I posted a farewell to some players who are off elsewhere, it is only right to post a hello to those coming.
Matt Cornwell - centre, signed from Exeter
Scott Armstrong - wing, signed from Leeds
Calum Clark - flanker, signed from Leeds
Adam Eustace - lock/No 8, signed from Gloucester
Joe Ford - fly half, signed from Leeds
Tom Mercey - prop, signed from Saracens
Ryan Powell - scrum half, signed from Worcester
Mark Sorenson - lock, signed from Newcastle
Greig Tonks - full back/wing/centre, signed from Nottingham
Tom Wood - flanker, signed from Worcester
An interesting mix. Some with experience, many with youth. A few with Under 20's or Saxons experience as well.
Some concern that there might not be enough strength in these signings. They haven't all been first choice for the teams that they come from. However the Saints coaches, physios, nutritionalists etc have done amazing jobs with players before. Tiny, Chris Ashton, Dowson, even Fodes - all were questioned as signings but Jim and co have managed to get the best out of them. Dusty Hare will now be adding to that experience as well in spotting talent. So who is going to shine next season and show that they just needed the right opportunity to burst out.
Friday, 28 May 2010
Monday, 24 May 2010
Cardiff Blues 28 - Toulon 21
OK, so the blog is a Saints blog. But I grew up in Wales, and a Cardiff supporter. Put the Saint against the Blues and I will shout COYS (wouldn't a few years ago but now brainwashed). But that doesn't mean I don't like to see the Blues do well. And being the first Welsh team to get a Euro trophy is certainly doig well. Cardiff Blues are now second in the Euro Table, with the Saints 3rd.
A tough game. In many ways mirroring the Saints vs Sarries match from a few weeks ago. Everything said that Toulon would win, and most of the match they seemed to have the control. But it all rested on one wrong decision. Much as the Saints had done, Toulon decided to go for a try off a penalty trather than take the 3 points with a kick. It shows ambition. But maybe ambition is the wrong thing in this kind of sudden death match. Toulon didn't get the try, and didn't get the points, Jonny Wilkinson get injured, and from there on the Blues beat out a dogged victory.
Proud to be a Saint, happy to be a Blue.
A tough game. In many ways mirroring the Saints vs Sarries match from a few weeks ago. Everything said that Toulon would win, and most of the match they seemed to have the control. But it all rested on one wrong decision. Much as the Saints had done, Toulon decided to go for a try off a penalty trather than take the 3 points with a kick. It shows ambition. But maybe ambition is the wrong thing in this kind of sudden death match. Toulon didn't get the try, and didn't get the points, Jonny Wilkinson get injured, and from there on the Blues beat out a dogged victory.
Proud to be a Saint, happy to be a Blue.
Saturday, 22 May 2010
So Long and Thanks For All The Fish
It's a difficult time of year. Rugby over (or just about), which is bad enough, but it is also time to say goodbye to players with have learnt to love over the season, and more. The Saints are waving goodbye to a few. Roll call for first team leavers:
Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe - Nacho is loved by the fans. Recognisable from anywhere on the pitch by the fact that his socks are always aroound his ankles. He has worked hard for the Saints and brought a lot of experience. He will be missed but the joints were not able to keep up with what his massive heart wanted to do.
Juandre Kruger - a scary loss. The best line-out player in the Premiership. But a return to South Africa beckons where he hopes to get his international cap. If he doesn't then someone over there needs to have their head examined.
Neil Best - moving to Worcester. Some were surprised that the Beast would go there after their relegation. I suspect he relishes the challenge of bringing them back up. His reputation is of someone who doesn't always get on with his team mates, but he has been a star with the Saints.
Darren Morris - a brief time in the team. Able to shore up the scrum hen needed.
Alan Dickens - never really challenging Dicko for the scrum half position but a reliable player. And not leaving completely as he is joining the Academy coaching team.
Our thanks to these who have helped bring us so far. Fondly remembered.
Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe - Nacho is loved by the fans. Recognisable from anywhere on the pitch by the fact that his socks are always aroound his ankles. He has worked hard for the Saints and brought a lot of experience. He will be missed but the joints were not able to keep up with what his massive heart wanted to do.
Juandre Kruger - a scary loss. The best line-out player in the Premiership. But a return to South Africa beckons where he hopes to get his international cap. If he doesn't then someone over there needs to have their head examined.
