Bad times for the Saints. Two very different games a week apart, but between them shipping over 90 points. The defensive machine has fallen and no-one is entirely sure why.
The first of these matches was against Munster and it was the last pool game of the Heineken. We had already messed up the Heineken and wouldn't be going through but, as well as pride, there was the chance to drop into the Amlin. So not a dead rubber.
Munster played their best game this season. But that doesn't tell the whole story. The Saints just didn't really get going. Whenever they made progress then they rapidly shipped points from poor restarts. Was it the disruption of playing a home match in Milton Keynes, something that had caused an awful lot of angst amongst the fans. Was it the antics of Flash and his move to Saracens announced during the week leading to him storming off the training pitch a few days earlier. Was it ten players with their eyes on the England shirt. Whatever it was, the end result was ugly. The Saints scored over 30 points, normally enough to win a match but gar away even more. In the last 5 matches the opposition only crossed the try line 3 times, in this match Munster crossed 5 times. A remarkable transformation.
Which brings us to the second match. LV Cup this time. The LV is still a possible route for us to get to the Heineken next season. So some consternation when a young team was picked to play an almost full strength Bath side. And it was as painful as we feared. Lacking Dicko to marshal the forces and all the rest of the Englamd call ups to provide stability, there was a lack of game management that Bath were able to capitalise on.
Still wearing the shirt, still a Saint, but a tough week at the office!
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Scarlets 17 - Saints 29
The Heineken has not been a good hunting ground for us this year, and the Scarlets especailly wounded us when they came to Franklins Gardens. This was an opportunity for revenge and pride, although there is still a possibility of getting into the Amlin Cup.
The first half was a disaster. Within two minutes of kick off Tom May had been shown a yellow card. Exactly how warranted that was may be a matter of debate. Certainly he acted petulantly, throwing the ball in the face of the oppostion after the whistle had been blown, but with no warning and much worse being seen in matches (including later in this one) with no action then it could have been considered harsh. The Saints failed to take this warning to heart though and throughout the first half continues to upset the ref, even getting a penalty reversed against them at one point. And when playing the ref like that it becomes difficult to play the opposition. Rolland had a poor game all told though, giving many warnings, final warnings, final final warnings, and final final final warnings. He never really got the game under control and it all ended up very scrappy, not an enjoyable match to watch.
Tom May being sent off seemed to galvanise the team however, learning from earlier in the season, and they had the majority of the possession to begin with. This couldn't be converted in to points and, in almost a role reversal of last weeks match against the Quins, it was the Scarlets who managed to get the first points on the board during a rare passage of play in the Saints half. In fact Priestland was to get a second penalty shortly after and within the first quarter of an hour the Saints were trailing 6-0. A couple more penalties were exchanged and then the game broke open with Priestland giving a fine chip for his wing to collect and dot down for the try. The Saints were looking at risk of falling off this one and, with only one more penalty for Smyler before half time, it was clear that the game plan needed to be changed.
Don't make as many silly mistakes, don't annoy the ref, and use the scrum. Three basic rules that, when the Saints follow them, usually spell success. And five minutes after the restart, sure enough sticking to these rules saw Tiny slam the ball down over the try line. It had to go to the TMO but the try was awarded and the Saints looked like they might be finding the route back into the game. Some more penalties from Smyler and it was looking good for the Saints.
Then something happened. Exactly what is unclear. Was it the Scarlets bringing on Stephen Jones, was it them replacing their front row? Whatever it was, one moment the Saints were down on the Scarlets line looking confident of scoring and then the next, with eight minutes left, the Sacrlets upped the tempo and sddenly the Saints were on the back foot again. The Scarlets were down camped right on the Saints line and they weren't going to let up their position. However the Saints weren't going to let their defence down either. Time after time the Scarlets came for the line, time after time the Saints repelled them. Massive tackles from Samu and Easy, Fodes everywhere on the pitch making those try saving tackles. It was intense. And gradually the Scarlets got more an more frustrated.
Smyler got Man of the Match. While some of his tactical play in the first half may not have been perfect, a 100% success from the kicking tee was a great result and he deserved the accolade.
The first half was a disaster. Within two minutes of kick off Tom May had been shown a yellow card. Exactly how warranted that was may be a matter of debate. Certainly he acted petulantly, throwing the ball in the face of the oppostion after the whistle had been blown, but with no warning and much worse being seen in matches (including later in this one) with no action then it could have been considered harsh. The Saints failed to take this warning to heart though and throughout the first half continues to upset the ref, even getting a penalty reversed against them at one point. And when playing the ref like that it becomes difficult to play the opposition. Rolland had a poor game all told though, giving many warnings, final warnings, final final warnings, and final final final warnings. He never really got the game under control and it all ended up very scrappy, not an enjoyable match to watch.
