Northampton Saints
News: Saints turn it round against the Dragons
By Dave Jackson
November 19 2012
Matches against Welsh sides always seem to hold something special for me. South Wales has been a place long associated with Rugby and Brains Beer. When the chance came in 1995 to move with work to Cardiff I grabbed the chance and spent 9 years there during which time I watched a lot of rugby as a neutral and had the odd rare treat of a Saints match in South Wales (remember the Cardiff and Swansea rebel season). Looking back in my records the last time I saw Saints at Rodney Parade was October 2nd 1996 when Saints were comfortable 67 – 19 winners – Travelling down on the Saturday with this previous win in mind we headed to Cardiff.
LV= Cup round 2
Newport Gwent Dragons v Northampton Saints
Sunday 18th November 2012
Rodney Parade KO 3.15
Staying with friends in Cardiff (One a Bath fan the other an Ospreys fan) first priority was to watch the England game, this was achieved over some Brains Dark in the Old Arcade one of the great rugby pubs of Cardiff, Tom Wood played well and that was about the highlight of the England match. Had the usual night out in Canton meeting up with old friends and then to bed. Next morning brought a mug of tea served in a Bath Rugby mug and Bacon Sandwich but all too soon it was time to say farewell to friends and head to Newport.
Never being one to turn down a chance for some good beer headed to the Pen and Wig in Newport which now seems to have become a good outlet for local Welsh beers. The locally brewed ‘Tiny Rebel’ Fubar was on great form as was the landlord trying to persuade everyone to stay and drink his beer and watch the match on the TV instead. Saying farewell to this fine establishment it was time to walk to Rodney Parade. Slightly surprised to find the area where I have stood in the past was now the shiny new Bisley Stand so had to stand on opposite terrace. Looking back again at my records shows the last time I was at Rodney Parade was 17th Feb 2003 for a Newport v Neath league match – Saints connection – well a certain former Saint Andy Newman was playing on that occasion in a thrilling match in which Duncan Jones played as hooker and Newport were 22 points up at Half Time. The 2nd half was a complete reversal and Neath took the lead 27 – 25. With 5 minutes extra already played Percy Montgomery had a simple penalty to win the game for Newport and pulled it wide – Would we see the same drama today?
Stood among a good mix of Saints and Dragons fans the game kicked off and Saints had some good early pressure and following an offside decision Ryan Lamb was given a pretty easy shot at goal. Now at this stage I should add that I have long held the belief that sides taking a 3–0 lead often go on to lose the match, maybe one of the stats guys on this site can say whether this is true or not but Ryan Lamb clearly agreed with me and avoided Saints taking the dreaded 3-0 lead, Saints kept up the pressure and after 13 minutes Ryan Lamb went back on his earlier decision and put us into the dreaded 3–0 lead. As if often the case the scores were soon level with a long Dragons penalty. After another simple Ryan Lamb penalty we were treated to our first try of the afternoon from Tonderai Chavhanga. Whilst the space was created with some well practised blocking moves there was no doubt this lad had pace and plenty of it. A quick look at Google backs this up claiming he can run 100m in 10.27 seconds. Ryan Lamb had another chance before Half Time but pulled it left leaving the home side with a 10–6 lead.
The second half saw Mooj coming on and having an instant effect – penalty Saints and easy three points. Having seen his fellow Zimbabwean make an impact it was not long before Chavhanga scorched in for his 2nd try of the match though the conversion was missed it gave the home side a 15–9 lead. Dragons fan nearby had a spread bet giving Dragons and 11 point start was by now looking forward to collect his winnings, This score spurred Saints pack on a string move saw Phil Dowson score Saints first try of the match with Ryan Lamb adding the extras. At this stage Saints forwards really took control with some real power forcing Newport to concede 6 more points from the boot of Ryan Lamb and then earn themselves a yellow card. With Dragons now on the back foot Saints again drove forward and Ryan Lamb made a cross field kick that to everyone looked too strong and going dead but Jamie Elliott was on hand to catch and dot the ball down and despite the missed conversion Saints were now in a commanding 27 – 15 lead. There then followed a bit of madness which ended with Chavhanga again scorching down the wing to dot down his third try of the afternoon – well we say a try as that is what the statistics say but he clearly had a foot in touch which was missed by the officials, I can only guess as he goes so fast they blinked and missed it. Now with just the 7 point lead it was time to see if Saints could close out a game. For once they did a good job of it with Ryan Lamb adding a sensible Drop Goal and then holding for a 30 – 20 win.
Was good to head back home with the win from South Wales. Looking further in Tonderai Chavhanga history I see he made his South African debut in June 2005 against Uruguay when he scored 6 tries in his debut match. For me Samu Manoa was man of the match though Mooj made a real difference in the 2nd half. The Dragons fan near me left happy as the 10 point margin meant he could still collect his bet and we can now look forward to league action resuming next week with the losing streak now ended,
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Stumbleupon19/11/2012 19:13
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Nice one Dave. Agree with your MOTM too. Samu was relentless.----------------------------------------
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Tetleys Block F E143
Quote:Mrs Sumo
You can clearly hear the referee say that he got back to his feet and presumably he was happy with that.....
I heard that too - but together with the foot in touch - it doesn't fit Eif's script - so it cannot be so.
David L
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