We haven't made as many away matches this year. Couple of reasons behind that. But when we saw the New Year game was at the Falcons, and with the thought that they are looking likely for relegation so this might be a limited opportunity to visit their ground, it seemed that a trip was needed. We did have a minor problem when they changed the date from New Years Day to New Years Eve, but I sweet talked the hotel to changing the nigh of our booking (and also got upgraded, thank you Novotel). We drove up and arrived in good time, giving us a chance to pop into the club shop and buy our pin badges then go on to a local pub (Two Farms) which served very good food, good beer, and had good company of a mixture of both Falcons and Saints supporters. Then to the match.
The first half was error strewn by the Saints. Despite opening the scoring with a try in the 9th minute, scored by Fodes touching down a loveley grubber kick from Easy, the Saints continued to make heavy going. Especially when they let the falcons in for a try. At half time it still felt that it could go either way. Then when Jimmy Gopperth kicked over another penalty I was seriously concerned. However the next score came from Fodes, this time after a grubber kick from Lamby. The Saints heads were up and they pushed on. Literally, with Tiny being driven over for the next try. Three tries in and the Saints were now looking comfortable.
Tom May wrapped up the bonus point with the fourth try within a minute of coming on, finally capitalising on some nice work between Fodes and Vaseline. He got some stick from the Falcons crowd, and not all of it good natured, surprising when considering all that he did for the club. He was genuinely upset but I am pleased to say many supporters have apologised to him.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Saturday, 24 December 2011
Saints 22 - Bath 13
The Saints continue to be a confusing mix of moments of brilliance surrounded by mistakes. And this was the second game where we scored three tries in the first half and then failed to score another to get the bonus point. A win is a win as they say, but a bonus point may be critical at the end of the season with so many teams clumped together in the middle of the table.
It wasn't as though the opportunities for a fourth try didn't exist. The most glaring being a fantastic break and run by James Downey. With both Fodes and Jamie Elliott outside him, Downey was clearly confused by the wide open spaces in front of him. He is a crash ball man, he isn't used to having to pass. And so he didn't. A clear overlap and guaranteed try was swallowed up by a tackle and the ball was lost.
Going down to 13 men didn't help either. Another match where the ref had a big impact, with four yellow cards being given, first off were two to Bath - during the first one the Saints actually managed to get 10 points, somewhat unusual for the Saints managing to capitalise on a man advantage - and then two in quick succession against the Saints meaning that for about 9 minutes we only had two men on the pitch. The Saints defence during this stage was incredible, and a large part of the time was actually spent camped on the Bath try line.
Pisi was a derserving man of the match. Once again he showed a great sidestep, after catching a neat chip from Lamby, to open up the Bath defence and a deft offload to Woody saw the number 7 go in for a straight forward try. In addition, Easy's defence was a rock, with some immense tackles put in. Put Easy and Courtney on the pitch at the same time and the opposition know that they are going to be hammered.
It was good to see both Sarge and Dowse back - injury and suspension respectively - and they showed that they were hungry to make an impact. Vaseline again had a solid game, catching high ball, tackling, and showing some wonderful footwork from a standing start to evade a number of Bath players and creat the first try.
The failure to score the try in the second try wasn't only down to the Saints. Bath changed their game plan when they highlighted how the Saints were getting through. Before half time the chips from Lamby were finding gaps and turning the Bath defence on its heels, effectively breaking them down. The gaps were closed in the second half but Lamby continued attempting the chips, there was no obvious plan B to turn to.
The Saints are sometimes guilty of trying too hard and trying to be too clever. Rather than stick to the basics they start to throw te ball around with adventurous offlods. When they come true then they are great, and they are what makes the team exciting to watch. However there are times where it would be better to bring it down a notch and keep working the phases. The skills are there, the ability is there, the mental position is possibly lacking at the moment. the team seem to freeze at times, and it is especially oticeable in big games or when the fourth try is up for grabs.
When all is said and done though, a win was a great early Christmas present.
