By Saint Tim
October 1 2010

So second up this season at the Gardens was another titan of English Club rugby in Bath. In many ways it was a pity that the game was moved to Friday night as it compresses the build up to the game and thus the enjoyment. I do like watching under the floodlights but a Friday games always feels so rushed.

Bath started last season very slowly but turned their season around finishing very strongly in fourth place losing out in the semi final away at Tigers.  At this early stage of the season they were the only other unbeaten team so this truly was a table top clash.

Now I am sure a lot of clubs might have struggled, even against Bath, to pull in a big crowd on a Friday night – especially with under 200 tickets sold to visiting fans BUT once again the Gardens was packed and the atmosphere was electric. 

One thing that wasn’t rushed, table topping or electric was the service in the Rodbar.  Now I am used to big queues – we are after all a popular drinking establishment on game days – but whilst the queues were normal size the time taken to get served was excessive.  I don’t like to criticise the club but it was not the standard I expect.  It was with just seconds to spare that I got served and headed to my seat.  Things did not look good as we kicked of down the eiger and were thus facing a second half slog up the hill.  Bath, however didn’t seem to notice it from the kick off as some smart handling slipped the ball to the wing in acres of space and it was only desperate scrambling defence that stopped an early try.

Who caught your eye under the lights as Saints gave Bath a drubbing?

Fortunately that was about the most dangerous that Bath looked for the rest of the first half as Saints slowly ground their way into the game.  A couple of Geraghty penalties mid way through the half settled the nerves and then on twenty five minutes after some impressive forward play Phil Dowson picked up at the base of a ruck and spotting the lack of a pillar defender dived over to score.  Unfortunately this wasn’t converted and on the stroke of half time Ollie Barkley stroked over a penalty to leave the score 11 – 3 at the break.  So I felt comfortable, but a little nervous, as it was all still to play for.

If anything I cut it even finer on the way back to my seat for the second half – emerging from the Rodbar just as the restart was about to happen.  I quickly got to a place I could view the action – without disturbing my neighbours by getting back to my seat during the action.  I didn’t have long to wait for a break in the action as Saints recovered the kick off, drove up field (just in front of me as it happens) and Dowson broke off the side of the maul, dummied to Dickson making space to get in behind the Bath line before passing to Ashton who lit the after burners to score.  This try, again unconverted, seemed to deflate Bath and from that point on they looked out of the game.  The worrying thing for the evening was Chris Ashton picking up a knock which it looked as if he tried to run off.  Perhaps this was just to give time for the replacement to warm up, but even on one leg he managed to go over for he second and Saints third of the evening.  At this point we started to make regular substitutions which always seems to hit our shape but despite this Saints managed to create the space to put Ansbro (on for Ashton) through for the bonus point score which Myler duly converted.  So the game was done and dusted – apart for a few moments of madness when the defence went to sleep and let Bath in for what was a consolation try.  So a final score of 31 -10 and a bonus point win.  What more could one ask for?  

So, who caught the eye?

This week five separate players caught the eye.  Lee Dickson put in another all action performance and got 10.6 %.  Lee is another one of the Saints youthful team who is or should be knocking on the door of the EPS group.  His performances have come on leaps and bounds and now behind a pack who is dominating at times he looks real class.  Lee was the only one with a number higher than 8 on his back who caught the eye and this on a day when the back division scored 3 tries.

The first amongst the forwards to be noticed was Phil Dowson, with another performance that leaves me bewildered how he isn’t in the EPS squad.  Phil got 11.7% of the votes. 

Christian Day with 13.8% of the votes continued his good run of form.  It was his take from the second half kick off that set up the first try for Ashton.  Christian is making a real impact on his return from injury. 

Finally in the runners up was Dylan Hartley with a captain’s performance.  Dylan was coolness personified and led from the front in great style.  Watching the front five put opponents to the sword is great to watch.

The winner however, and the third new winner in three weeks, was Brian – the Moooj – Mujati.  Brian is making a real name for himself.  He is dynamic around the park as well as becoming a very effective scrummager.  In Brian and Soane we have two of the most mobile and destructive props around.  It must make Euan worried about getting his place back.  Well done the Moooj, I suspect this will not be the last win you have this season.

A special thanks to X-Block Dave for this picture of the Moooj on the hoof.

Finally thanks to the 94 people who voted.

To see the full results and analysis please click through to the following page.

Saints V Bath MoTM

Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 01/10/2010 14:48

ComeOnYouSaints.com
01/10/2010 14:48

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Phil.
01/10/2010 15:20

A fine read, Tim!

"It's not the despair, Saints, I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."

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Saint Tim
01/10/2010 15:36

Thanks Phil.



“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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Howlin
01/10/2010 22:14

I don't think I voted for him, but a fine win by the Mooj. And what a great pic from X block Dave. Keep up the good work Tim !

Saint til I die

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