Northampton Saints
News: Match Report Saints Legends v The Rest of the World
By Rupert M'Duck
May 10 2009
Your usual reporters having decided to visit relatives, go to the Seychelles for quick tan or do some gardening it was left to your humble but intrepid scribe to bring to you an account of the events at Franklin's Gardens on the occasion of the retirement from professional rugby of Mr T Smith.
Match Report
Saints Legends v The Rest of the World
(or something like that)
BY Rupert M'duck
In order to absorb the unique atmosphere of the event and with the intention of gaining some appreciation of the milieu characteristic of the common supporters of Northampton Rugby football club I took station in the notorious C bloc.
Two teams were to play out the afternoons entertainment one was to consist of former Saints players while other was to comprise a bouillabaisse of internationals and those who have taken the management shilling.
Your reporter and many others were confused by the fact that all of the players on each side appeared to be called T Smith . The ubiquity of this presence was only partially relieved by one team playing in red and the other in green.
We are of course aware as we write this report that many will have thought that the premier events of the day were taking place elsewhere in games involving the tatterdemalion clad clowns from the Stoop contesting honours with a team of one Irishman and a lot of others - or the public school dropouts from Jane Austin's favourite wetlands in their hapless struggle against the East Midlands second best team.
No - not at all for the most scintillating demonstration of rugby football was taking place in front of eyes at the former bear pit that is Franklins Gardens.
No other game that this reporter has witnessed has displayed such a plethora of tries or such example of ball handling skills - intelligent but risqué passing and athletic prowess as was on show for those fortunate enough to be there.
Some outstanding examples of skill and determination are worthy of individual mention. Thorneycroft H was a running marvel whose silky side steps and blithe body swerves mesmerised his opponents and the crowd. Bateman A belied his slight stature and greying hair with thunderous tackles while Fox D and Jorgenson P seemed to be permanently on course for the try line.
Not all was sweetness and light, however , Malinder J displayed a reckless attitude running madly at the opposition while West D will be lucky to avoid a midnight visit from the citing commissioners after his ill judged jostling of the referee Mr Rowden.
The less said about Grayson P whose pathetic attempt at a penalty goal showed that he needs to be taken in hand under the tutelage of good coach.
A word about the referee Mr A Rowden of the RFU. This man had clearly no idea what he was doing and within ten minutes of the game starting had clearly lost control of the game - missing knock ons - forward passes and yet content to arbitrarily show yellow card to the crows.
The result was however never in doubt - Smith T had a wonderful game - scored all the tries and was unequivocally man of the match.
Not all was sweetness and light, however , Malinder J displayed a reckless attitude running madly at the opposition while West D will be lucky to avoid a midnight visit from the citing commissioners after his ill judged jostling of the referee Mr Rowden.
The less said about Grayson P whose pathetic attempt at a penalty goal showed that he needs to be taken in hand under the tutelage of good coach.
A word about the referee Mr A Rowden of the RFU. This man had clearly no idea what he was doing and within ten minutes of the game starting had clearly lost control of the game - missing knock ons - forward passes and yet content to arbitrarily show yellow card to the crows.
The result was however never in doubt - Smith T had a wonderful game - scored all the tries and was unequivocally man of the match.
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Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 10/05/2009 00:27
ComeOnYouSaints.com
10/05/2009 00:27
10/05/2009 00:27
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An excellent report on a marvellous day out.Very balanced and accurate.Well done Sir!
Bridesmaids no more.
Bridesmaids no more.
Good pics, I'm sure Kev the Kitman will be very proud of his!
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
Good report - sounds like a great occasion, was very sad to miss it! Thanks for taking me there 
South Burrda Stand / K-Lo / Row P / Renewed
Pah! No records of scorers, substitutes, and what was Rowden A doing sinbinning the local corvidae?
Seriously, great report for a great day out...anyone remember the final score?
Photo Gallery
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:10:10:39:45 by smurfomatic.
Seriously, great report for a great day out...anyone remember the final score?
Photo Gallery
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:05:10:10:39:45 by smurfomatic.
Among many highlights was seeing Batman and Jorgy in the same team and on the pitch together. And meeting the players after was as enjoyable as the rugby.
Dorian thought we might already have announced a new prop (Mr Bonorino perhaps) and indicated he would be our 5th in-line front rower.
Dorian thought we might already have announced a new prop (Mr Bonorino perhaps) and indicated he would be our 5th in-line front rower.
One of the best parts for me was just walking around on the pitch afterwards. I'm sure Piggy was having palpitations, but he has the summer to repair it!
Was a superb day and a privilege to be part of a farwell to a legend (lets hope he gets a nice coaching contract from us as a leaving present - need people with his dedication at the club!) and also to see so many past legends, especially Harvey (is he signed to a club? - i reckon he could still cut it with the big boys)
As a long term saints supporter i could recognise quite a few faces (looking past the grey/bald heads & extra pounds) but there were still a few that i couldnt work out - does anyone have a list of the players that actually turned out on the day (for both teams), would be keen to know to if anyone can oblige?
(was the prop with the long hair hynesy?)
As a long term saints supporter i could recognise quite a few faces (looking past the grey/bald heads & extra pounds) but there were still a few that i couldnt work out - does anyone have a list of the players that actually turned out on the day (for both teams), would be keen to know to if anyone can oblige?
(was the prop with the long hair hynesy?)
It was a superb afternoon and what a great crowd for Tom.
Like others have said, the best bit was walking around chatting to the players on the pitch afterwards - all were delighted to be there and took time to talk to the boys.
Had a quick natter to Neil Best too, who said they (and he in particular) intend to "batter" Bourgoin! (And I don't think he meant what they do to cod in the Weedon Road chippie).
Like others have said, the best bit was walking around chatting to the players on the pitch afterwards - all were delighted to be there and took time to talk to the boys.
Had a quick natter to Neil Best too, who said they (and he in particular) intend to "batter" Bourgoin! (And I don't think he meant what they do to cod in the Weedon Road chippie).
Yep,Hynesy has long hair.It was lovely to see them all.Someone took a team photo before the game,so perhaps we'll see it on the offy sometime soon.
Bridesmaids no more.
Bridesmaids no more.
Battering the cod in the Weedon Rd chippy is a delicate affair...so I am with Besty...batter 'em good and proper.
Bridesmaids no more.
Bridesmaids no more.
Excellent report catches the flavour of the day nicely.
Walking on the pitch was good and it allowed the mate who'd brought me to the game to renew his aquaintence with Lenny from their playing days. Rugby is a great community and testimonial games are great examples of this.
Walking on the pitch was good and it allowed the mate who'd brought me to the game to renew his aquaintence with Lenny from their playing days. Rugby is a great community and testimonial games are great examples of this.
A fine report for a fine day.
I stood in the Church's Stand just watching folks chatting with the players and being on the hallowed turf. It was a lovely scene.
I stood in the Church's Stand just watching folks chatting with the players and being on the hallowed turf. It was a lovely scene.
It would be good to have a complete list of those who played as there seemed to be several former Saints that were not on the team sheet. And as for the 'Reds' I was struggling. As it seems was Chris W at times!
great day out, what a wonderful send off for the great man,always worth our 160 mile round trip[size=large][/size]
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