The Franklins Garden Duck
Chiefs Flag
By LittleMissChief
September 17 2012
The Franklyn Gardens Duck
I got rudely awaken by my alarm at some unearthly hour on Sunday in order to catch the supporters bus which left Apple Lane at 7.30, bound for Northampton. The reason for the early start was apparently due to a miscommunication with the kick off time, which Dartline was not2pm, but3pm.
This was my first ever away trip to Franklyn Gardens, and on the back of the outstanding display from our boys the week earlier against Sale Sharks, I was buzzing with confidence on the fun bus, thinking that the Franklyn Gardens duck would be broken this time, and that the Chiefs would finally get the better of our friends from Northampton in their own back yard. I was really looking forward to watching some rugby in the warm summer sunshine.
The coach pulled up at Franklyn Gardens and after a quick chat to Stuart Barnes, it was off to the local Hostelry for a couple of pints before heading to the stadium to take up position on the Gordon Terrace with the rest of the travelling tribe ready for kick off. With over 12,000 saints fans and around 100 travelling tribe members, getting the tomahawk chop heard was going to be equally as challenging as the match itself. But with voice boxes lubricated and the drums poised, we rose to the challenge and welcomed the Chiefs team onto the pitch, before getting drowned out by “When the Saints come marching in” being sung around the stadium as the Saints team arrived through the players tunnel.
The whistle blew and Mieres kicked off proceedings in the blazing sunshine. With both fly halves missing penalty kicks initially, it was some 20 minutes before we were to see the first points on the scoreboard, courtesy of a Saints try, which Ryan Lamb failed to convert. I was not disheartened as this was only a 5 point deficit. However when Saints went over the whitewash for a second try which was duly converted, we were suddenly 12 points to nil down. Was this going to be a repeat of last year’s results!
I should have known better, as the Chiefs never lie down, and the remaining 10 minutes of the first half was Chiefs, Chiefs, Chiefs. Firstly, there was a sublime break by Tatupu and offload to Dolly resulting in a great try for Dolly, with Mieres adding the extras. This reduced the deficit to 5 points again and we were straight back in the game. The 5 point deficit was soon to be wiped out though due to 2 penalties nailed by Nacho in quick succession for the Chiefs. Suddenly the Chiefs were in the lead by 1 point going into half time.
This lead was to be extended to 4 points early on in the 2nd half when Saints infringed again giving Nacho another penalty kick, which he duly delivered. Saints, however, like the Chiefs are dogged and our lead was short lived. Over the course of the next 30 minutes, the Saints forwards dominated proceedings, particularly with the driving mauls. That passage of play resulted in another 2 tries being scored for them, and in doing so secured them a try bonus point.
It was looking like Chiefs were to be denied even a losing bonus point. But with 2 minutes left on the clock, Sireli found a gap in the Saints defence, made a break, offloaded to Jessy, who switched on the afterburners and touched down in the corner for his third try of the season. We were all willing Steeno to take a quick conversion, which he did and although he missed, it didn’t matter, as there was just enough time for a final restart. Could we be about to experience another infamous Chiefs victory, similar to that of Worcester, Saleand Gloucesterfrom last season? Sadly not in this occasion as Saints were awarded a penalty by JP Doyle in the 81st minute, which brought the curtain down on the match. Chiefs had to settle for a losing bonus point, which I must say was thoroughly deserved.
I would like to wish our walking wounded from that match, Josh and Aly, speedy recoveries.
I really enjoyed my experience atFranklynGardens, it is a great stadium and the Saints fans are friendly and welcoming. This is definitely on my away list for next season, when hopefully we will be able to break the Franklyn Gardens duck.
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Time for a pipe of Old Toby!