Jorgensen in the late late show seals classic.

By Chris G
January 27 2003

And the Saints go marching on, on, on!!! Yes it was that man Jorgy again who combined with Matt Dawson to recreate the late Biarritz try that saw Saints edge past Bath to reach the last four of the Powergen Cup. Now last years winners Irish await at Oxfords Kassam Stadium.

On a sunlit Recreation Ground the Saints, followed by around 2000 supporters, set their stall out early after recent concerns over their scrummaging. A first minute set piece after Bath failed even to take the kick off correctly saw both front rows erupt with Trowbridge born Danny Richmond flying 'hats on wheels' style into his opposite number the ever strutting Jonathan Humphreys.

But once everyone had kissed and made up it was Bath, for whom Mike Catt was outstanding, who took the early initiative storming into an quick 16-3 lead from a well worked Gareth Cooper try and eleven points from the boot of Ollie Barkley.

Saints though despite this setback started to dig their way out as both sides tried to play enterprising rugby despite the erratic and sometimes downright confusing actions of the match officials. Despite making inroads deep into Bath territory Saints were failing in the final execution until on 20 minutes Peter Jorgensen picked off and inside ball and slipped pass Kevin Maggs to make ten metres. Ben Cohen hit the angle and took the ball on a diagonal run from provider Jorgy to storm in for his first of a brace on his 150th appearance for the club.

The conversion by Larry brought them back within touching distance and a matter of minutes later had a hand (but mostly his boot) as the Saints stormed forward again to finally put themselves in front for the first time. Catt was adjudged to impeded his fellow flyhalf on a chase to line and while the home side were arguing the toss or admiring the beautiful sunset over Bath Abbey young Mr Grayson caught them unawares.

A beautifully flighted crossfield kick dropped into the hands of wide receiver Cohen who just had to place the ball down for the score. A wit in the crowd remarked that even Matt Stewart would have got that but I'd like to think that 'Muttley' would have sidestepped the sliding defender and scored under the posts to make Larrys conversion attempt easier. Luckily Grays didn't need the assist as he converted wide out to put Saints in the lead for the first time with the half running down.

However just when you would expect the Saints to tighten up and build on the slender lead Bath, who in truth hadn't had a cohesive attack for the last quarter of an hour drove up field and from a lineout take at the tail and a few pairs of quick hands prop David Barnes shimmied through to score and return advantage to the home side going into the break with a six point lead.

The second half was punctuated by a flurrie of penalties, and fists. Both Mr Grewcock and an inspired (for some strange reason) Deso Connors, who was clearly goaded by more than one Bath player when they too the lead, were asked to cool their heels for the mandatory ten after a disagreement while Mr Humphreys was lucky not to be seeing red after his assault of the shy and retiring Matt Dawson.

Grays and Barkley exchanged kicks but the six point gap still had Bath looking favourites for that semi final spot with the clock running down. Step up Daws and Jorgy for the late late show (yet again!)

Despite having two earlier 'tries' disallowed by the pedantic Mr Lander the Saints stuck to task and were camped in the Bath twenty two for a full ten minutes until the Wallaby and the England scrumhalf pulled off their little reverse flick pass again like a dream with time rapidly running out.

In the post match interview Jorgy said he had 'white line fever' after pulling games back from the brink with late tries three times in the last month. Well if he carries on in this rich vein we may have to rename him Pablo Escobar!

Larry converted to put Saints back into that slender lead for the first time that half and despite a late dropgoal attempt by Catt that fell well wide the Saints held on and head for that game in Oxford on March 2nd.

See you there folks!


NORTHAMPTON: Nick Beal; Bruce Reihana, Peter Jorgensen, John Leslie, Ben Cohen; Paul Grayson, Matt Dawson; Tam Smith, Dan Richmond (Steve Thompson), Matt Stewart (Chris Budgen), Rob Hunter (Steve Williams), Matt Lord, Andy Blowers (Grant Seely), Budge Pountney, Mark Connors

BATH: M Perry (T Voyce); S Danielli, K Maggs, M Tindall, O Barkley; M Catt, G Cooper; D Barnes (S Emms), J Humphreys (L Mears), J Mallett (A Galasso), S Borthwick, D Grewcock A Beattie (G Thomas), A Vander (J Scaysbrook), N Thomas.