It's taken 24 hours but I have recovered enough to blog about the match. Not enough to go through and describe it fully, but at least to be able to mention it. In the 80 minutes of play I think I got through a fortnights worth of adrenalin, it was an amazing and intense match. In the end it really could have gone either way, these two teams are so close at the moment. It was finally won in the inches, and the Sarries had just enough.
There were some sublime moments. The best of which was the try by Tiny. After everything else this season it was certainly an irony. But to see Tiny running down the wing, pass a dummy, hand off (or charge over) Alex Goode and make it to the line was a moment I will remember for a long time.
The Saints have brought exciting rugby to the premiership this season. The Sarries joined in completely. It was a good match to end our season (but would have been even better had we won!).
Showing posts with label Guiness Premiership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guiness Premiership. Show all posts
Monday, 17 May 2010
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Saints vs Saracens Preview
Here we go, in to the play-offs. We finished the season second in the Guiness Premiership table which means we get a home match. But it's against the Sarries, which makes our 5th game against them this season. And the scores so far, 2-all. This is all to play for.
The team is much as you would expect:
15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Bruce Reihana
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga'uiha
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Brian Mujati
4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Phil Dowson
7 Neil Best
8 Roger Wilson
Replacements
16 Brett Sharman
17 Regardt Dreyer
18 Darren Morris
19 Courtney Lawes
20 Mark Easter
21 Alan Dickens
22 Shane Geraghty
23 Joe Ansbro
That's a strong squad and quite capable of doing well. But the Sarries have really stepped up the form in the last month, including beating both ourselves and the Tigers at home. In fact Jerry Guscott has the final being Bath vs Sarries, so he sees no home advantage in either game this week.
The team will be up for this though. It is only a few weeks ago that we were beaten, and the sound of the Sarries singing in the changing room had a big effect on them. I am convinced that this is why they played so much better against London Irish last week. Schalk Brits will be a key player for the Sarries, and they have Andy Goode back as well. However if we can avoid letting them have too much ball then we will be fine.
It's a close match to call. I think the Saints will get it, but less than 7 points between them.
The team is much as you would expect:
15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Bruce Reihana
10 Stephen Myler
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga'uiha
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Brian Mujati
4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Phil Dowson
7 Neil Best
8 Roger Wilson
Replacements
16 Brett Sharman
17 Regardt Dreyer
18 Darren Morris
19 Courtney Lawes
20 Mark Easter
21 Alan Dickens
22 Shane Geraghty
23 Joe Ansbro
That's a strong squad and quite capable of doing well. But the Sarries have really stepped up the form in the last month, including beating both ourselves and the Tigers at home. In fact Jerry Guscott has the final being Bath vs Sarries, so he sees no home advantage in either game this week.
The team will be up for this though. It is only a few weeks ago that we were beaten, and the sound of the Sarries singing in the changing room had a big effect on them. I am convinced that this is why they played so much better against London Irish last week. Schalk Brits will be a key player for the Sarries, and they have Andy Goode back as well. However if we can avoid letting them have too much ball then we will be fine.
It's a close match to call. I think the Saints will get it, but less than 7 points between them.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
London Irish 7 - Saints 31
I had been beginning to worry that we were jinxing the away games, having not seen a win away yet this season. But today corrected that and I feel that we can continue to go to away matches without worry.
This was a different team to the one that we saw two weeks ago against the Sarries. They came out firing today and looking as though they wanted to be there. And they looked like a team trying to work together rather than 15 individuals on a pitch. This is a combination that is hard to beat, and possibly we need to thank the Sarries for shaking us up. This was the best I have seen us play since the LV Cup Final.
There was some beautiful rugby played, and a couple of opportunities went missing. Once again Flash tried kicking the ball, and it went dead. I think we all may have to accept that Flash doesn't have the finese for kicking!
