Northampton Saints
News: There was a Buzz down at the Gardens tonight
By Howlin'
March 28 2010
They say that the hardest thing about winning trophies is to back it up. Once you have reached the pinnacle how do you motivate yourself to carry on? This was possibly going to be the Saints biggest obstacle; motivating both body and mind to tackle a very tough premiership battle just days after lifting the LV Cup, or for some, returning from the heady heights of international rugby to the
bump and grind of the league. Add to this the opponents with a couple of days extra rest (indeed at least three of their starts returning from much longer breaks), who have a pedigree unrivalled by any in domestic rugby over the last decade (see Bleach’s excellent preview). The stage was set for an upset and an end to the Saints impressive home record. It was indeed the proverbial banana skin just waiting to be slipped on. Could the Saints prove their mettle and continue on the heady journey that this season has so far provided for their supporters?
There was a Buzz down at the Gardens tonight.
Guinness Premiership Saturday 27th March 2010
KO 17:30 - Franklin's Gardens
Well maybe the Saints faithful were suffering from a cup hangover as the atmosphere was muted. Wise man he say that matches between Saints and Wasps are like considering a tepee and a wigwam; simply two tents. And too tense it was for many right up until Stephen Myler landed a perfect drop goal to put Saints back in the lead in the 69th minute and a penalty 3 minutes later to force Wasps to have to score a try to win the game. A task that was simply beyond them. The Saints faithful could at last cheer happily again at yet another home win. But it was a win that was earned the hard way.
Wasps had come to win, However many of the watchers did not seem to appreciate the quality of their play, preferring to blame the saints for under achievement, as the groans from the crowd outweighed the cheers. With Rees, Simpson and Skivington all returning from injury and all three, particularly Rees putting in very solid performances Wasps started the match well with their press defence and aggressive tackling and rucking pushing Saints back into their own half time and again. This, together with Mr Pearson’s love of his whistle and unpredictability at ruck and scrum time, meant Saints resorted to the boot several times to gain territory. But Wasps dealt with the high ball very well on the whole (better than previously if we believe Lardy’s pre match assessment) and due to the territorial advantage gained, the trading of penalties awarded gave Wasps kicking opportunities whilst Saint’s piglet pressies were all from distance. Cipriani took two of his opportunities squandering two more. For Saints two were kicked to touch and Bruce achieved 50% success with his two long range boomers. So 6-3 to Wasps and it looked like how it would stay until half time. The poster who has Wasps/Saints at 7-1 was probably clutching his betting slip in anticipation. Surely Saints would come out blazing in the second half and turn it around as they have done in several previous matches at FG.
But the half wasn’t over. Saints managed to gain some rare territory and a break from Geraghty set up phase play and offloading of high quality that eventually ended with a try by Wilson in the Shrubbery corner. Perhaps Bruce should have gone through the hands instead of opting for the looping miss pass (off his left hand) and perhaps Downey smudged Varndell’s make-up slightly as he ran to congratulate Roger on his efforts. But it was a try none the less and as the Saints entered the dressing room at Half time they had an 8-6 lead and the supporters in Green , Black and Gold could breathe slightly more easily.
The Saints started the second half like hats on wheels (time for a reprise) and treated the crowd to some fast paced handling and excitement. But Wasps held firm. A true mark of the quality of their defence as there cannot be many teams who have survived the post half time onslaught from Saints this season with the scoreboard untroubled. Once the siege had been lifted the game ebbed and flowed and with piglet having already completed his offences bingo card the whistle was quieter resulting in a pulsating match. It was a testament to the tenacity of both defences that no more tries were scored. Varndell came closest for Wasps but decided to throw the ball a couple of yards forward, probably deciding to prepare Cipriani for his time in the super 14. On 63 mins Walder stepped into the kicking shoes,as piglet discovered an offence he hadn’t pinged yet, and put Wasps back into the lead.
Then came the Stephen Myler moments. A sublime drop goal then a booming kick from twenty two to twenty two. Saints win the line out then a couple of phases result in a penalty. Saints 14-9 and in this tightest of tight games there was no way back for Wasps. Mallinder could be seen standing near Edwards (guess who was smiling) in what appeared to be some grotesque before and after advertisement. “this is how you could look if you coach international rugby” don’t do it Jim !
I don’t think we should underestimate the importance of this match for Wasps. There is a lot of rugby yet to play but this Saints win may just mean that we don’t have to repeat the effort in the play off semi finals as Wasps just fall short. It has also left Saints with a very firm grip on second place. Maybe also some supporters need to remember that despite all the recent media hype they are watching Rugby FOOTBALL and kicking has a very big part to play in the game. Also Saints are having a fantastic season but still have to work very hard for every win. If players are struggling a bit getting on their backs probably won’t help much. Indeed getting on their backs when they are having a reasonably good game perplexes me entirely.
All in all it was a game dominated by tenacious defence typified by Ashton’s hit on Varndell and Ree’s overall performance for Wasps. Indeed Paul Sackey will probably wish that he had played instead of his sister Alice. She was a tad too slow in her heels being chased down once by Besty and, perhaps one of the moments of the match, by a prop, Brian Mujati.
My man of the match The amazing Wilson. (Although subsequently I discover that Lardy agrees with me so maybe I’ll change to Dickson)
And remember those of little faith. This win was achieved with neither Dowson, Hartley nor Lobbe on the pitch. Saints have struggled to overcome Wasps many, many times in the past. This win was achieved without three of our main leaders and, at least for this writer, was another huge step in the squad’s development.
Northampton Saints - Foden; Ashton, Clarke, Downey, Reihana; Geraghty (Myler 55mins), Dickson (Dickens 47-55mins); Tonga'uiha, Hartley (capt) (Long 40mins), Mujati (Murray 48mins); Lawes, Kruger; Easter, Best, Wilson
Scorers - Try: Wilson; Pen: Reihana, Myler; Drop: Myler
London Wasps- van Gisbergen (Jacobs 40mins); Sackey (Lemi 74mins), Waldouck, Kefu (Walder 59mins), Varndell; Cipriani, Simpson; Payne (Foster 55mins), Webber, Taulafo; Ward-Smith, Skivington; Worsley (Betsen 69mins), Rees (capt), Hart
Scorers - Pens: Cipriani (2), Walder
Match Picture can be found - here
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Stumbleupon28/03/2010 16:59
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A fine, well written article. Thank you, "H".
"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."
Bravo!
Eif - I love what you're trying to achieve
No alcohol for January. I'm a dryathlete in aid of cancer research.
Dryathlon
how could you say i'd even think that, how?
David L
What if there were no hypothetical questions?
- Live wrong and preposterously
Quote:ChrisG
Eh?
It's a reference to Rich's signature, Chris. "Golden Green" by The Wonder Stuff.
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