Saints 31 vs Bath 10

This was an intense match.  Third week of the Premiership season and these two teams were the only ones remaining who hadn't lost a match.  Something was going to give.  It promised to be a close fougt and difficult match.

I am not sure I have ever been so nervous before a match.  So nervous I couldn't shout or cheer.  If it continues like this for the rest of the season then it isn't going to do my heart any good!!

The first half was as hard as forecast.  Sterling defence by the Saints prevented a number of almost certain tries by Bath.  In fact Bath had the majority of both possession and territory.  But they were unable to convert that into points.  Whereas the Saints managed to get points when they got near.  One try and two penalties in the first half was a promising start.  Unfortunately in the dying seconds of the first half Bath were given a chance of a penalty which they kicked.  Half time score 11-3, and memories of the Quins match last week came flooding back.  Were the Saints going to come out for the next half as lions or kittens.

Lions.  Bath had the kick off, Day gathered well.  Dicko controlled the maul well, more Bath players were sucked in, then Dicko gave Dowse the tap to go.  Dowse peeled off, made a lovely dummy to Dicko which was bought completely by Lewis Moody to create a gap, and Dowse was through.  A great off-load to Flash and the try was there in less than a minute.  The Saints came out meaning business.  From there on the score was only going to go one way.  Bath couldn't come up with any answers and a match that promised to be close simply broke open.  So much so that the Saints were even able to get the vital fourth try for the bonus point.  The late try by Bath does them credit for not folding but was nothing more than a gesture.

The scrum was immense.  They didn't only dominate, they demolished the Bath scrum.  This was shown most acutely when Bath elected for a scrum 5 metres from our line instead of taking the penalty kick at goal.  They were to regret it for they were pushed solidly backwards and then themselves lost a penalty for illegal scrummaging.  Later in the game the Saints eleceted to scrum whenever possible and it was this that set up the position for the bonus try.

Defence remained strong for the Saints.  I have lost how many times it looked certain that the opposition were going to score only for a Saint to get there and prevent it.  This is something we were good at for most of last season (we cracked towards the end) but are looking even better at this year.  Clearly this has been a key focus and the players have really taken a never-say-die ethos to the game.

Next is Sarries.  And some scores to settle after they spoiled the end of season party earlier this year.

Scorers:
Saints - Tries: Dowse, Flash (2), Ansbro. Con: Smyler. Pens: TinTin (3)

Bath - Tries: Williams. Con: Vesty. Pens: Barkley