Neil Best - moving to Worcester. Some were surprised that the Beast would go there after their relegation. I suspect he relishes the challenge of bringing them back up. His reputation is of someone who doesn't always get on with his team mates, but he has been a star with the Saints.
Darren Morris - a brief time in the team. Able to shore up the scrum hen needed.
Alan Dickens - never really challenging Dicko for the scrum half position but a reliable player. And not leaving completely as he is joining the Academy coaching team.
Our thanks to these who have helped bring us so far. Fondly remembered.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Accolades
It's that time of year when the awards start to be given out.
Within the Saints Tiny has won both the Players Player of the Season and the Supporters Player of the Season. The second is none too much of a surprise, ever since Tiny decided to stay with the Saints he has been greeted with a roar whenever his name is mentioned or he does something on the pitch. He is well loved. But it is good to see that the team themselves value him as well.
Tiny also came second in the Guiness Premiership Player of the Season, but the trophy itself goes to Chris Ashton with the highest try score of the premiership for a decade, and almost managing to beat the all time record.
This is just part of the recognition for a team that have come so far in the last 2 years. In the Eurotable they still top the other English teams, although having dropped from 2nd to 4th as a result of the defeat to the Sarries last weekend.
Proud to be a Saint.
Within the Saints Tiny has won both the Players Player of the Season and the Supporters Player of the Season. The second is none too much of a surprise, ever since Tiny decided to stay with the Saints he has been greeted with a roar whenever his name is mentioned or he does something on the pitch. He is well loved. But it is good to see that the team themselves value him as well.
Tiny also came second in the Guiness Premiership Player of the Season, but the trophy itself goes to Chris Ashton with the highest try score of the premiership for a decade, and almost managing to beat the all time record.
This is just part of the recognition for a team that have come so far in the last 2 years. In the Eurotable they still top the other English teams, although having dropped from 2nd to 4th as a result of the defeat to the Sarries last weekend.
Proud to be a Saint.
Monday, 17 May 2010
Saints 19 - Saracens 21
It's taken 24 hours but I have recovered enough to blog about the match. Not enough to go through and describe it fully, but at least to be able to mention it. In the 80 minutes of play I think I got through a fortnights worth of adrenalin, it was an amazing and intense match. In the end it really could have gone either way, these two teams are so close at the moment. It was finally won in the inches, and the Sarries had just enough.
There were some sublime moments. The best of which was the try by Tiny. After everything else this season it was certainly an irony. But to see Tiny running down the wing, pass a dummy, hand off (or charge over) Alex Goode and make it to the line was a moment I will remember for a long time.
The Saints have brought exciting rugby to the premiership this season. The Sarries joined in completely. It was a good match to end our season (but would have been even better had we won!).
There were some sublime moments. The best of which was the try by Tiny. After everything else this season it was certainly an irony. But to see Tiny running down the wing, pass a dummy, hand off (or charge over) Alex Goode and make it to the line was a moment I will remember for a long time.
The Saints have brought exciting rugby to the premiership this season. The Sarries joined in completely. It was a good match to end our season (but would have been even better had we won!).
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Saints vs Saracens Preview
Here we go, in to the play-offs. We finished the season second in the Guiness Premiership table which means we get a home match. But it's against the Sarries, which makes our 5th game against them this season. And the scores so far, 2-all. This is all to play for.
The team is much as you would expect:
15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Bruce Reihana
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga'uiha
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Brian Mujati
4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Phil Dowson
7 Neil Best
8 Roger Wilson
Replacements
16 Brett Sharman
17 Regardt Dreyer
18 Darren Morris
19 Courtney Lawes
20 Mark Easter
21 Alan Dickens
22 Shane Geraghty
23 Joe Ansbro
That's a strong squad and quite capable of doing well. But the Sarries have really stepped up the form in the last month, including beating both ourselves and the Tigers at home. In fact Jerry Guscott has the final being Bath vs Sarries, so he sees no home advantage in either game this week.
The team will be up for this though. It is only a few weeks ago that we were beaten, and the sound of the Sarries singing in the changing room had a big effect on them. I am convinced that this is why they played so much better against London Irish last week. Schalk Brits will be a key player for the Sarries, and they have Andy Goode back as well. However if we can avoid letting them have too much ball then we will be fine.
It's a close match to call. I think the Saints will get it, but less than 7 points between them.
