them a famous Thomond Park victory. COYSDC contributor desbralass looks back on an eventful evening...
Heineken Cup - Pool One, Match One
MUNSTER 23 - 21 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Thomond Park, Limerick
Saturday, 12th November 2011 - 6pm
From the Sofa
We switched on the telly to hear Dewi Morris say that Saints took an age to get off the bus. Clearly a statement of intent, then Dyl lead the team into the stadium to sack fortress Thomond Park. We shall see...
Back in the studio,Paul Wallace didn't seem confident. Again,we shall see...
With kick off approaching, Dyl led his boys out to what must have been a wall of sound and amazing cries of "Munster, Munster". That was nothing to the increased intensity when Munster took to the pitch. Indeed had there been a roof on the stadium, it surely would have lifted right off.
We were all ready for the match to start, but it seemed that Sir wasn't. Looked like a problem with his corsets...maybe one who was there could enlighten us, as the camera moved away at this point. Soon mended though, to ironic cheers!
And so it started, with Ryan Lamb kicking off Saints European campaign. What I believed was a knock on went backwards according to NO (referee, Nigel Owens). Hmmm...
Saints first lineout ended by being turned over, but Longarm saves the day by putting in an early trademark tackle. Munster soon had a lineout within panicking distance of Saints line, a driving unstoppable maul and 5 points it is to the men in red through Varly. The noise was immense, but when Mr ROG stepped up for the conversion, the silence was just as intense. With the extras added, it looked like the home side would be in the driving seat.
Lamby was the first to shed the claret in the cause, but a handful of vaseline soon had him back to kicking duties. Hands in the ruck and penalty attempt it is. Again the silence was very respectful. But it was most probably on the edge of the Lambsters range, dropping short...but not by much.
After the restart, Saints had a lineout, which was passed out to the backs, Vas offloading to Foden, who has time to look for his constant shadow and you could FEEL the try coming. Ash took it beautifully and 5 points it was. YES! A lovely conversion from the wounded Lamb and Thomond Park went a little quiet, especially when the fullback called "mark"...then stepped out of his 22 to take the kick. OOPS! Lineout to the Jimmies, rolling maul and penalty for pulling down. The kick was converted into 3 more for Saints. Bootiful.
More lovely rugby from Saints, then they spoilt it by being offside..penalty kicked to touch for another rolling maul and Munster were through...but Ref called the forward pass, quite rightly. Saints scrum ended with them getting a penalty, kick up field and it's more handbags. Sir then chatted to the captains, assuring them that he was in charge and cards would be used.
Saints next points came after Cap'n Dyl carried the ball and was tackled to the ground. I thought he was holding on,but the replay showed sculduggery from the man in red...hands where they shouldn't have been. Up steps Lamb,3 more to Jimmies. Sweet!
With 23 mins on the clock, Munster had a lineout, but the SH didn't catch it...scrum Saints. After resetting, Saints get a good shove on it but, according to NO, it went around. Hmmm. Munster put in, ball popped out, Woody pounced, but knocked it on. Offside apparently, up stepped ROG, but I think this one didn't go over...
Back up into Saints half and Munster's lineout went well, nice chip through, Ashy and Hurley both going for the ball,with Saints flying winger just getting a finger tip on the egg and putting it just beyond the reach of the Munster man. Upstairs for a look we go, 22 drop out it was. The kick from RL then decided to go right up the other end of the field and over the deadball line...so all the way back to set a scrum for Munster...Saints deemed to have gone up and while we watched the replay, the silence again decended over Thomond Park, so we knew what we'd be seeing. Sure enough ROG adds 3 more with half time rapidly approaching.
But disaster! Curse of the commentators or what? The words were barely out of Morris's mouth...he'd said that perhaps Munster could finish the half how they'd started it...and sure enough they did. Howlett in under the posts for an easy 7.
This is when my video decided that it wouldn't record the game, so indian snacks and a glass of wine it was. Comfort food...
The second half got under way in much the same way as the first ended.Saints offside,penalty,3 more for the home side.
