Northampton Saints
News: At Last Saints break the season's away duck
By Jonathan Stockham
March 8 2009
At last! Like a thick fingered man trying to thread a needle or a passenger waiting in hope for a London Midland train to turn up, Northampton Saints came good eventually after failing to win away for 13 games in a row in the Guinness Premiership. Not since the season before relegation have Saints been able to take their impressive home form on the road with any degree of success.
Worcester Warriors v Northampton Saints
Guinness Premiership , Saturday 7 March 2009.
Sixways Stadium, Worcester
Worcester 12, Saints 22
Guinness Premiership , Saturday 7 March 2009.
Sixways Stadium, Worcester
Worcester 12, Saints 22
In an increasingly impressive Sixways Stadium, which has changed considerably since our last visit in 2006/7, the travelling fans witnessed a composed and p
owerful Saints performance in beating Warriors by 3 tries to nil. Saints held the lead from the third minute when fly half Barry Everitt, getting a rare chance to start in the first XV, slotted an early penalty. Everitt showed that there is indeed a perfectly good option in the No 10 shirt in the post Carlos squad. His was a match of calm assurance and sound game management. Barry is not just "The Boot" but the quick hands and the opportunist as demonstrated when setting up the second Saints try on 30 minutes.
Warriors had been attacking from a scrum 10 metres out from Saints line when they turned the ball over. Ben Foden, a potent attacking force all afternoon, grabbed the ball, juggled a bit, passed to Everitt who broke clear from his own goal line and set off up the narrow side. Good support from Paul Diggin and Lee Dickson led to the return pass for Digger to scorch in for a try from somewhere north of Shrewsbury (oh alright, 60 metres), very much against the run of play. Everitt added the conversion as well to add to Saints earlier try.
The first touch down after 21 minutes resulted from a brilliant break by Foden who was nearly away but tackled from behind. Quick recycled ball taken on by James Downey and Courtney Lawes saw Scott Gray in support who burrowed through a gap in the ruck to go over for the try.
At half time Saints led 3 - 15. That Warriors had not troubled the scorer more was not for lack of trying. A very rapid set of backs and occasional steals on Saints' throw at the line out had kept the home team on the front foot for long periods but superb defence and a very determined back row, led by the ultra-reliable Roger Wilson, had held Warriors at bay. Saints had more composure under pressure and even had the confidence as the first half came to an end to throw long at a line out on their 5 metre line for Everitt to calmly boot the ball safe upfield.
The early exchanges in the second half saw Saints being penalised for some very odd offences. Firstly, Wilson was pinged for not rolling away when he was on his feet after the tackle and trying to win the ball from the tackled home player! Three points to Worcester from the boot of Willie Walker.
Then, after a monumental hit by Downey, Warriors knocked on in the tackle. Downey was penalised for not releasing the tackled player! Odd, very odd. However, another 3 points to Warriors and a much closer affair at 9-15 after 16 minutes.
Saints hit back and the pack really got stuck in. Despite winning free kicks and penalties at the scrum, Saints fluffed their lines a couple of times and Foden nearly crossed for a try but the ball was knocked on in contact.
Sub time came and Jon Clarke, still not looking 100%, departed to be replaced by Joe Ansbro, returning after injury.
Worcester upped their game again and only desperate tackling by Saints, including a very big hit by little Digger kept the home side out. Saints put themselves under further pressure when Worcester won a scrum against the head, worked the ball right and Scott Gray went from try scoring hero to sin bin zero when he went for a walk on the offside side at a ruck. Walker slotted the resulting penalty to close the gap further to 12-15 with 12 minutes to go.
Surely Saints couldn't throw the game away now and shatter their fans' hopes and prayers?
More subs arrived with the formidable Lawes leaving to be replaced by Alex Rae and Sean Lamont on for Dickson, Foden moving to 9. Tom Smith, who had been subbed earlier by Soane Tonga'uhia, returned to replace Euan Murray.
Worcester were looking strong with the man advantage and winning penalties for Saints' indiscretions. However, the visitor's defence still held firm and another Digger special on Chris Latham saw the Aussie star knock on, much to his disgust.
Scrum then to Saints with 8 minutes to go and some malarkey by Warriors gave away a free kick. Saints tapped and went, the ball was worked quickly to Downey who ghosted through a gap in the opposition back line and delivered an inch perfect pass to Ansbro. Joe lit the afterburners and sealed the victory for the Saints, touching down by the posts for Everitt to add the extras.
Saints now only had to keep the ball and Warriors were getting desperate, not helped by losing a line out throw 30 metres from Saints' line and then getting pinged soon after for going off their feet at a ruck as they attacked. Steve Myler, on for Everitt who had taken a knock, fired the ball up to the halfway line and allowed the Saints to stay well away from their own line for the rest of the game.
