Saints ease past disappointing Bath

By Stockers
March 17 2003

Northampton Saints travelled to Bath on 15th March 2003 for the second time in seven weeks, riding high from their stunning victory over London Irish in the Powergen Cup semi final. Would the Saints be overconfident when up against another relegation candidate in Bath Rugby?

"Beware the Ides of March" as one little known poet once wrote when penning the play "Julius Caesar", the Roman Emperor who was assassinated on 15 March. Whether Caesar ever visited the Roman CITY of Bath is not known by your writer but The Ides have certainly rubbed off on their rugby club who were so clearly worried about the prospect of Saints' visit that they thought it wise to inform the referee in advance of the game of the various devious tactics that Wayne Smith had coached into his team and the officials had better have a jolly good look at things to make sure Bath were not disadvantaged by actually having to learn to play to the whistle.

For good measure, their skipper, the Bath, England and British Lion player Danny Grewcock took it upon himself to punish any unfair play by the Saints in advance by cuffing a few chaps around the ear. In reality he was very fortunate not to be sent off in the second half when, having been correctly sin binned, along with Saints' Mark Connors, for fighting in the first half, received another caution for punching after the intervention of a touch judge.

And so to the game, on a fine, sunny but chill day in the CITY of Bath and a firm pitch made for fast running rugby.

The Hats on Wheels award this week goes to Bath for an opening 15 minutes when Saints were under intense pressure. However, their defence, a major feature of their play on Saturday, held firm and Bath were denied any points. What was less solid was the Saints scrum, the young front row still learning on the job and conceding penalties for binding/ collapsing offences, being spoken to by Mr Maybank after only 5 minutes.

Bath tried to open their account when Mike Catt, back after injury and being scrutinised by Clive Woodward for possible England selection, fired off a drop goal kick which, if nothing else, kept the grass short as it travelled aimlessly beyond the dead ball line. Ten minutes gone and Saints were now beginning to get into this game. Some tremendous work by the back row, Andy Blowers in particular, meant that scrappy scrummage ball was being controlled better and, eventually, after 15 minutes, Saints were awarded a penalty kick when Bath were pinged for not releasing at the tackle.

A 45 metre kick from Paul Grayson, also under scrutiny from Woodward with an England recall in prospect, sailed goal wards from 45 metres and bisected the posts with a little help from the right hand upright!

Bath tried to counter and shipped the ball out to Wonder Winger Elvis, who was caught, driven backwards and gave away turnover ball to Saints.

Following more Saints pressure, two more penalties were conceded by Bath who received a caution from the referee after the second incident. After 23 minutes it was 0-9 to the visitors after two more faultless kicks from Young Mr Grayson.

After some handbags between the sides on 27 minutes, Bath were awarded a line out from the kick. Despite having two England international locks on the pitch, their throw was delayed so long that Mr Maybank lost the will to live and blew for a free kick to Saints.

With ten minutes of normal time remaining in the half, Budge Pountney was replaced by Grant Seeley for a blood injury. Saints set piece was still under pressure, however and conceding penalties. This area will need intensive care before we meet Gloucester's mighty pack at Twickenham in April.

Both Nick Beal and Grayson were demonstrating the art of touch kicking and the Saints full back boomed a monster clearance from the right hand side to the left touch line, cleverly using the strong cross wind and gaining at least 40 metres.

Finally, the niggle between the sides, which in some players minds was a hang over from the Cup Quarter Final boiled over. Grewcock was reportedly punching Connors on the ground and the Saints player drove into the Bath captain having his scrum cap ripped off in the process. The referee and linesman had a little conference whilst Mr Grewcock showed a worrying side to his character and ripped Connor's headwear into pieces. Presumably he felt better after that!

Both players were sent to the bin for fighting but harder to explain was the referee's decision to penalise Saints. Bath took the three points on offer and virtually at the end of normal time the score moved on to 3-9 to the visitors.

Saints then decided that score line was no reward for their effort and upped the pressure. As we entered injury time, John Leslie eased Bath pressure with a clearing kick to the 22 metre line. Saints were now winning turnover ball regularly and then a Bath knock on led to a Saints scrum near half way on the right flank. The move applied ever more pressure on Bath and quick ball and a chip ahead led to the now traditional try at Bath for Peter Jorgensen. Grayson stroked over a tremendous conversion from the left touch line to take the Saints in at half time with the score 3-16.

In all, a scrappy first half but a demonstration of great Saints defence under strong Bath pressure to begin with. It was a shame that there was too much "argy bargy" going on in the forwards.

The teams returned after the break with Oriel Ripol on for Reihana, who had received a knock in the first half and Budge returning from the field hospital. Connors and his friend came out of the sin bin after only 3 minutes due to the length of injury time played at the end of the first half. After 5 minutes Saints were pinged for offside but Bath missed the kick at goal.

Saints were now trying a few moves and were looking more confident, although Beal was caught in two (or more?) minds fielding a kick and rather than clear, tried to run out of defence. He was tackled, Saints came in from the side and Bath were given the penalty. They chose the line out option and there followed another period of Bath pressure and Saints committed defence. No points to Bath but the referee had to speak to Grewcock again after an incident. Penalty to Saints and Grayson cleared to touch.

Dan Richmond was replaced by Steve Thompson on 15 minutes and Saints stepped up a gear with a great break out by Ripol and then Blowers. Maybe the Spaniard should have backed himself to score but Saints were in control as Bath were penalised for not rolling away after the tackle and after some more niggle between the players, Grayson stepped up to make the score 3-19.

Wally was also putting himself about the field to great effect and is proving to be quite a force as a strike runner and battering ram!

More Saints pressure led to a further penalty kick after 21 minutes and amazingly Grayson missed the kick at goal. He was to miss another kick minutes later but the Saints faithful didn't really mind as the kick was the conversion of the now very traditional Jorgy try against Bath.

Saints were well in control and drove forward, recycling quickly and moved the ball wide to the right wing to find a clear overlap which the Aussie centre exploited to run in the try. Score 3 -24

Saints brought on Seely for Fox, Ian Vass for Dawson and Rob Hunter for Matt Lord after the third quarter whilst Grewcock departed concussed to be replaced by Andy Lloyd. The changes unsettled Saints and Bath got back into the game, mounting a series of attacks on the Saints line. The visitors' well organised defence held firm for long periods until Seely was yellow carded for killing the ball near the Saints goal line and Bath earned the reward for sustained pressure with a converted try. Score 10-24 at the end of normal time.

Saints countered in injury time and won a penalty kick at goal after Bath deliberately knocked the ball on. Grayson stepped up to kick the goal over the head of the watching Clive Woodward. 10 - 27 and the final score for a solid if unspectacular 4 league points to Saints. Worryingly for Bath they are no further away from the drop zone and pessimism abounds at The Rec, if the comments of their supporters after the game are anything to go by.

In Saturday's game, Saints scrum showed it's frailties in the set piece, but well organised defence and never say die attitude led to victory after withstanding the Bath onslaught in the first 20 minutes

Saints are now ten points behind Wasps who are in third place in the Premiership, although with a game in hand over the Wycombe side and whilst a move up the table is possible, that third play-off spot is looking a tad distant.