The team is much as you would expect:
15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Bruce Reihana
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga'uiha
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Brian Mujati
4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Phil Dowson
7 Neil Best
8 Roger Wilson
Replacements
16 Brett Sharman
17 Regardt Dreyer
18 Darren Morris
19 Courtney Lawes
20 Mark Easter
21 Alan Dickens
22 Shane Geraghty
23 Joe Ansbro
That's a strong squad and quite capable of doing well. But the Sarries have really stepped up the form in the last month, including beating both ourselves and the Tigers at home. In fact Jerry Guscott has the final being Bath vs Sarries, so he sees no home advantage in either game this week.
The team will be up for this though. It is only a few weeks ago that we were beaten, and the sound of the Sarries singing in the changing room had a big effect on them. I am convinced that this is why they played so much better against London Irish last week. Schalk Brits will be a key player for the Sarries, and they have Andy Goode back as well. However if we can avoid letting them have too much ball then we will be fine.
It's a close match to call. I think the Saints will get it, but less than 7 points between them.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Give Us A Wave
We've had a rough few months with Sarries supporters. For one or two reasons we could be said to be "not seeing eye to eye". And it gets in the way of the rugby a bit. Rugby is supposed to be fun, and rugby supporters are supposed to get on. Every club will have its share of malcontents but, overall, we can all be friendly. It's time to move on and welcome each other.
So I found this recent piece of news very amusing. Northampton is known for the lighthouse, a massive tower for testing lifts. It has been on the at risk list for a while but is now listed. It dominates the landscape, and it sits right bang slap next to Franklins Gardens. I can see exactly why the Sarries would have wanted to pt a flag up there, it would have been an incredible coup. All credit to them for having the vision and nerve to try. Pete Sullivan is right though, he would have been knee-capped!
So I found this recent piece of news very amusing. Northampton is known for the lighthouse, a massive tower for testing lifts. It has been on the at risk list for a while but is now listed. It dominates the landscape, and it sits right bang slap next to Franklins Gardens. I can see exactly why the Sarries would have wanted to pt a flag up there, it would have been an incredible coup. All credit to them for having the vision and nerve to try. Pete Sullivan is right though, he would have been knee-capped!
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Leaving Do
There's a good showing by the Saints team in the teams announced today. In the England squad we find Fodes, Flash, Tin Tin, Rabbit and Long Arm - these lads will be touring Australia and New Zealand. This is seen very much as a warm up for the Rugby World Cup. In the Saxons squad we find Smyler, Jon Clarke and Dowse. In addition Tom Wood, who is joining us for next season is also there.
Some questions had been raised when Jim Mallinder signed another fly half, but if we can be expecting both Tin Tin and Smyler to be tied up with country commitments then this might well be a very astute choice.
Some questions had been raised when Jim Mallinder signed another fly half, but if we can be expecting both Tin Tin and Smyler to be tied up with country commitments then this might well be a very astute choice.
Goodbye
Much to my surprise I have just realised that the London Irish match last Saturday was my last "proper" match of the season. I thought I had at least one more, and if we were lucky two. But the play-offs next weekend are on Sunday and we already have tickets for the Windsor Horse Show (summer activities sneaking in). If we manage to beat the Sarries then the final is at Twickers but we can't go to that because it is "A"s birthday party. I am left feeling rather bereft, I didn't say goodbye to the team or Franklins Gardens. We can dull the pain slightly as we are going to the IRB Sevens at Twickers, but it won't be the same.
No-one text me the results, we will be recording and watching in the evening!
No-one text me the results, we will be recording and watching in the evening!
Saturday, 8 May 2010
London Irish 7 - Saints 31
I had been beginning to worry that we were jinxing the away games, having not seen a win away yet this season. But today corrected that and I feel that we can continue to go to away matches without worry.
This was a different team to the one that we saw two weeks ago against the Sarries. They came out firing today and looking as though they wanted to be there. And they looked like a team trying to work together rather than 15 individuals on a pitch. This is a combination that is hard to beat, and possibly we need to thank the Sarries for shaking us up. This was the best I have seen us play since the LV Cup Final.
There was some beautiful rugby played, and a couple of opportunities went missing. Once again Flash tried kicking the ball, and it went dead. I think we all may have to accept that Flash doesn't have the finese for kicking!
