Saints 38 - Gloucester 23

Since winning the LV Cup final, it could be said that the Saints haven't been firing on all cylinders.  Culminating in the loss to Munster a week ago.  How could they fare against Gloucester, a team out for revenge as this was a rematch of that LV Cup final, and one definitely on the up since Christmas.

The match didn't start well for the Saints.  Within 3 minutes Gloucester had a penalty kicked by Nicky Robinson.  Was this going to go the same way as the Munster match?  From early on it was clear that the ref didn't like our front row. This was going to become important later in the match.  But Stephen Myler came back with a penalty for the Saints at 8 minutes and we were starting to show a bit more form. Restarts were to continue to look shakey (another echo from the Munster trip) but we were definitely up for running rugby.  The Saints had the edge in the line-outs but scrums were a little less predictable, sometimes one way, sometimes another.

A rush of lood to the head saw Gloucester taking a quick penalty instead of going for the points between the sticks.  Saints got turn-over ball and Ben Foden hoofed the ball down the pitch.  Although Gloucester had the throw in a magnificent leap by Courtney won the ball, it was worked out to the middle, then found Flash who split Gloucester defence in two with his speed and perfect line to score the first try.  With Smyler being on form, Saints were up 10-3 within quarter of an hour.

The Saints were penalised immediately on the restart, but Nicky Robinson had not brought his kicking boots and was unable to claim the points. Things remained tense, despite another Smyler penalty.  Then Gloucester made the break they needed and scored.  13-10.  And then another penalty to the Saints, 16-10.  This game could go anywhere.  The end of the half saw the Saints in the lead, but Gloucester ahd made one more attack and almost got the try, foiled only by James Downey knocking the ball over the dead ball line before Gloucester could get their hands on it.

The second half started with the same intensity.  The Cherry and Whites got a penalty.  Then Dylan Hartley scored a try for the Saints.  Another penalty to Gloucester.  Then a second try for Flash.  But I said earlier that the ref had taken a dislike to the Saints front row. At this point it came to haunt us, Dylan receiving a yellow card for cynical killing of the ball.  The yellow card cost the Saints 10 points, with a penlaty, a try and a conversion all tucked away.  30-23, and again it could go any way.  But the try came at the end of the ten minutes and the Saints were back to full strength.

Along with others, Smyler was subbed and Shane Geraghty came on.  Always a scary moment for a Saints fan.  Shane can show class and magic, but he can also fall over drastically.  And there was little leaway here.  Shane soon had his opportunity with a penalty, which was fairly straight forward, but we have all seen Shane hit the cross-bar from "relatively simple" kicks.  He didn't fail this time.  The Saints were 10 points ahead.
 
But there we were at the end, seconds ticking down, and we had failed to get our fourth try.  A bonus point at this point in the season was essential, but it wasn't going to be.  Until suddenly Bruce Reihana had the ball.  A wonderful darting run down the left wing, with chants of "Brooce Brooce Brooce", side-stepping (or just going through) tackles.  And he was there, over the try line.  To the amazement of everyone he did not touch down however, instead passing the ball to Chris Ashton who was on his right shoulder so that Flash could touch down and get his hat-trick. 

Bruce is a real soldier for the club and a real hero.  He is everything you could want from a player, completely selfless.  Over the years he has turned down the chance to go back to New Zealand and stake his place in the All Blacks, and turned down an offer from Munster when we were relegated.  We are incredibly lucky to have him, as he symbolises everything that is good about rugby.

Gloucester came to Franklins Gardens knowing how hard it is to win at this fortress.  But they came here planning to play rugby and not just spoil ball.  Great credit to them, worthy opponents, and in many ways they deserved to get at least a point from this match.  This match flowed back and forth, with attacks and counter-attacks abounding.  And credit to the Gloucester fans as well, valiant and polite in defeat.

Scores
Saints - Tries: Chris Ashton x 3; Dylan Hartley. Cons: Stephen Myler x3.  Pens: Stephen Myler x 3; Shane Geraghty
Gloucester - Tries: Charlie Sharples; Dave Attwood.  Cons: Nicky Robinson x 2.  Pens: Nicky Robinson x 3