At last then! At last....
The Saints players returned to the pitch from the tunnel to applaud the travelling faithful and reflect on a job well done.
There is still work to be done. It was surprising how often an all international Saints front row got on the wrong side of the ref but this is, as we all know of course, a notoriously difficult area of the game to referee accurately.
However, top marks to the defensive organisation, to the back row, to Downey and Diggin in the backs but particularly Ben Foden who sets a rugby field alight with ball in hand.
The run in to season's end is not an easy one. We have some tough, "top half of the table" opposition to come. But if anything, this first win away from home for too long will help lift the confidence and self belief. Well done boys.
Well done also to the "Boys on Tour" sat around me, sporting Gold Black and Green wigs, which had seen better days (and I don't just mean the wigs!). Countering Worcester's operatic chant of "Come on you Warriors" they responded with "Your Ground's Too Big for You!" to the same tune. Although they proved that their bladders weren't "Quite Big Enough for You", their banter proved you don't need sweary words or to frighten the horses to have fun at a family occasion.
owerful Saints performance in beating Warriors by 3 tries to nil. Saints held the lead from the third minute when fly half Barry Everitt, getting a rare chance to start in the first XV, slotted an early penalty. Everitt showed that there is indeed a perfectly good option in the No 10 shirt in the post Carlos squad. His was a match of calm assurance and sound game management. Barry is not just "The Boot" but the quick hands and the opportunist as demonstrated when setting up the second Saints try on 30 minutes. Warriors had been attacking from a scrum 10 metres out from Saints line when they turned the ball over. Ben Foden, a potent attacking force all afternoon, grabbed the ball, juggled a bit, passed to Everitt who broke clear from his own goal line and set off up the narrow side. Good support from Paul Diggin and Lee Dickson led to the return pass for Digger to scorch in for a try from somewhere north of Shrewsbury (oh alright, 60 metres), very much against the run of play. Everitt added the conversion as well to add to Saints earlier try.
The first touch down after 21 minutes resulted from a brilliant break by Foden who was nearly away but tackled from behind. Quick recycled ball taken on by James Downey and Courtney Lawes saw Scott Gray in support who burrowed through a gap in the ruck to go over for the try.
At half time Saints led 3 - 15. That Warriors had not troubled the scorer more was not for lack of trying. A very rapid set of backs and occasional steals on Saints' throw at the line out had kept the home team on the front foot for long periods but superb defence and a very determined back row, led by the ultra-reliable Roger Wilson, had held Warriors at bay. Saints had more composure under pressure and even had the confidence as the first half came to an end to throw long at a line out on their 5 metre line for Everitt to calmly boot the ball safe upfield.
The early exchanges in the second half saw Saints being penalised for some very odd offences. Firstly, Wilson was pinged for not rolling away when he was on his feet after the tackle and trying to win the ball from the tackled home player! Three points to Worcester from the boot of Willie Walker.
Then, after a monumental hit by Downey, Warriors knocked on in the tackle. Downey was penalised for not releasing the tackled player! Odd, very odd. However, another 3 points to Warriors and a much closer affair at 9-15 after 16 minutes.
Saints hit back and the pack really got stuck in. Despite winning free kicks and penalties at the scrum, Saints fluffed their lines a couple of times and Foden nearly crossed for a try but the ball was knocked on in contact.
Sub time came and Jon Clarke, still not looking 100%, departed to be replaced by Joe Ansbro, returning after injury.
Worcester upped their game again and only desperate tackling by Saints, including a very big hit by little Digger kept the home side out. Saints put themselves under further pressure when Worcester won a scrum against the head, worked the ball right and Scott Gray went from try scoring hero to sin bin zero when he went for a walk on the offside side at a ruck. Walker slotted the resulting penalty to close the gap further to 12-15 with 12 minutes to go.
Surely Saints couldn't throw the game away now and shatter their fans' hopes and prayers?
More subs arrived with the formidable Lawes leaving to be replaced by Alex Rae and Sean Lamont on for Dickson, Foden moving to 9. Tom Smith, who had been subbed earlier by Soane Tonga'uhia, returned to replace Euan Murray.
Worcester were looking strong with the man advantage and winning penalties for Saints' indiscretions. However, the visitor's defence still held firm and another Digger special on Chris Latham saw the Aussie star knock on, much to his disgust.
Scrum then to Saints with 8 minutes to go and some malarkey by Warriors gave away a free kick. Saints tapped and went, the ball was worked quickly to Downey who ghosted through a gap in the opposition back line and delivered an inch perfect pass to Ansbro. Joe lit the afterburners and sealed the victory for the Saints, touching down by the posts for Everitt to add the extras.