During the first half Lobbe received a blow to the head. It was painful to watch him trying to get up, his legs were just jelly and he kept sinking down again. But he wanted to play and nothing was going to stop him. By the time the medics reached him he was standing, but wobbling everywhere. We all thought he had to come off. But he wouldn't let the medics take him off. Thye even had a word with the ref but it became clear that if they tried to forcibly take him off then he was going to hit someone. Thankfully after another five minutes or so he recovered. A large part of me still feels he should have come off, but it shows the determination of the team as a whole.
Another moment that typified the determined nature of the team was when Topsy Ojo intercepted from us and started a run down the right wing. Topsy is a good winger and no slow coach. And he had no-one in front of him. This spelt disaster. Then suddenly, and I really still can't understand this, Juandre Kruger was catching Ojo up. Somehow Kruger was able to find power in his legs, after playing for 70 odd minutes, to catch and overhaul a wing. That shouldn't happen. In fact Ojo was so surprised, and possibly worried, by being caught that he almost stopped. Kruger had too much momentum and couldn't stop, overshooting Ojo (it was a scene out of Top Gun) but this gave the others a chance to catch up. Disaster averted.
A good win. A well played win. We dominated. We passed, we off-loaded, we stole their line-outs, we pushed their scrum.
Special mention to Mike Catt though. It was his last professional game. He was brought on with 15 minutes or so to go. And while you could laugh that he was given man of the match, I'd have to say he deserved it. His distribution was outstanding, and the team looked different with him on, more threatening. He is a class player.
Scorers
Saints - Tries: Clarke x2, Ashton. Con: Myler x2. Pens: Myler x 4
London Irish - Try: Coetzee. Con: Homer
This was a different team to the one that we saw two weeks ago against the Sarries. They came out firing today and looking as though they wanted to be there. And they looked like a team trying to work together rather than 15 individuals on a pitch. This is a combination that is hard to beat, and possibly we need to thank the Sarries for shaking us up. This was the best I have seen us play since the LV Cup Final.
There was some beautiful rugby played, and a couple of opportunities went missing. Once again Flash tried kicking the ball, and it went dead. I think we all may have to accept that Flash doesn't have the finese for kicking!
During the first half Lobbe received a blow to the head. It was painful to watch him trying to get up, his legs were just jelly and he kept sinking down again. But he wanted to play and nothing was going to stop him. By the time the medics reached him he was standing, but wobbling everywhere. We all thought he had to come off. But he wouldn't let the medics take him off. Thye even had a word with the ref but it became clear that if they tried to forcibly take him off then he was going to hit someone. Thankfully after another five minutes or so he recovered. A large part of me still feels he should have come off, but it shows the determination of the team as a whole.
Another moment that typified the determined nature of the team was when Topsy Ojo intercepted from us and started a run down the right wing. Topsy is a good winger and no slow coach. And he had no-one in front of him. This spelt disaster. Then suddenly, and I really still can't understand this, Juandre Kruger was catching Ojo up. Somehow Kruger was able to find power in his legs, after playing for 70 odd minutes, to catch and overhaul a wing. That shouldn't happen. In fact Ojo was so surprised, and possibly worried, by being caught that he almost stopped. Kruger had too much momentum and couldn't stop, overshooting Ojo (it was a scene out of Top Gun) but this gave the others a chance to catch up. Disaster averted.
A good win. A well played win. We dominated. We passed, we off-loaded, we stole their line-outs, we pushed their scrum.
Special mention to Mike Catt though. It was his last professional game. He was brought on with 15 minutes or so to go. And while you could laugh that he was given man of the match, I'd have to say he deserved it. His distribution was outstanding, and the team looked different with him on, more threatening. He is a class player.
Scorers
Saints - Tries: Clarke x2, Ashton. Con: Myler x2. Pens: Myler x 4
London Irish - Try: Coetzee. Con: Homer
London Irish vs Saints
Saints top on - check
Tickets in hand - check
Voice warmed up - check
Flag unfurled - check
Coat (for the rain) - check
Sat nav programmed - check
Petrol tank full - check
Last league game of the season. Still play-offs, but this is it, where can we end up in the table. After the disappointment of the last two matches, losing both by 1 point, can we make a come-back today.