But then Munster tried their best to keep Saints in the game. They very generously went offside right in front of the posts.
Munster then kicked downfield while Ben Foden was having treatment, but it's touch in goal. An excellent scrum from Saints and a penalty, but the kick doesn't go over...were the boys suffering from the wind? Who knows...
But if we couldn't score from kicks then we'd need tries and that's where the next score came from. Try Downey! Looked dubious from the sofa, but sir had it right. A Munster hand tried to intercept, but Sir called play on and another 5 to the men in Green Black 'n' Gold!
With Sar'nt Wilson looking like a Kamikazee Pilot and cries of Moooj coming over loud and clear, Saints looked like they could win this, but Munster also looked dangerous.
Another Saints penalty, kicked to touch and a good lineout. Clarke took it well, shipped to Foden who stretched his legs, keeping his feet under him after an attempted tap tackle. Passed to Ash who charged up the wing, chipped through for a certain try for Comrade Vas..but NOOOO! He just couldn't gather it.
Back in the Munster half and the bench were coming on. Dowson and Sammy were 2 that I'd noticed,when Mooj had a cuddle with O'Callaghan. Slapped wrists, scrum reset. The resulting penalty was kicked to touch, but knocked on. On 70 mins, Munster had a penalty-very kickable, but nerves or the elements decided that it wasn't to be. A rare miss from ROG that would have given the hosts the lead. If this game had been at Kingsholm...
A great cheer announced the arrival of another replacement for Munster. John Hayes marked his 100th appearance. On 72 mins, and after a lovely run from Fodes, Dowson passed to Vas who again knocked on. Pisi replaced Foden at this point.Wonder how he'll do...
The next lineout for Saints gained a penalty for interfering with Woody.
Munster then had a scrum. I noticed their hooker has his head touching the floor! Reset, and the feed from the scrum half went to the back row...well (not) spotted ref...
The clock was almost on 80 and the whole of Thomond Park was waiting for the DG to win it for Munster. When it didn't come there was a collective "ooh" from the watching crowd.
We then witnessed the most intense and nerve wracking rugby, matched only by the game at FG the first time that Munster visited. Time was up, Munster were in posession and we were all waiting for the mistake that would surely come. A fumble from the team in possesion of the egg, or a silly penalty from the side defending as though their very lives depended upon it. 10 phases, 20 phases, 30 phases and now Munster were getting ever closer to the whitewash. But still they advanced. 41 phases of play and then it came. That heartbreaking moment that had me shouting "NOOO!", that moment that Ronan O'Gara received the ball and struck it oh-so-sweetly, that moment of disbelief and joy that took Munster into the lead and that moment that said 83+ mins on the clock and game over. That moment that I felt very proud of our boys. And it certainly didn't feel like we'd lost.
Well played Saints and also congratulations to Munster. Be assured of very warm welcome at MKSaints in January.
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Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 13/11/2011 13:41
ComeOnYouSaints.com
13/11/2011 13:41
13/11/2011 13:41
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Nice read Desbralass.Glad to note your headline was not borne out in your restrained, accurate text.
My headline, tedge, nowt to do with dessy.
Not meant to be taken too seriously...
Not meant to be taken too seriously...
Ah well Phil, many a journalist has complained about the headline writer but I appreciate the need to catch the eye !
A very good write up and the whole Saints team can be proud of their achievment and we can`t blame Nigel Owens for the mistakes as he does have 2 assistant referees. Munster are a good side who never give up and credit to both teams for a exciting match.
Thanks desbraless, nicely restrained.
Did Nigel Owens deduct us a point for dissent, or for being English, or something?
Did Nigel Owens deduct us a point for dissent, or for being English, or something?
Just realised that I forgot to thank Desbra for her sterling work.
It really is appreciated, Lesley. Thank you!
It really is appreciated, Lesley. Thank you!
Thanks for you kind words folks.It was a pleasure and didn't feel like hard work!
Bridesmaids no more.
Bridesmaids no more.
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