Sunday, 23 January 2011
6 out of 6
The only team to win six out of six matches in the pool stages of the Heineken. Luckily today Toulouse fell to Wasps, which puts us at the top of the table and thus avoids a match with the Tigers at the moment.
Saturday, 22 January 2011
Castres - Saints
Entering the last match of the Heineken pool stages and the Saints are one of only teams so far unbeaten. This guaraatees that we are through to the quarter finals. But where we end up, and if we get a home game, depends on the match against Castres. It's away, and Castres have an incredibly good record at home, having beaten all the big French sides this season.
What emerges is a match that shows the Saints have got over their New Year blues. Both forwards and backs combine into a strong, instoppable, force. The scrum win the ball repeatedly, and then Fodes and Joe come into the line to give penetration. Smyler once again shows tactical understanding with penetrating kicks as well as fine distribution of the ball when running is the correct option. Smyler introduces more than the crash ball, including delayed passes, scissors, and floating balls. This keeps the opposition guessing and they can't come up with an answer.
The first try for the Saints comes from Joe. A great run from him sees him defeat four defenders before going over the line. The second try is again set up by Joe, who manages a great penetrating run. ALthough he possibly passes too early meaning that the ball ends up going down, it is recycled and Smyler makes the run for the line. Surprisingly at the last minute he passes to Dowse who goes over. Many think that Smyler could have gone over himself, but watching later it is likely he would have been tackled whereas his pass wrong foots the one remainding defender. The thirs try again invovles Joe. Deep in the Saints half Sorenson manages to get a turnover and the ball goes to Joe. He is tackled but manages to off-load. There then follows a juggling act up the field, no-one quite having full control of the ball, and Joe comes in again to take it after a wonderful backhand pass from Rabbit. Joe is tap tackled and can't keep his balance, he goes down, but off-loads to Fodes who then goes over.
Saints win.
What emerges is a match that shows the Saints have got over their New Year blues. Both forwards and backs combine into a strong, instoppable, force. The scrum win the ball repeatedly, and then Fodes and Joe come into the line to give penetration. Smyler once again shows tactical understanding with penetrating kicks as well as fine distribution of the ball when running is the correct option. Smyler introduces more than the crash ball, including delayed passes, scissors, and floating balls. This keeps the opposition guessing and they can't come up with an answer.
The first try for the Saints comes from Joe. A great run from him sees him defeat four defenders before going over the line. The second try is again set up by Joe, who manages a great penetrating run. ALthough he possibly passes too early meaning that the ball ends up going down, it is recycled and Smyler makes the run for the line. Surprisingly at the last minute he passes to Dowse who goes over. Many think that Smyler could have gone over himself, but watching later it is likely he would have been tackled whereas his pass wrong foots the one remainding defender. The thirs try again invovles Joe. Deep in the Saints half Sorenson manages to get a turnover and the ball goes to Joe. He is tackled but manages to off-load. There then follows a juggling act up the field, no-one quite having full control of the ball, and Joe comes in again to take it after a wonderful backhand pass from Rabbit. Joe is tap tackled and can't keep his balance, he goes down, but off-loads to Fodes who then goes over.
Saints win.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Eurotable Standing
If you were to go on the Saints website at the moment and visit the forum then you could be forgiven for thinking that the Saints were languishing at the bottom of every competition possible. Certainly there is a lot of doom and gloom after losing two matches this season.
However, the Eurotable is back up after a hiatus. And it makes interesting reading. Yes, the Saints have dropped a position in the last two weeks. But this simply means that we are now in second rather than first place, topping all the other European clubs except for Toulouse.
Not a bad place to be!
However, the Eurotable is back up after a hiatus. And it makes interesting reading. Yes, the Saints have dropped a position in the last two weeks. But this simply means that we are now in second rather than first place, topping all the other European clubs except for Toulouse.
Not a bad place to be!
Friday, 14 January 2011
Saints 37 - Edinburgh 0
Not often these days that a team doesn't score anything. Norally there is at least a penalty in there. But this was a complete shut out from the Saints. Discipline was once again back to high standards adn defence was up to anything that Edinburgh could throw at them.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing was the 4 tries scored by Digger. He was helped with the third as Joe Ansbro had already crossed the line when he passed to Digger for Digger to score. That might seem strange but earlier in the match a pass from Joe was so off target that Digger had no chance of collecting it when he was on for an almost certain try, this time Joe is reported to have said "I owed you one". But the other three were well worked and came from good support play and rounded off a fine evening. That the last three tries came in the last 8 minutes of the game was just a bit of gold-dust to rub in the faces of those that leave early!
This result meant that the Saints maintained their 100% record in the Heineken and are the first team to qualify for the quarter finals. While there is now a good chance of a home draw it still depends on next weeks match at Castres as well as what happens in the other pools.
Scorers:
Saints - Tries: Mooj, Digger (4); Cons: Smyler (2), TinTin; Pens: Smyler (2)
Perhaps the most remarkable thing was the 4 tries scored by Digger. He was helped with the third as Joe Ansbro had already crossed the line when he passed to Digger for Digger to score. That might seem strange but earlier in the match a pass from Joe was so off target that Digger had no chance of collecting it when he was on for an almost certain try, this time Joe is reported to have said "I owed you one". But the other three were well worked and came from good support play and rounded off a fine evening. That the last three tries came in the last 8 minutes of the game was just a bit of gold-dust to rub in the faces of those that leave early!
This result meant that the Saints maintained their 100% record in the Heineken and are the first team to qualify for the quarter finals. While there is now a good chance of a home draw it still depends on next weeks match at Castres as well as what happens in the other pools.
Scorers:
Saints - Tries: Mooj, Digger (4); Cons: Smyler (2), TinTin; Pens: Smyler (2)
Saints vs Edinburgh
Two losses in a row. Tonight is therefore a really big match. With injuries to dicko, flash, long arm and TinTin it will also be a test of depth. 35 minutes until kick off. Tension mounting.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Playing the Sax
Further recognition for the Saints today as Christian Day and Jon Clarke are called up into the Saxons squad ahead of the 6 Nations matches.
This is always a case of mixed emotions. Very pleased for them of course but this even further reduces the Saints squad. Time to see what strength in depth we have.
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