During the first half Lobbe received a blow to the head. It was painful to watch him trying to get up, his legs were just jelly and he kept sinking down again. But he wanted to play and nothing was going to stop him. By the time the medics reached him he was standing, but wobbling everywhere. We all thought he had to come off. But he wouldn't let the medics take him off. Thye even had a word with the ref but it became clear that if they tried to forcibly take him off then he was going to hit someone. Thankfully after another five minutes or so he recovered. A large part of me still feels he should have come off, but it shows the determination of the team as a whole.
Another moment that typified the determined nature of the team was when Topsy Ojo intercepted from us and started a run down the right wing. Topsy is a good winger and no slow coach. And he had no-one in front of him. This spelt disaster. Then suddenly, and I really still can't understand this, Juandre Kruger was catching Ojo up. Somehow Kruger was able to find power in his legs, after playing for 70 odd minutes, to catch and overhaul a wing. That shouldn't happen. In fact Ojo was so surprised, and possibly worried, by being caught that he almost stopped. Kruger had too much momentum and couldn't stop, overshooting Ojo (it was a scene out of Top Gun) but this gave the others a chance to catch up. Disaster averted.
A good win. A well played win. We dominated. We passed, we off-loaded, we stole their line-outs, we pushed their scrum.
Special mention to Mike Catt though. It was his last professional game. He was brought on with 15 minutes or so to go. And while you could laugh that he was given man of the match, I'd have to say he deserved it. His distribution was outstanding, and the team looked different with him on, more threatening. He is a class player.
Scorers
Saints - Tries: Clarke x2, Ashton. Con: Myler x2. Pens: Myler x 4
London Irish - Try: Coetzee. Con: Homer
This was a different team to the one that we saw two weeks ago against the Sarries. They came out firing today and looking as though they wanted to be there. And they looked like a team trying to work together rather than 15 individuals on a pitch. This is a combination that is hard to beat, and possibly we need to thank the Sarries for shaking us up. This was the best I have seen us play since the LV Cup Final.
There was some beautiful rugby played, and a couple of opportunities went missing. Once again Flash tried kicking the ball, and it went dead. I think we all may have to accept that Flash doesn't have the finese for kicking!
During the first half Lobbe received a blow to the head. It was painful to watch him trying to get up, his legs were just jelly and he kept sinking down again. But he wanted to play and nothing was going to stop him. By the time the medics reached him he was standing, but wobbling everywhere. We all thought he had to come off. But he wouldn't let the medics take him off. Thye even had a word with the ref but it became clear that if they tried to forcibly take him off then he was going to hit someone. Thankfully after another five minutes or so he recovered. A large part of me still feels he should have come off, but it shows the determination of the team as a whole.
Another moment that typified the determined nature of the team was when Topsy Ojo intercepted from us and started a run down the right wing. Topsy is a good winger and no slow coach. And he had no-one in front of him. This spelt disaster. Then suddenly, and I really still can't understand this, Juandre Kruger was catching Ojo up. Somehow Kruger was able to find power in his legs, after playing for 70 odd minutes, to catch and overhaul a wing. That shouldn't happen. In fact Ojo was so surprised, and possibly worried, by being caught that he almost stopped. Kruger had too much momentum and couldn't stop, overshooting Ojo (it was a scene out of Top Gun) but this gave the others a chance to catch up. Disaster averted.
A good win. A well played win. We dominated. We passed, we off-loaded, we stole their line-outs, we pushed their scrum.
Special mention to Mike Catt though. It was his last professional game. He was brought on with 15 minutes or so to go. And while you could laugh that he was given man of the match, I'd have to say he deserved it. His distribution was outstanding, and the team looked different with him on, more threatening. He is a class player.
Scorers
Saints - Tries: Clarke x2, Ashton. Con: Myler x2. Pens: Myler x 4
London Irish - Try: Coetzee. Con: Homer
London Irish vs Saints
Saints top on - check
Tickets in hand - check
Voice warmed up - check
Flag unfurled - check
Coat (for the rain) - check
Sat nav programmed - check
Petrol tank full - check
Last league game of the season. Still play-offs, but this is it, where can we end up in the table. After the disappointment of the last two matches, losing both by 1 point, can we make a come-back today.
There had been rumours, mostly coming out of The Exiles changing rooms, that the irish were going to play blood some young players today. Lokking at the team that has not happened. Instead they have named a top squad. And we have a good team out as well so it is going to be a good game. When the Irish played us at Franklins Gardens earlier in the season we just pipped them in the last minute of the game with a late try. Delon Armitage got very wound up and used some very bad language towards the ref. I think he was lucky not to get cited after the match. So they will have fire in the belly, plus they still have an outside chance of coming within the top four (if Bath lose to Leeds which seems unlikely), and finally it is Mike Catts last match - all these things add up to a big incentive. But our boys will still be smarting from hearing the Sarries players singing and cheering in the Franklins Gardens changing rooms, they've had an extra break just to get themselves back under control.