Saints now only had to keep the ball and Warriors were getting desperate, not helped by losing a line out throw 30 metres from Saints' line and then getting pinged soon after for going off their feet at a ruck as they attacked. Steve Myler, on for Everitt who had taken a knock, fired the ball up to the halfway line and allowed the Saints to stay well away from their own line for the rest of the game.
At last then! At last....
The Saints players returned to the pitch from the tunnel to applaud the travelling faithful and reflect on a job well done.
There is still work to be done. It was surprising how often an all international Saints front row got on the wrong side of the ref but this is, as we all know of course, a notoriously difficult area of the game to referee accurately.
However, top marks to the defensive organisation, to the back row, to Downey and Diggin in the backs but particularly Ben Foden who sets a rugby field alight with ball in hand.
The run in to season's end is not an easy one. We have some tough, "top half of the table" opposition to come. But if anything, this first win away from home for too long will help lift the confidence and self belief. Well done boys.
Well done also to the "Boys on Tour" sat around me, sporting Gold Black and Green wigs, which had seen better days (and I don't just mean the wigs!). Countering Worcester's operatic chant of "Come on you Warriors" they responded with "Your Ground's Too Big for You!" to the same tune. Although they proved that their bladders weren't "Quite Big Enough for You", their banter proved you don't need sweary words or to frighten the horses to have fun at a family occasion.
Teams:
Warriors - Latham; Gear, Rasmussen, Grove (Benjamin 46mins), Garvey; Walker, M Powell (R Powell 40mins); Mullan, Lutui (Fortey 59mins), Taumoepeau (Morris 67mins), Rawlinson (Kitchener 66mins), Bowley, Talei (Collins 66mins), Sanderson (c), Horstmann.
Scorers: Walker 4P
Saints - Foden; Diggin, Clarke (Ansbro 65mins), Downey, Reihana (capt); Everitt (Myler 76mins), Dickson (Lamont 69mins); Smith (Tonga'uiha 52mins), Hartley, Murray (Smith 70mins), Lawes (Rae 69mins), Kruger, Best, Gray, Wilson.
Scorers: Gray (T), Diggin (T), Ansbro (T), Everitt 2C, 1P
Pictures courtesy EMPICS
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Discussion started by ComeOnYouSaints.com , 08/03/2009 12:30
ComeOnYouSaints.com
08/03/2009 12:30
08/03/2009 12:30
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:12:08:14:24 by Phil..
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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:12:08:14:24 by Phil..
I was lucky enough to sit with the boys on tour as when I was queuing to buy my ticket one of them came up and offered me the ticket of one of their number who hadn't made it and this was at a specially discounted price. You were absolutely correct in the fact that they were determined to enjoy themselves in the best way possible and there banter also seemed to be very much appreciated by some of the Worcester fans. I was quite surprised when one of them lent across to me to tell me that you must be one of the journalists. I had to assure him that they have special seats for that job and you would be writing for COYS very professionally I might add. I was quite surprised to see you drinking coffee whilst Mrs Stockham turned up with Guinness at half time. It was a good game however although not a spectacle for the purists. Downey was tremendous all round and Foden is something special but is always going to be a full back as much as he would like to be a scrum half.
I quite liked the "Bye Bye You Warriors" as the home fans left early. Makes a change from "When The Saints Go Marching Home"...
Quote:Opening paragraph
or a passenger waiting in hope for a London Midland train to turn up
excellent!
SD you are dealing with a publishing organisation that takes these things seriously!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:08:21:58:02 by St Marlowe.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:03:08:21:58:02 by St Marlowe.
Elegantly penned, Stockers.
It sounds as though BE had a great game and released the creative side of the backs.
Barry the Boot becomes Barry the Boss...
It sounds as though BE had a great game and released the creative side of the backs.
Barry the Boot becomes Barry the Boss...
The picture of Digger breaking away clearly illustrates what a lazy look Latham shows when playing with socks round his ankles. I'm glad Saints players don't do that (not noticed anyone so far!). It shows a complete difference in attitude. If you can't be bothered to pull you socks up, can you be bothered to play?
Looks like Dylan(?), on the left of the picture, is chasing harder than Latham!
Looks like Dylan(?), on the left of the picture, is chasing harder than Latham!
tut tut!
just get a pair of ankle socks instead.
I'll correct myself from earlier, I believe I did notice Lobbe with lowered socks when he was filling in as Captain.
just get a pair of ankle socks instead.
I'll correct myself from earlier, I believe I did notice Lobbe with lowered socks when he was filling in as Captain.
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