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.

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