There had been rumours, mostly coming out of The Exiles changing rooms, that the irish were going to play blood some young players today. Lokking at the team that has not happened. Instead they have named a top squad. And we have a good team out as well so it is going to be a good game. When the Irish played us at Franklins Gardens earlier in the season we just pipped them in the last minute of the game with a late try. Delon Armitage got very wound up and used some very bad language towards the ref. I think he was lucky not to get cited after the match. So they will have fire in the belly, plus they still have an outside chance of coming within the top four (if Bath lose to Leeds which seems unlikely), and finally it is Mike Catts last match - all these things add up to a big incentive. But our boys will still be smarting from hearing the Sarries players singing and cheering in the Franklins Gardens changing rooms, they've had an extra break just to get themselves back under control.
Here we go, Come On You Saints!
Tickets in hand - check
Voice warmed up - check
Flag unfurled - check
Coat (for the rain) - check
Sat nav programmed - check
Petrol tank full - check
Last league game of the season. Still play-offs, but this is it, where can we end up in the table. After the disappointment of the last two matches, losing both by 1 point, can we make a come-back today.
There had been rumours, mostly coming out of The Exiles changing rooms, that the irish were going to play blood some young players today. Lokking at the team that has not happened. Instead they have named a top squad. And we have a good team out as well so it is going to be a good game. When the Irish played us at Franklins Gardens earlier in the season we just pipped them in the last minute of the game with a late try. Delon Armitage got very wound up and used some very bad language towards the ref. I think he was lucky not to get cited after the match. So they will have fire in the belly, plus they still have an outside chance of coming within the top four (if Bath lose to Leeds which seems unlikely), and finally it is Mike Catts last match - all these things add up to a big incentive. But our boys will still be smarting from hearing the Sarries players singing and cheering in the Franklins Gardens changing rooms, they've had an extra break just to get themselves back under control.
Here we go, Come On You Saints!
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Up and Down
There has been some talk of expanding the premiership to 14 clubs and then dropping relegation. These "top" 14 clubs wolld be safe and simply have to compete against themselves. I am pleased to see that the idea is blocked, at least for now.
The basis of this has come from claims that the Magners League is stronger than the Guiness Premiership, and arguments that this is because the teams in the ML don't have to worry about relegation. In fact I think it comes a lot more from the fact that they don't have the same wage cap as the English clubs! That aside however, it is impossible to draw comparisons between the two systems. Wales, Ireland and Scotland play regional rugby, the teams in the ML are a region and they are able to draw from all the local clubs in their area. If you look at club level then they still have to compete to avoid relegation. But at regional level they don't because who would they play against if they were relegated - you couldn't really have the Scarlets playing against Cwmbran now could you! However in England we still have a club system, the Saints have their own squad to call upon but they aren't then drawing on talent from all around.
So,unless the English system is completely reworked to form regions, then the current system remains the best, and produces some exciting rugby.
The basis of this has come from claims that the Magners League is stronger than the Guiness Premiership, and arguments that this is because the teams in the ML don't have to worry about relegation. In fact I think it comes a lot more from the fact that they don't have the same wage cap as the English clubs! That aside however, it is impossible to draw comparisons between the two systems. Wales, Ireland and Scotland play regional rugby, the teams in the ML are a region and they are able to draw from all the local clubs in their area. If you look at club level then they still have to compete to avoid relegation. But at regional level they don't because who would they play against if they were relegated - you couldn't really have the Scarlets playing against Cwmbran now could you! However in England we still have a club system, the Saints have their own squad to call upon but they aren't then drawing on talent from all around.
So,unless the English system is completely reworked to form regions, then the current system remains the best, and produces some exciting rugby.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
Standings In The League
In another weekend of rugby the Saints are 2nd in the league with Leicester at the top, with both teams getting bonus points from their matches, but the Saints remain a game in hand.
A surprise at London Irish however saw them going down to Leeds despite the home advantage. That moves Leeds higher up the table and may mean that they are almost safe from relegation but it isn't looking good for Worcester languishing at the bottom after yet another defeat.
Next time Saints are against Leicester may be the very final game at the end of the season, and I hope that they are going to be crushed, but you never know!