Tom May being sent off seemed to galvanise the team however, learning from earlier in the season, and they had the majority of the possession to begin with. This couldn't be converted in to points and, in almost a role reversal of last weeks match against the Quins, it was the Scarlets who managed to get the first points on the board during a rare passage of play in the Saints half. In fact Priestland was to get a second penalty shortly after and within the first quarter of an hour the Saints were trailing 6-0. A couple more penalties were exchanged and then the game broke open with Priestland giving a fine chip for his wing to collect and dot down for the try. The Saints were looking at risk of falling off this one and, with only one more penalty for Smyler before half time, it was clear that the game plan needed to be changed.
Don't make as many silly mistakes, don't annoy the ref, and use the scrum. Three basic rules that, when the Saints follow them, usually spell success. And five minutes after the restart, sure enough sticking to these rules saw Tiny slam the ball down over the try line. It had to go to the TMO but the try was awarded and the Saints looked like they might be finding the route back into the game. Some more penalties from Smyler and it was looking good for the Saints.
Then something happened. Exactly what is unclear. Was it the Scarlets bringing on Stephen Jones, was it them replacing their front row? Whatever it was, one moment the Saints were down on the Scarlets line looking confident of scoring and then the next, with eight minutes left, the Sacrlets upped the tempo and sddenly the Saints were on the back foot again. The Scarlets were down camped right on the Saints line and they weren't going to let up their position. However the Saints weren't going to let their defence down either. Time after time the Scarlets came for the line, time after time the Saints repelled them. Massive tackles from Samu and Easy, Fodes everywhere on the pitch making those try saving tackles. It was intense. And gradually the Scarlets got more an more frustrated.
Smyler got Man of the Match. While some of his tactical play in the first half may not have been perfect, a 100% success from the kicking tee was a great result and he deserved the accolade.
Match Details
- Half Time 14-6
- Attendance 9,869
- Referee Alain Rolland
- MoM Smyler
Friday, 6 January 2012
Saints 24 - Quins 3
So I'm getting a bit behind with writing these up, which after such a good match is a shame. Finally the Saints put in a full 80 minutes, and it really showed, taking apart the Premiership leaders and dominating the match throughout, apart from a ten minute period at the beginning of each half.
2011 had ended well for the Siants, while the Quins had shown a bit of a wobble. But all Saints fans will be aware that it was the Quins who broke us at home this time last year and started a bad run of form. How would we face up to them this year? The whistle went, with another full crowd at the Gardens, and you could feel the anticipation in the air. Friday night matches aren't everyones favourite but I like them, and was pleased to ahve managed to get back from London in time. But to begin with I wondered why, as the Saints only had possession for 35 seconds in that first 10 minutes, that's right 35 seconds. This was not the start we were hoping for. Despite this though the Saints defence held up and with the first foray into the Quins 22 we got a penalty which Lamby slotted over. Despite an unbelievable level of possession, the Quins were behind.
Next step in the right direction came from the Saints scrum. They repeatedly put pressure on the Quins right on the try line and finally Dave Pearson snapped, hand in pocket and Nick Easter was seeing a yellow. While the good position couldn't be translated into a try, Lamby then knocked over a lovely drop goal. More points on the board. Number advantage was to tell further as the Saints again entered the Quins 22. A pass to Lamby saw him juggling the ball for a moment, causing everyone to take a sharp intake of breath, before he gathered it enough to pass to Fodes. This set up a quick battle of the England full backs, Fodes racing for the line and Mike Brown closing in on him. A smart hand off from Fodes saw him get the better of the exchange and he was over for the try. 2 more penalties to Lamby and one to the Quins and the first half was over.
Again the Quins started the better of the two teams and heaped the pressure on the Saints. While the defence held strong a few penalties were given away but twice the Quins missed their opportunities to get more points and the kicks failed to go between the uprights. At 56 minutes the Saints came back with another try from Sarge and everyone thought the game was done and dusted. Until two minutes later Sorenson was given a yellow for entering a ruck from the side. Unlike earlier in the season the Saints did not panic or get frustrated and clung to the motto "they shall not pass". Excellent defence meant that the Quins could not get any more points. An exciting game came to a close with the Saints clear victors, and man of the match went to Samu Manoa who, along with Easy, was putting in immense tackles to stop any advance from the Quins.