Here we go, Come On You Saints!
Tickets in hand - check
Voice warmed up - check
Flag unfurled - check
Coat (for the rain) - check
Sat nav programmed - check
Petrol tank full - check
Last league game of the season. Still play-offs, but this is it, where can we end up in the table. After the disappointment of the last two matches, losing both by 1 point, can we make a come-back today.
There had been rumours, mostly coming out of The Exiles changing rooms, that the irish were going to play blood some young players today. Lokking at the team that has not happened. Instead they have named a top squad. And we have a good team out as well so it is going to be a good game. When the Irish played us at Franklins Gardens earlier in the season we just pipped them in the last minute of the game with a late try. Delon Armitage got very wound up and used some very bad language towards the ref. I think he was lucky not to get cited after the match. So they will have fire in the belly, plus they still have an outside chance of coming within the top four (if Bath lose to Leeds which seems unlikely), and finally it is Mike Catts last match - all these things add up to a big incentive. But our boys will still be smarting from hearing the Sarries players singing and cheering in the Franklins Gardens changing rooms, they've had an extra break just to get themselves back under control.
Here we go, Come On You Saints!
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Lee Scores
If you go to the Saints site at the moment you can see the tries of the season. I have picked just one to show. Partly because it is Lee scoring, but more because it shows the Saints at their best. We see a counter-attack from within our 22. Fine off-loading and no-one trying to grab the limelight. This is how rugby should be played and tries scored.
Season Tickets
The good news for "A" is that I have bought season tickets. The slightly bad news is that they are like gold dust and trying to get three seats together very difficult, so our options were very limited. We certainly aren't where we were hoping for. Ended up in Block R, Row K. The Churches stand is my least favourite. We were wnating the South Stand, preferably behind the posts as "A" wants to catch the ball after it's been kicked by Smyler. The way I see it though is it gets us on the rung, we can start trying to upgrade from here on but at least we have a starting point. And at least we are guaranteed a seat. The only home matches we have missed this season have been through a lack of tickets. Plus (it's always good to see the positives in life) in the Churches stand we are at least closer to where the players go on and off the pitch so easier to get down and get autographs.
Monday, 3 May 2010
player of the year
I voted for stephan myler as the player of the year because i think he's the best kicker in the world.
season tickets
Tomorrow season tickets will be on sale and I'm hoping my dad will buy some but i don't think it will happen but if my dad is reading this please pretty please by some!
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Player of the Year
It's time to vote for Player of the Year at the Saints. For me that is fairly easy. I don't know who "A" will go for, but I am convinced that there is one player who has worked harder than anyone else this year. There are a few names that spring to mind, Roger Wilson for one, but I beleive that Lee Dickson has made more appearances than anyone else this season. And he has been a terrier in almost every single one of those matches.
Opinion on Lee seems divided. Some believe he should be playing for England. Others seem to think he is nothing more than mediocre. Now I actually don't think he is quite at international level yet, but I am also sure he is more than mediocre, a lot more. He controls the game well, he bosses the scrum around, his defence is among the best, and he is always looking for the quick penalty. He exudes enthusiasm. He is the epitomy of a "terrier", and that is what you need from a scrum half. He does have things to work on, he needs to perfect his spin out of the tackle so he can get a few more tries, he needs to stop waving his arms around as much, and his box kick needs polishing. But simply because he will always put his body on the line (and under the ball to prevent it being grounded) then he is my Player of the Year.
Opinion on Lee seems divided. Some believe he should be playing for England. Others seem to think he is nothing more than mediocre. Now I actually don't think he is quite at international level yet, but I am also sure he is more than mediocre, a lot more. He controls the game well, he bosses the scrum around, his defence is among the best, and he is always looking for the quick penalty. He exudes enthusiasm. He is the epitomy of a "terrier", and that is what you need from a scrum half. He does have things to work on, he needs to perfect his spin out of the tackle so he can get a few more tries, he needs to stop waving his arms around as much, and his box kick needs polishing. But simply because he will always put his body on the line (and under the ball to prevent it being grounded) then he is my Player of the Year.
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