A surprise at London Irish however saw them going down to Leeds despite the home advantage. That moves Leeds higher up the table and may mean that they are almost safe from relegation but it isn't looking good for Worcester languishing at the bottom after yet another defeat.
Next time Saints are against Leicester may be the very final game at the end of the season, and I hope that they are going to be crushed, but you never know!
Saints 38 - Gloucester 23
Since winning the LV Cup final, it could be said that the Saints haven't been firing on all cylinders. Culminating in the loss to Munster a week ago. How could they fare against Gloucester, a team out for revenge as this was a rematch of that LV Cup final, and one definitely on the up since Christmas.
The match didn't start well for the Saints. Within 3 minutes Gloucester had a penalty kicked by Nicky Robinson. Was this going to go the same way as the Munster match? From early on it was clear that the ref didn't like our front row. This was going to become important later in the match. But Stephen Myler came back with a penalty for the Saints at 8 minutes and we were starting to show a bit more form. Restarts were to continue to look shakey (another echo from the Munster trip) but we were definitely up for running rugby. The Saints had the edge in the line-outs but scrums were a little less predictable, sometimes one way, sometimes another.
A rush of lood to the head saw Gloucester taking a quick penalty instead of going for the points between the sticks. Saints got turn-over ball and Ben Foden hoofed the ball down the pitch. Although Gloucester had the throw in a magnificent leap by Courtney won the ball, it was worked out to the middle, then found Flash who split Gloucester defence in two with his speed and perfect line to score the first try. With Smyler being on form, Saints were up 10-3 within quarter of an hour.
The Saints were penalised immediately on the restart, but Nicky Robinson had not brought his kicking boots and was unable to claim the points. Things remained tense, despite another Smyler penalty. Then Gloucester made the break they needed and scored. 13-10. And then another penalty to the Saints, 16-10. This game could go anywhere. The end of the half saw the Saints in the lead, but Gloucester ahd made one more attack and almost got the try, foiled only by James Downey knocking the ball over the dead ball line before Gloucester could get their hands on it.
The second half started with the same intensity. The Cherry and Whites got a penalty. Then Dylan Hartley scored a try for the Saints. Another penalty to Gloucester. Then a second try for Flash. But I said earlier that the ref had taken a dislike to the Saints front row. At this point it came to haunt us, Dylan receiving a yellow card for cynical killing of the ball. The yellow card cost the Saints 10 points, with a penlaty, a try and a conversion all tucked away. 30-23, and again it could go any way. But the try came at the end of the ten minutes and the Saints were back to full strength.
Along with others, Smyler was subbed and Shane Geraghty came on. Always a scary moment for a Saints fan. Shane can show class and magic, but he can also fall over drastically. And there was little leaway here. Shane soon had his opportunity with a penalty, which was fairly straight forward, but we have all seen Shane hit the cross-bar from "relatively simple" kicks. He didn't fail this time. The Saints were 10 points ahead.
But there we were at the end, seconds ticking down, and we had failed to get our fourth try. A bonus point at this point in the season was essential, but it wasn't going to be. Until suddenly Bruce Reihana had the ball. A wonderful darting run down the left wing, with chants of "Brooce Brooce Brooce", side-stepping (or just going through) tackles. And he was there, over the try line. To the amazement of everyone he did not touch down however, instead passing the ball to Chris Ashton who was on his right shoulder so that Flash could touch down and get his hat-trick.
Bruce is a real soldier for the club and a real hero. He is everything you could want from a player, completely selfless. Over the years he has turned down the chance to go back to New Zealand and stake his place in the All Blacks, and turned down an offer from Munster when we were relegated. We are incredibly lucky to have him, as he symbolises everything that is good about rugby.
Gloucester came to Franklins Gardens knowing how hard it is to win at this fortress. But they came here planning to play rugby and not just spoil ball. Great credit to them, worthy opponents, and in many ways they deserved to get at least a point from this match. This match flowed back and forth, with attacks and counter-attacks abounding. And credit to the Gloucester fans as well, valiant and polite in defeat.
