By Tim Empson
January 23 2009

Well the old enemy at home. This is what we supporters live for - the chance to put one over our neighbours. Earlier in the season in a midweek game Saints came off second best at Welford road in a score that slightly flattered the Tigers. Could we do the same to them live on Sky?

Saints V Leicester

Question: Who was your MoTM as Saints slew the Tigers at the Gardens?

Well the old enemy at home.  This is what we supporters live for - the chance to put one over our neighbours.  Earlier in the season in a midweek game Saints came off second best at Welford road in a score that slightly flattered the Tigers.  Could we do the same to them live on Sky?  Well due to the requirements of TV we kicked off at 17:00 on a freezing cold afternoon.  The pitch looked good and special mention must go to David "Piggy" Powell for getting us a game on a day when Quins and Bath could not.

So a packed Gardens with a healthy sprinkling of Tigers fans waited, or should that be shivered, expectantly as the teams ran out.  I am sure I was not alone in fearing the worst as we had obviously lost the toss and were to attack towards the South Stand in the first half.  Well we should not have worried as Saints started with hats on wheels and positively flew at the Tigers.  Two tries and a potential third ruled out for a forward pass to none in the first half and it was only a worrying off day of Stephen Mylers boot that kept the pussy cats in the game - as we turned around only 4 points ahead.  Surely the Saints could not be as dominant again in the second half.

The second half was indeed a closer affair.  Flood scored on the only occasion that Tigers really threatened our line but as we had a third try the game entered the final 1o minutes nip and tuck with only 4 points in it.  It was certainly squeaky bottom time - one slip in defence and Tigers would take a game Saints should have won at half time.  At this stage the forwards took charge and out Tiggered the Tigers - the five minutes of up the jumper as the clock ran down was superb.  Eventually Leicester gave a penalty away with about 30 seconds on the clock.   Nacho man quickly grabbed the ball to ensure no one was stupid enough to take a quick tap and I am sure he lapped up the atmosphere as the crowd counted down the clock and as it got to zero Captain Lobbe calmly tossed the ball to Myler and told him to put it deep into the Stands.  Cue euphoria as if we had won the league.

So we retired to the Rodbar and watched some fabulous entertainment laid on by the supporters club.  If only the club would help out we could have a band on more frequently.  I was most impressed with the Tigs fans who stayed and enjoyed it despite the result for them.  And finally big thanks to the 100 or so Pirates that were at the ground - friends from our sojourn in ND1 on the way to their game at Nottingham the following day.

So who caught the eye?

Whist Juandre Kruger is still a relative new boy but he continues to impress - not only with his dominant displays in the line out but also his work rate around the park.  Juandre is a great addition to the squad.

Ben Foden followed up his MoTM performance against Bristol with another great display from full back with 10%.

In second place, and a rock in our defence, was James Downey with 15% of the votes.  James reminds me so much of John Leslie in that we tend to miss him much more when he isn't there than we notice the good work he does.  I am sure the high figures here are because many had a chance to watch a rerun of the game when they got home.

Finally with his fifth win of the season was local hero Paul Diggin with 37.5% of the votes.  Paul was as ecstatic with the win as we were as he bounced around the pitch.  Paul now has opened up a lead at the top of the leader board.  Well done Digger who with this win levels the scores between the forwards and the backs on 8.5 wins each.

Full Result 

Question: Who was your MoTM as Saints slew the Tigers at the Gardens?

Ben Foden     10.40%

Paul Diggin     37.57%

James Downey         15.03%

Juandre Kruger         9.83%

Number of votes: 173

Previous Winners 

Leicester Home - Paul Diggin

Bristol Home (GP) - Ben Foden

Bath Away - Mark Easter

Quins Home - Euan Murray

Bristol Away (ECC) - Paul Diggin

Bristol Home (ECC) - Paul Diggin

Gloucester Away - Paul Diggin

Bath Home - Roger Wilson

Bristol Away - Roger Wilson

Scarlets Home (EDF) - Roger Wilson

Sarries Away (EDF) - Roger Wilson/Ben Foden

Montpellier Home - Courtney Lawes

Toulon Away - Stephen Myler

Bristol Home (EDF) - Paul Diggin

Leicester Away - Ben Foden

Sarries Away - Stephen Myler

Wasps Home - Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe

Newcastle Away – Sean Lamont

Worcester Home - Neil Best

Vote History 

Leicester Home - 173

Bristol Home (GP) - 133

Bath Away - 53

Quins Home - 147

Bristol Away (ECC) - 48

Bristol Home (ECC) - 107

Gloucester Away - 74

Bath Home - 121

Bristol Away - 40

Scarlets Home (EDF) - 124

Sarries Away (EDF) - 46

Montpellier Home - 119

Toulon Away - 167

Bristol Home (EDF) - 82

Leicester Away - 57

Sarries Away - 73

Wasps Home - 113

Newcastle Away - 46

Worcester Home - 149

Who wins? 

Backs 8.5, Half Backs 2, Forwards 8.5

Winners 

Paul Diggin 5

Roger Wilson 3.5

Ben Foden 2.5

Stephen Myler 2

Neil Best 1

Sean Lamont 1

Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe 1

Courtney Lawes 1

Euan Murray 1

Mark Easter 1

News: Man of the Match GP: Leicester (H)

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 23/01/2009 12:58

ComeOnYouSaints.com
23/01/2009 12:58

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Saint Tim
23/01/2009 13:02

Thanks Pip



“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”

Benjamin Franklin

Tetleys Block F E143

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Connorman
23/01/2009 14:06

Highest vote level of the season?

I enjoyed that, Tim. Quite right to mention the Pirates there too. Thanks as ever.

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