2011 had ended well for the Siants, while the Quins had shown a bit of a wobble. But all Saints fans will be aware that it was the Quins who broke us at home this time last year and started a bad run of form. How would we face up to them this year? The whistle went, with another full crowd at the Gardens, and you could feel the anticipation in the air. Friday night matches aren't everyones favourite but I like them, and was pleased to ahve managed to get back from London in time. But to begin with I wondered why, as the Saints only had possession for 35 seconds in that first 10 minutes, that's right 35 seconds. This was not the start we were hoping for. Despite this though the Saints defence held up and with the first foray into the Quins 22 we got a penalty which Lamby slotted over. Despite an unbelievable level of possession, the Quins were behind.
Next step in the right direction came from the Saints scrum. They repeatedly put pressure on the Quins right on the try line and finally Dave Pearson snapped, hand in pocket and Nick Easter was seeing a yellow. While the good position couldn't be translated into a try, Lamby then knocked over a lovely drop goal. More points on the board. Number advantage was to tell further as the Saints again entered the Quins 22. A pass to Lamby saw him juggling the ball for a moment, causing everyone to take a sharp intake of breath, before he gathered it enough to pass to Fodes. This set up a quick battle of the England full backs, Fodes racing for the line and Mike Brown closing in on him. A smart hand off from Fodes saw him get the better of the exchange and he was over for the try. 2 more penalties to Lamby and one to the Quins and the first half was over.
Again the Quins started the better of the two teams and heaped the pressure on the Saints. While the defence held strong a few penalties were given away but twice the Quins missed their opportunities to get more points and the kicks failed to go between the uprights. At 56 minutes the Saints came back with another try from Sarge and everyone thought the game was done and dusted. Until two minutes later Sorenson was given a yellow for entering a ruck from the side. Unlike earlier in the season the Saints did not panic or get frustrated and clung to the motto "they shall not pass". Excellent defence meant that the Quins could not get any more points. An exciting game came to a close with the Saints clear victors, and man of the match went to Samu Manoa who, along with Easy, was putting in immense tackles to stop any advance from the Quins.
Match Details
- Half Time 17-3
- Attendance 13,459
- Referee Dave Pearson
- MoM Samu Manoa
Northampton Saints
| No. | Name | T | C | D | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Ben Foden | 1T | ||||
| 14 | Chris Ashton | |||||
| 13 | George Pisi | |||||
| 12 | James Downey | |||||
| 11 | Noah Cato | |||||
| 10 | Ryan Lamb | 1C | 1D | 3P | ||
| 9 | Lee Dickson | |||||
| 1 | Soane Tongauiha | |||||
| 2 | Dylan Hartley | |||||
| 3 | Paul Doran-Jones | |||||
| 4 | Samu Manoa | |||||
| 5 | Mark Sorenson |  | ||||
| 6 | Phil Dowson | |||||
| 7 | Tom Wood | |||||
| 8 | Roger Wilson | 1T | ||||
| 16 | Mike Haywood | |||||
| 17 | Alex Waller | |||||
| 18 | Brian Mujati | |||||
| 19 | Christian Day | |||||
| 20 | Ben Nutley | |||||
| 21 | Martin Roberts | |||||
| 22 | Stephen Myler | |||||
| 23 | Tom May |
Harlequins
| No. | Name | T | C | D | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Mike Brown | |||||
| 14 | Tom Williams | |||||
| 13 | Matt Hopper | |||||
| 12 | Jordan Turner-Hall | |||||
| 11 | Ugo Monye | |||||
| 10 | Rory Clegg | 1P | ||||
| 9 | Daniel Care | |||||
| 1 | Joe Marler | |||||
| 2 | Chris Brooker | |||||
| 3 | James Johnston | |||||
| 4 | Ollie Kohn | |||||
| 5 | George Robson | |||||
| 6 | Chris Robshaw | |||||
| 7 | Luke Wallace | |||||
| 8 | Nick Easter | | ||||
| 16 | Joe Gray | |||||
| 17 | Mark Lambert | |||||
| 18 | Tim Fairbrother |
| 19 | Tomas Vallejos-Cinalli | |||||
| 20 | Tom Guest | |||||
| 21 | Richard Bolt | |||||
| 22 | Benjamin Urdapilleta | |||||
| 23 | Sam Smith |
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