Scores
Saints - Tries: Chris Ashton x 3; Dylan Hartley. Cons: Stephen Myler x3. Pens: Stephen Myler x 3; Shane Geraghty
Gloucester - Tries: Charlie Sharples; Dave Attwood. Cons: Nicky Robinson x 2. Pens: Nicky Robinson x 3
The match didn't start well for the Saints. Within 3 minutes Gloucester had a penalty kicked by Nicky Robinson. Was this going to go the same way as the Munster match? From early on it was clear that the ref didn't like our front row. This was going to become important later in the match. But Stephen Myler came back with a penalty for the Saints at 8 minutes and we were starting to show a bit more form. Restarts were to continue to look shakey (another echo from the Munster trip) but we were definitely up for running rugby. The Saints had the edge in the line-outs but scrums were a little less predictable, sometimes one way, sometimes another.
A rush of lood to the head saw Gloucester taking a quick penalty instead of going for the points between the sticks. Saints got turn-over ball and Ben Foden hoofed the ball down the pitch. Although Gloucester had the throw in a magnificent leap by Courtney won the ball, it was worked out to the middle, then found Flash who split Gloucester defence in two with his speed and perfect line to score the first try. With Smyler being on form, Saints were up 10-3 within quarter of an hour.
The Saints were penalised immediately on the restart, but Nicky Robinson had not brought his kicking boots and was unable to claim the points. Things remained tense, despite another Smyler penalty. Then Gloucester made the break they needed and scored. 13-10. And then another penalty to the Saints, 16-10. This game could go anywhere. The end of the half saw the Saints in the lead, but Gloucester ahd made one more attack and almost got the try, foiled only by James Downey knocking the ball over the dead ball line before Gloucester could get their hands on it.
The second half started with the same intensity. The Cherry and Whites got a penalty. Then Dylan Hartley scored a try for the Saints. Another penalty to Gloucester. Then a second try for Flash. But I said earlier that the ref had taken a dislike to the Saints front row. At this point it came to haunt us, Dylan receiving a yellow card for cynical killing of the ball. The yellow card cost the Saints 10 points, with a penlaty, a try and a conversion all tucked away. 30-23, and again it could go any way. But the try came at the end of the ten minutes and the Saints were back to full strength.
Along with others, Smyler was subbed and Shane Geraghty came on. Always a scary moment for a Saints fan. Shane can show class and magic, but he can also fall over drastically. And there was little leaway here. Shane soon had his opportunity with a penalty, which was fairly straight forward, but we have all seen Shane hit the cross-bar from "relatively simple" kicks. He didn't fail this time. The Saints were 10 points ahead.
But there we were at the end, seconds ticking down, and we had failed to get our fourth try. A bonus point at this point in the season was essential, but it wasn't going to be. Until suddenly Bruce Reihana had the ball. A wonderful darting run down the left wing, with chants of "Brooce Brooce Brooce", side-stepping (or just going through) tackles. And he was there, over the try line. To the amazement of everyone he did not touch down however, instead passing the ball to Chris Ashton who was on his right shoulder so that Flash could touch down and get his hat-trick.
Bruce is a real soldier for the club and a real hero. He is everything you could want from a player, completely selfless. Over the years he has turned down the chance to go back to New Zealand and stake his place in the All Blacks, and turned down an offer from Munster when we were relegated. We are incredibly lucky to have him, as he symbolises everything that is good about rugby.
Gloucester came to Franklins Gardens knowing how hard it is to win at this fortress. But they came here planning to play rugby and not just spoil ball. Great credit to them, worthy opponents, and in many ways they deserved to get at least a point from this match. This match flowed back and forth, with attacks and counter-attacks abounding. And credit to the Gloucester fans as well, valiant and polite in defeat.
Scores
Saints - Tries: Chris Ashton x 3; Dylan Hartley. Cons: Stephen Myler x3. Pens: Stephen Myler x 3; Shane Geraghty
Gloucester - Tries: Charlie Sharples; Dave Attwood. Cons: Nicky Robinson x 2. Pens: Nicky Robinson x 3
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