It wasn't as though the opportunities for a fourth try didn't exist. The most glaring being a fantastic break and run by James Downey. With both Fodes and Jamie Elliott outside him, Downey was clearly confused by the wide open spaces in front of him. He is a crash ball man, he isn't used to having to pass. And so he didn't. A clear overlap and guaranteed try was swallowed up by a tackle and the ball was lost.
Going down to 13 men didn't help either. Another match where the ref had a big impact, with four yellow cards being given, first off were two to Bath - during the first one the Saints actually managed to get 10 points, somewhat unusual for the Saints managing to capitalise on a man advantage - and then two in quick succession against the Saints meaning that for about 9 minutes we only had two men on the pitch. The Saints defence during this stage was incredible, and a large part of the time was actually spent camped on the Bath try line.
Pisi was a derserving man of the match. Once again he showed a great sidestep, after catching a neat chip from Lamby, to open up the Bath defence and a deft offload to Woody saw the number 7 go in for a straight forward try. In addition, Easy's defence was a rock, with some immense tackles put in. Put Easy and Courtney on the pitch at the same time and the opposition know that they are going to be hammered.
It was good to see both Sarge and Dowse back - injury and suspension respectively - and they showed that they were hungry to make an impact. Vaseline again had a solid game, catching high ball, tackling, and showing some wonderful footwork from a standing start to evade a number of Bath players and creat the first try.
The failure to score the try in the second try wasn't only down to the Saints. Bath changed their game plan when they highlighted how the Saints were getting through. Before half time the chips from Lamby were finding gaps and turning the Bath defence on its heels, effectively breaking them down. The gaps were closed in the second half but Lamby continued attempting the chips, there was no obvious plan B to turn to.
The Saints are sometimes guilty of trying too hard and trying to be too clever. Rather than stick to the basics they start to throw te ball around with adventurous offlods. When they come true then they are great, and they are what makes the team exciting to watch. However there are times where it would be better to bring it down a notch and keep working the phases. The skills are there, the ability is there, the mental position is possibly lacking at the moment. the team seem to freeze at times, and it is especially oticeable in big games or when the fourth try is up for grabs.
When all is said and done though, a win was a great early Christmas present.
Match Details
- Half Time 22-3
- Attendance 13,475
- Referee David Rose
Saturday, 10 December 2011
Castres 41 - Saints 22
The misery continued with this match. While the new players stood up to be counted, the older ones had some major issues. It's looking as though the World Cup is still taking its toll as mentally some of the players seem completely shot. And its hard to understand how a team can score four tries for the bonus and still lose.
I'm afraid this one will ahve to go in the "least said soonest mended" category. I can't face a write up.
I'm afraid this one will ahve to go in the "least said soonest mended" category. I can't face a write up.
Try
Malonga
2
Conversion
Teulet
3
Penalty
Teulet
17
Penalty
Teulet
30
Penalty
Teulet
34
Try
Martial
40
Conversion
Teulet
40 +1
Penalty
Teulet
48
Penalty
Teulet
63
Try
Martial
68
Conversion
Teulet
69
Try
Diarra
77
Try
M Sorenson
9
Conversion
S Myler
10
Try
Elliott
31
Try
Elliott
44
Try
S Manoa
55
Saturday, 3 December 2011
Tigers 30 - Saints 25
This was a strangely unenjoyable match, despite the close score line. Having Barnes as ref after last years debacle may not have been the best decision in the world, and it soon came home to roost. Quarter of an hour into the match Flash tackled Tuilagi and then tried to pull him into touch. This has become a bit of a thing with Flash, pulling players out, but in this case he grabbed hold of Tuilagis hair. This was probably not sportsmanslike (and later lead to a 4 week ban after he was cited) but, importantly, lead to a full scale brawl which saw Tuilagi and Wood both red carded. What was a potentially exciting match was again spoilt by a ref. In the words of Max Boyce, "it cast a gloom over the whole proceedings".
