Northampton Saints
News: Saints Second String Sink Sorry Sarries.
By Howlin'
October 27 2013
Jannie de Beer, Victor Matfield, Charlize Theron, Basil Rathbone,Nelson Mandela, Doctor Death ……………………………………. your boys took one hell of a beating today! There will be a day when Saints lose a match ………………………. but not this day The keyboard warriors will tell us where we went wrong …………... but not this day The inconsistencies at the breakdown and award of a try that wasn’t touched down will lose us the match ……………... but not this day
Aviva Premiership Round 6
Northampton Saints v Saracens
Saturday 26th November KO 3:15pm
Franklin's Gardens
On this glorious day the Saints blooded the infidel’s nose and sent him back to his Barnet citadel with his tail firmly between his legs. This supporter is still smiling. What a game what a performance. Oh frabcious day.
With international call ups affecting both sides it was time to see whether Saints have strengthened their squad to a sufficient degree to cope with these periods and remain contenders at the end of the season.
What better test than the team standing proudly at the top of the table with five wins out of five. What better test than the squad many believe to be the deepest in experience and quality to such an extent their ability to exist within the salary cap has been the subject of many a raised eyebrow.
Well the day started with good omens. With only a 20% chance of precipitation I marched forth without a coat proudly bearing the Gold Black and Green to our own “gathering” at the Malt Shovel. The weather held and although the pitch was greasy and the wind was blowing hard, conditions were ideal for a marvellous game of solid hard rugby union. Even the real ale bar in the Rodbar had extended and without queues provided good refreshment at half time to calm the nerves and fuel the excitement the second half was to bring.
Both teams played to win. Sarries came at Saints hard from the kick off and applied pressure to all they did. But this Saints side is showing a solidity and maturity and they bent but did not break. The early ebb and flow saw an exchange of penalties as the two heavyweights jabbed and parried. Then, after just 12 minutes, Saints struck straight through the heart as a lovely interplay of passes , particularly involving Manoa and Dickinson saw Jamie Elliott tracking like some other winger that used to play at FG and score under the posts.
Sarries came back but the Saints defence held firm. Foden in particular defended with the determination of a man eager to prove his worth; and then Manoa struck. A physical charge then a step that left Goode on his backside , saw the big man score a try that lifted the roof . Although we didn’t know it at the time the match was won. A generous penalty to Sarries made the half time score 17-6 and many a Saints supporter was left in a state of wondrous disbelief.
The second half unbelievably was even better. Last week Ospreys came back from a similar deficit to score first . This week Saints showed a steely grit and determination to put this contest to bed. Attacking down the slope firstly the forwards drove then the backs ran to score a brilliant team try and send the Franklins faithful into ecstasy. When Goode missed touch with a pen and Foden went over for his second, there were no more superlatives left. Not only a win but a try bonus point as well. Five points against a main rival and nothing for them.
The match was not over though. Despite the raft of changes and the sense of job done there was a lot more rugby to appreciate. Sarries, to their credit never stopped attacking. But each time they scored a try the Saints responded with one of their own. Of note was Myler’s long pass of his left hand for Wilson to put Ken Pisi in at the corner. A fantastic piece of skill than even Mr Jones would have appreciated if he had been there..
So six tries against one of the meanest defences around and another bonus point win at home. Second place in the table firmly established before the season breaks up again with more absentees and the LV cup openers.
There were some really encouraging signs for the future. Alex Waller again did a demolition job on a big name prop. Stevens had his face in the white line on the pitch again and again. Haywood seems to have added a good line out throw to his solid all round game. Manoa is simply awesome. Dickinson and Van Velze continue to challenge each other to better things and Daisy at the lineout is a thing of beauty. Jamie Elliott continues to belie his diminutive stature with a heart as big as a lion’s and Fodes shows that he is clearly England’s top full back. I could go on, it was a real team effort. Everyone stepped up to ensure that we did not miss some key players. The war is yet to be won, but this battle was a glorious victory and deserves to be enjoyed. Watch the highlights on ITV watch them on BT Sport. Then burn your recording onto DVD and watch one of Saints best performances again when you need cheering up. I know I will.
TIMELINE
5mins SAINTS Pen Myler 3-0
8mins SAR Pen Goode 3-3
12mins SAINTS Try Elliott Con Myler 10-3
26mins SAINTS Try Manoa Con Myler 17-3
30mins SAR Miss pen Goode
40mins SAR Pen Goode 17-6
HALF-TIME SAINTS 17 SAR 6
43mins SAINTS Try Foden 22-6
54mins SAINTS Try Foden Con Myler 29-6
58mins SAR Try Taylor Con Goode 29-13
64mins SAINTS Try Burrell Con Myler 36-13
68mins SAR Try Brown Con Goode 36-20
73mins SAINTS Try Pisi K 41-20
FULL-TIME SAINTS 41 SAR 20
Jim Says:
Kahn and Ken Say:
From the Snappers:
Smurf (Ithink this should be a caption competition!)
X-Block Dave:
Tusker:
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2013:10:27:16:50:59 by St Marlowe.
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
As long as last season's abject display at the MadStad isn't repeated next week.
alive and well in Shrubbery Terrace
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Please sponsor me for Saints with Heart [www.justgiving.com]
btw, the Sarries equivalent is a pretty good read as well and worth a couple of minutes of your time...
![[:wor kid:]](/phorum-5.1.15/mods/smileys/images/13.gif "[:wor kid:]")
Top of the League 2014-2015 Season
Hey Sarge. Treat it as poetic license (it wasn't strictly our second string either), or indeed prophetic, as I'm not writing the report next week
Saint til I die
He/She is once more banned.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:10:28:21:43:22 by COYS Admin.
whatever, if you wish to be outraged, be our guest.
Well Grope if you want to be serious Saints were missing six regular starters on international duty so it is arguable. But if you had read my previous post before posting yourself, you'll see that it was done in fun. More of a gentle poke at Sarries than anything else.
Saint til I die
'Dream as if you will live forever,
live as if you'll die today'
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
Sad to relate I wasn`t there, but having seen the replay and watched the highlights programme, you captured the day so well Malcolm.
oh, and I thought BT Sport did us proud and Grayse was top notch as the summariser backing up Nick Mullins who has to be the best commentator around
Saint til I die
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