Well Done Boys

It's great to see the Saints players get a particular mention from the Saxons coach.  It does leave a distinct worry that our players are going to be missing for a significant proportion of the season however.  Difficult call.  I like to see them doing well, but I want to keep them for us!

Saints On The Up

Last weekend was a good one for the Saints.  With Courtney, Flash and Fodes starting in the England vs Australia game and Dicko, Smyler and Clark (plus Tom Wood, a soon to be Saint) starting in the Saxons vs Canada.  And both teams winning with significant input from the boys.

Every write up of the England vs Australia game seems to heap praise on Courtney.  He really made his mark and is likely to be the first choice from now on.  Then Fodes cemented his position as the first choice full back, with beautiful running rugby and counter-attacks.  And finally Flash scores his first try for England, and a nice one it was too, beating a number of the Aussies.

Then to the Saxons game.  Smyler kicked 6 out of 7 (and I reckon if the commentators hadn't decided to start betting he was going to get them all then he wouldn't have missed at all).  Clark scored a try.  And Dicko played out of his skin, hardly a minute went by without his name being mentioned.  I reckon we might see him making the step up to the England squad based on this.  And consider he wasn't originally picked but flew out late as a replacement - talking about taking your opportunity.

Well done to them all.

Saxons 49 vs Russia 17

Not a bad result for Russia and they kept playing until the end.  But I was more interested in how the Saints (and Saints to be) players did.  Jon Clarke and Tom Wood were OK, but nothing special.  Dicko came on for the last 5 minutes and showed his usual terrier self, spoiling Russian ball, stealing where he could.  So a good 5 minutes and he should ahve been allowed more.  Smyler was interesting though.  Started slowly and initially I thought he was out of touch.  But he grew into it.  So much so that he was significant in one try with a lovely off-load, then he scored a try as well that he was involved with at the beginning and end.  And he was given Man of the Match.  Overall not a bad showing by the Saints.

Draw for 2011

An interesting draw.  The Saints have got Cardiff Blues, Edinburgh and Castres.  And this is the moment I realise I am a true Saint.  Two years ago I went to the Blues vs Saints match at the Ricoh. And at that point I was yelling for the Blues.  I grew up a Cardiff boy.  I've always supported and shouted for the Blues.  I saw this draw and suddenly relised that next season, for these matches I will be shouting "Come On You Saints".  I almost feel a traitor.  How do you tell your parents? 

But I go to Saints matches week in and week out.  We know the team.  We know their strengths and their foibles.  We are part of it all. 

Proud to be a Saint. 

Another Congratulations

Dicko has been called up to the Saxons squad.  This is a bit of shuffling resulting from Simpsons injury so that Paul Hodgson has been called up to the England squad.  This is great news for Lee and I am very pleased for him.  He seems to be one of those players who elicit strong views one way or the other, but I think he works incredibly hard and has a great pass on him.  Well deserved.