The game itself seesawed to and fro. At half time it was 15-6 to the Tigers. One of the Tigers tries came from Matt Smith, tackled by Flash well before the line he just kept going and grounded the ball. This possibly showed up a flaw in Flashes tackling technique as really he should never have got there. Second half saw the Saints come back though and with three fine tries they looked set. 5 minutes before the end more controversy however, as Agulla set off on a run, Murphy (who had appeared injured) got up and took out Fodes from behind. Agulla was left unimpeded and scored for the Tigers to take the lead back, and so it ended.
Attendance 24,000
Referee Wayne Barnes
The game itself seesawed to and fro. At half time it was 15-6 to the Tigers. One of the Tigers tries came from Matt Smith, tackled by Flash well before the line he just kept going and grounded the ball. This possibly showed up a flaw in Flashes tackling technique as really he should never have got there. Second half saw the Saints come back though and with three fine tries they looked set. 5 minutes before the end more controversy however, as Agulla set off on a run, Murphy (who had appeared injured) got up and took out Fodes from behind. Agulla was left unimpeded and scored for the Tigers to take the lead back, and so it ended.
Penalty
Flood
11
Try
M Smith
20
Try
S Mafi
32
Conversion
Flood
33
Penalty
Flood
42
Try
Youngs
59
Try
Agulla
75
Conversion
Flood
77
Penalty
R Lamb
4
Penalty
R Lamb
35
Try
Ashton
44
Try
T May
63
Conversion
S Myler
63
Try
P Dowson
65
Conversion
S Myler
66
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Saints 30 - Sarries 8
From one extreme to another. As bad as the Saints were last week, this week they were good. The Sarries have been a bit of a Bogey team for the last few seasons, having beaten us at home on a number of occassions. Earlier this season getting the LV win was nice, but this was the match that would really matter, the premiership and grown up rugby. Surely this was going to be a proper test.
But something had shifted in the Saints psyche. After the humiliation of last week they weren't going to roll over and die. From the off this was evident, Lamby started the match, a Sarrie forward collected only for Jamie Elliott to crash into him. The mismatch in size was ther for all to see, as was the effect as Jamie was clearly dazed and for a moment it looked as though his match was over. While he was still reeling and under the physios care, Sarries made a sortie into the Saints territory with a run from Strettle. For a moment it looked as though we were going to relive the Scarlets match, but the defence held and the Sarries were driven back. And back was where they stayed for the remainder of the first half. The positional advantage told, with a neat sniping try from Dicko created by superb work in the lineout from Sorrenson, then a lovely run and sidestep for a try from Easy all coming from a great offload from Downey, and finally a try from Dowse coming through an unstoppable rolling maul.
Half time saw a solid lead and a bonus point seemed in the offing. It wasn't to be, as the Sarries shored up their defences, to prevent the Saints getting their fourth try in the second half. The Sarries even tried to come back with some good positional play but it was too late for the Sarries and their was no way through a determined Saints defence. True, a soft try at the end gave them a vestige of respectability, but they went home without a point to add to their total.
But something had shifted in the Saints psyche. After the humiliation of last week they weren't going to roll over and die. From the off this was evident, Lamby started the match, a Sarrie forward collected only for Jamie Elliott to crash into him. The mismatch in size was ther for all to see, as was the effect as Jamie was clearly dazed and for a moment it looked as though his match was over. While he was still reeling and under the physios care, Sarries made a sortie into the Saints territory with a run from Strettle. For a moment it looked as though we were going to relive the Scarlets match, but the defence held and the Sarries were driven back. And back was where they stayed for the remainder of the first half. The positional advantage told, with a neat sniping try from Dicko created by superb work in the lineout from Sorrenson, then a lovely run and sidestep for a try from Easy all coming from a great offload from Downey, and finally a try from Dowse coming through an unstoppable rolling maul.
