2nd XV Secure Eighth Victory

By AlanQuin
January 8 2003

On a crisp and freezing evening the 2nd XV overcame the Northampton/Bedford combination that is the Saints’ Wanderers or 2nd XV by the comfortable margin of 33 points to 17 points.

In doing so, they scored three tries, as did their opponents, but accurate kicking of conversions and a number of penalties left no doubt that revenge was amply exacted for the loss at Franklins Gardens in October last.

Quins made a brisk start and after six minutes a penalty in front of the posts on the 22 metre line allowed Seb Fitzgerald to open the scoring. 3 - 0

Northampton came back quite quickly and a series of quick passes allowed their fly-half, Russell, to score under the posts. The conversion brought the score to 3 - 7. Quins counter-attacked strongly and a good final pass from Fitzgerald put Nick Greenstock through for a good try under the posts. Fitzgerald converted and the score moved to 10 - 7. This was Greenstock’s first appearance since injury two months ago and he appeared to be rapidly regaining the form he showed before his injury.

Quins were obtaining substantial amounts of possession and showing skilful handling and passing. But eventual handling errors led to opportunities to score being wasted by a poor final pass or knock-on. A penalty for crossing about 33 metres out was missed, and was followed shortly after by a yellow card for Karl Rudzki for killing the ball.

Fitzgerald, his kicking action clearly changed to almost mirror Paul Burke’s slow walking approach and metronomic kick, converted another penalty to increase the Quins lead to 13 - 7.

Northampton were not idle. They had increasing amounts of possession and mounted a number of attacks including a dangerous thrust on the wing by Sleightholme which went close to scoring but was well repulsed by the Quins defence. Finally from a scrum on the twenty-two line on the half-hour Satala, with a typical powerful run with at least two tacklers failing to restrain his strong running, forced himself through to score a good try. Fitzgerald added the extra points. 20 - 7.

Further attacks led eventually to another penalty and Fitzgerald having been somewhat battered by a heavy tackle, the kicking duties passed to Gollings who duly scored to bring the half-time score to 23 - 7.

A triple substitution at half-time brought on Scott Bemand (for Powell), Adrian Jarvis (Fitzgerald) and Alex Mockford (Sherriff). After some five minutes, a yellow card removed James Hayter to the sin-bin with Jon Dawson coming on as a front-row substitute while Griffin sat out the suspension with Hayter.

Northampton were clearly seeking to recover the ground and launched a series of attacks which led to a line-out close to the Quins line and eventually Jeffries scored. The conversion was missed. 23 - 12. A penalty to Quins, improved by a further 10 metres for something said by Northampton which incurred the wrath of the referee, enabled Gollings to bring the score to 26 - 12.
Quins then attacked again and a slick reverse pass put Matt Moore away on the right but he took the wrong option by cutting inside and was stopped well short of scoring. Northampton again went on the attack and as the third quarter of the match ended produced a typical try for Sleightholme, the accurate pass being taken by the winger running full tilt along the side-line to score in the corner. Again the conversion failed. 26 - 17.

After Gollings had missed with another penalty attempt, persistent attacks with excellent handling and quick, exciting passing ended with Satala hopping out of the first tackle and running on with another two tacklers eventually falling off him as he crossed for another try. The conversion by Gollings brought the score to 33 -17.

This was another very good win by the 2nd XV. They have now played 12, won 8, drawn 1 and lost only 3. They again showed that they have some very good young prospects for the future and also provided fine entertainment for their increasing band of supporters.