Half time saw a solid lead and a bonus point seemed in the offing. It wasn't to be, as the Sarries shored up their defences, to prevent the Saints getting their fourth try in the second half. The Sarries even tried to come back with some good positional play but it was too late for the Sarries and their was no way through a determined Saints defence. True, a soft try at the end gave them a vestige of respectability, but they went home without a point to add to their total.
Match Details
- Half Time 27-3
- Attendance 13,402
- Referee Dave Pearson
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Saints 23 - Scarlets 28
It's a while since we've really been able to calim Franklins Gardens as a fortress. And tonight saw another brick fall from the wall. After such a good match last week against Munster the expectations were high. But while the names on the sheet looked the same (baring Fodes dropping out at the last minute still carrying an injury, and Easy taking his position at full back), on the pitch it was a different matter. Nothing was going right for the boys. The number of turnovers and knock ons conceded was shocking. And the Scarlets simply gave a lesson in good strong running rugby. The honesty is that the Saints did not deserve a losing bonus point.
Within two minutes the Scarlets had barrelled over for a try. The warning signs were there, but last week when Munster did the same then the Saints came back with composure. Not tonight though. Scarlets managed to get four tries, some in slightly controversial circumstances, and they dominated everything.
From last years Heineken run, where the only match the Saints lost was the final, to this year and two losses from two meaning it seems unlikely that the Saints will progress beyond the pool stages. A match best forgotten.
Within two minutes the Scarlets had barrelled over for a try. The warning signs were there, but last week when Munster did the same then the Saints came back with composure. Not tonight though. Scarlets managed to get four tries, some in slightly controversial circumstances, and they dominated everything.
From last years Heineken run, where the only match the Saints lost was the final, to this year and two losses from two meaning it seems unlikely that the Saints will progress beyond the pool stages. A match best forgotten.
Match Details
- Half Time 9-21
- Attendance 13,475
- Referee Peter Fitzgibbon
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Munster 21 - Saints 23
Anyone who knows the history of these two teams would have known that this was always going to be close. But Thomond Park is a really tough place to play, I've been there, it epitomises the word "cauldron". The Saints have learnt in the last few years, but had they learnt enough.
Within 3 minutes of kick off Munster had scored a try. And not only had they scored but they had done it by pushing our forwards over the line. It could all have gone wrong then. But instead the Saints lifted their heads and came at Munster. They got ahead with a try and almost went into the half time oranges ahead, but a panicky end to the half gave Munster the chance to get back ahead. Again the Saints came back and took the lead. They held it for all of the second half. The game went past the 80 minute mark, the next time the ball went dead then it was all over. But Munster had the ball and were in the Saints half. The Saints drove them back, but then they came again. Over 40 phases and four and a half minutes neither side gave away a penalty. Munster were left with one choice and one choice only, but they had a sublime player for it, and sure enough Ronan O'Gara took a drop goal and planted the ball between the sticks.
It was all over. The Saints had played one of their best games, but it wasn't enough and they had victory snatched away. A painful painful end. But both teams could be proud of their work on the pitch. A fantastic spectacle and a great advert for the game.
Within 3 minutes of kick off Munster had scored a try. And not only had they scored but they had done it by pushing our forwards over the line. It could all have gone wrong then. But instead the Saints lifted their heads and came at Munster. They got ahead with a try and almost went into the half time oranges ahead, but a panicky end to the half gave Munster the chance to get back ahead. Again the Saints came back and took the lead. They held it for all of the second half. The game went past the 80 minute mark, the next time the ball went dead then it was all over. But Munster had the ball and were in the Saints half. The Saints drove them back, but then they came again. Over 40 phases and four and a half minutes neither side gave away a penalty. Munster were left with one choice and one choice only, but they had a sublime player for it, and sure enough Ronan O'Gara took a drop goal and planted the ball between the sticks.
It was all over. The Saints had played one of their best games, but it wasn't enough and they had victory snatched away. A painful painful end. But both teams could be proud of their work on the pitch. A fantastic spectacle and a great advert for the game.
Match Details
- Half Time 17-13
- Attendance 26,500
- Referee Nigel Owens
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